CarCostCheck

VAUXHALL CAVALIER (1995)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 807 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,197

£183/month

MOT Pass Rate

74%

Average

Road Tax

£315

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1998cc Petrol

Check Carefully

74% pass rate, £2197/year to run. 8 points below average.

Buying this car? Check for finance, write-offs & theft
£4.99

Check a specific VAUXHALL CAVALIER

Enter a reg plate for full MOT history, mileage check, health score, running costs, and reliability data. Free, instant, no signup.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

Petrol1998cc31 years old807 tests118k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1998cc)

~36 mpg

£1,327
Road Tax

Based on 1998cc

£315
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£500
Total per year£2,197
Per month£183/mo
Per week£42/wk

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

🛡️

Get an insurance quote for this VAUXHALL CAVALIER

Compare quotes and find the best deal

Reliability Verdict

74% MOT pass rate(Average)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 8 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the VAUXHALL brand average of 84%.

At 31 years old, 74% of VAUXHALL CAVALIERs from 1995 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 807 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 118,296 miles.

Got a VAUXHALL CAVALIER you're looking at?

Enter the reg plate to check its specific MOT history, mileage, and health score.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1995 cars132th of 228(top 58%)
Rank among VAUXHALL models695th of 882(top 79%)
vs national average-8%(82% avg)
vs 1995 cars average-2%(76% avg)
vs VAUXHALL average-10%(84% avg)

Mileage Analysis

118,296

Average miles

vs

229,400

Expected for age

The average 1995 VAUXHALL CAVALIER has 118,296 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 229,400 miles for a 31-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Looking at a specific VAUXHALL CAVALIER?

Enter its reg plate for a free check with full MOT history, mileage verification, and predicted costs.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 1990 model with a 85% MOT pass rate, while the 1995 model has the lowest at 74%. Consider a different year if reliability is a priority.

VAUXHALL CAVALIER by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
199574%807118,296 mi
199480%543112,299 mi
199384%583115,687 mi
199284%26493,740 mi
199182%14887,153 mi
199085%129108,560 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Check a Specific Vauxhall Cavalier

Enter a reg plate to get the full MOT history, health score, and mileage verification.

Upgrade to Premium (£4.99) for stolen, finance, and write-off checks.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

About the 1995 VAUXHALL CAVALIER

The 1995 VAUXHALL CAVALIER is a family car with a 1998cc petrol engine. 807 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a less common model in the UK market. Among all cars from 1995, the average MOT pass rate is 76%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 118,296 miles at 31 years old, VAUXHALL CAVALIER owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

1995 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 1995 VAUXHALL CAVALIER?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,197 183/month), broken down as £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 74% 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 1995 VAUXHALL CAVALIER

At 31 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 1995 VAUXHALL CAVALIER's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 31 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 118k 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 1995 VAUXHALL CAVALIER stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
VAUXHALL CAVALIER(1995)74%£1327£315Grp 18-32£2197
VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER(1996)67%£1592£250Grp 25-38£2597+£400
MAZDA MX-5(1997)76%£1327£135Grp 18-32£2017-£180
BMW Z3(1997)75%£1327£135Grp 18-32£2017-£180
BMW 3 SERIES(1997)79%£1592£250Grp 25-38£2397+£200

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.

Related Vauxhall Models

Explore other Vauxhall cars or similar models in the same category.

Related Guides

In-depth articles relevant to the Vauxhall Cavalier.

Check a specific VAUXHALL CAVALIER

Enter the reg to see its MOT history, mileage check, and predicted costs.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

Premium History Check

Buying a VAUXHALL CAVALIER? Our premium check covers:

  • Stolen check (PNC)
  • Outstanding finance
  • Write-off history (Cat A/B/N/S)
  • Previous owners count
Just £4.99 per check

Competitors charge £10-£20 for the same data

Share this page

X
GB