How much does a 1990 VAUXHALL CAVALIER 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 1990 VAUXHALL CAVALIER?

The 1990 VAUXHALL CAVALIER has a 85% MOT pass rate based on 129 tests in 2026. This ranks 53 out of 190 cars from 1990.

Which year VAUXHALL CAVALIER is most reliable?

The 1990 VAUXHALL CAVALIER has the highest MOT pass rate at 85%. The least reliable year is 1995 at 74%.

VAUXHALL CAVALIER (1990)

Q: Is the 1990 VAUXHALL CAVALIER reliable?

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. 85% of VAUXHALL CAVALIERs from 1990 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 129 tests. That's 3 points above the national average of 82%.

Q: What is the average mileage for a 1990 VAUXHALL CAVALIER?

The average mileage for a 1990 VAUXHALL CAVALIER is 108,560 miles, which is significantly below the expected 266,400 miles for a 36-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 129 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,047

£171/month

MOT Pass Rate

85%

Good

Road Tax

£315

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1998cc Petrol

Solid Option

85% pass rate, £2047/year to run. Close to the national average.

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Petrol1998cc36 years old129 tests109k 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

85% 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 36 years old, 85% of VAUXHALL CAVALIERs from 1990 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 129 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 108,560 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1990 cars53th of 190(top 28%)

Rank among VAUXHALL models484th of 882(top 55%)

vs national average+3%(82% avg)

vs 1990 cars average+6%(79% avg)

vs VAUXHALL average+1%(84% avg)

Mileage Analysis

108,560

Average miles

266,400

Expected for age

The average 1990 VAUXHALL CAVALIER has 108,560 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 266,400 miles for a 36-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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VAUXHALL CAVALIER by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
1995	74%	807	118,296 mi
1994	80%	543	112,299 mi
1993	84%	583	115,687 mi
1992	84%	264	93,740 mi
1991	82%	148	87,153 mi
1990	85%	129	108,560 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

1991 · 1781cc Petrol

£1,867/year

80%

-5%

BMW 3 SERIES

1990 · 1990cc Petrol

£1,867/year

84%

-1%

FORD ESCORT

1990 · 1597cc Petrol

£1,677/year

85%

same

MAZDA MX-5

1991 · 1597cc Petrol

£1,827/year

78%

-7%

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About the 1990 VAUXHALL CAVALIER

The 1990 VAUXHALL CAVALIER is a family car with a 1998cc petrol engine. 129 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all cars from 1990, the average MOT pass rate is 79%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 108,560 miles at 36 years old, VAUXHALL CAVALIER 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.

1990 VAUXHALL CAVALIER 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 1990 VAUXHALL CAVALIER?

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 85% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

VAUXHALL CAVALIER Reliability Trend

Older VAUXHALL CAVALIERs tend to have better MOT pass rates than newer ones, with an average decline of 4 percentage points across model years.

Buying a Used 1990 VAUXHALL CAVALIER

At 36 years old, the VAUXHALL CAVALIER 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.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1990 VAUXHALL CAVALIER's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 36 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

Watch out

With an average of 109k 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 1990 VAUXHALL CAVALIER stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
VAUXHALL CAVALIER(1990)	85%	£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.