How much does a 1991 VAUXHALL CARLTON cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £2,047 (£171/month), including £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1991 VAUXHALL CARLTON?

The 1991 VAUXHALL CARLTON has a 87% MOT pass rate based on 127 tests in 2026. This ranks 48 out of 179 cars from 1991.

Which year VAUXHALL CARLTON is most reliable?

The 1992 VAUXHALL CARLTON has the highest MOT pass rate at 90%. The least reliable year is 1993 at 82%.

VAUXHALL CARLTON (1991)

Q: Is the 1991 VAUXHALL CARLTON reliable?

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. 87% of VAUXHALL CARLTONs from 1991 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 127 tests. That's 5 points above the national average of 82%.

Q: What is the average mileage for a 1991 VAUXHALL CARLTON?

The average mileage for a 1991 VAUXHALL CARLTON is 99,575 miles, which is significantly below the expected 259,000 miles for a 35-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 127 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,047

£171/month

MOT Pass Rate

87%

Good

Road Tax

£315

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1998cc Petrol

Solid Option

87% pass rate, £2047/year to run. 5 points above average.

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Petrol1998cc35 years old127 tests100k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1998cc)

~36 mpg

£1,327

Road Tax

Based on 1998cc

£315

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£350

Total per year£2,047

Per month£171/mo

Per week£39/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

87% MOT pass rate(Good)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's close to the national average of 82%.

At 35 years old, 87% of VAUXHALL CARLTONs from 1991 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 127 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 99,575 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1991 cars48th of 179(top 27%)

Rank among VAUXHALL models426th of 882(top 48%)

vs national average+5%(82% avg)

vs 1991 cars average+9%(78% avg)

vs VAUXHALL average+3%(84% avg)

Mileage Analysis

99,575

Average miles

259,000

Expected for age

The average 1991 VAUXHALL CARLTON has 99,575 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 259,000 miles for a 35-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 1992 model with a 90% MOT pass rate, while the 1993 model has the lowest at 82%. The 1991 sits between the two at 87%.

VAUXHALL CARLTON by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
1994	79%	39	133,691 mi
1993	82%	200	104,327 mi
1992	90%	81	79,051 mi
1991	87%	127	99,575 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

1991 · 1781cc Petrol

£1,867/year

80%

-7%

BMW 3 SERIES

1990 · 1990cc Petrol

£1,867/year

84%

-3%

FORD ESCORT

1990 · 1597cc Petrol

£1,677/year

85%

-2%

MAZDA MX-5

1991 · 1597cc Petrol

£1,827/year

78%

-9%

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About the 1991 VAUXHALL CARLTON

The 1991 VAUXHALL CARLTON is a family car with a 1998cc petrol engine. 127 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all cars from 1991, the average MOT pass rate is 78%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 99,575 miles at 35 years old, VAUXHALL CARLTON owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver. Very low mileage could mean the car has been garaged or used only for short trips, which can cause its own issues like battery drain and moisture buildup.

1991 VAUXHALL CARLTON Fuel Costs

The 1998cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 36 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,327 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 1991 VAUXHALL CARLTON?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,047 (£171/month), broken down as £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 87% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

VAUXHALL CARLTON Reliability Trend

The VAUXHALL CARLTON has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 1 percentage points.

Buying a Used 1991 VAUXHALL CARLTON

At 35 years old, the VAUXHALL CARLTON is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 1992 model has the highest pass rate at 90%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1991 VAUXHALL CARLTON's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 35 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Clutch Wear

Medium risk

With an average of 100k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 1991 VAUXHALL CARLTON stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
VAUXHALL CARLTON(1991)	87%	£1327	£315	Grp 18-32	£2047
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(1991)	80%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£1867-£180
BMW 3 SERIES(1990)	84%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£1867-£180
FORD ESCORT(1990)	85%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1677-£370
MAZDA MX-5(1991)	78%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1827-£220

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.