How much does a 1997 VAUXHALL MONTEREY cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £2,757 (£230/month), including £1592 fuel, £760 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1997 VAUXHALL MONTEREY?

The 1997 VAUXHALL MONTEREY has a 88% MOT pass rate based on 40 tests in 2026. This ranks 46 out of 320 cars from 1997.

Which year VAUXHALL MONTEREY is most reliable?

The 1998 VAUXHALL MONTEREY has the highest MOT pass rate at 65%. The least reliable year is 1996 at 62%.

VAUXHALL MONTEREY (1997)

Q: Is the 1997 VAUXHALL MONTEREY reliable?

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. 88% of VAUXHALL MONTEREYs from 1997 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 40 tests. That's 6 points above the national average of 82%.

Q: What is the average mileage for a 1997 VAUXHALL MONTEREY?

The average mileage for a 1997 VAUXHALL MONTEREY is 165,157 miles, which is below the expected 214,600 miles for a 29-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 40 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,757

£230/month

MOT Pass Rate

88%

Good

Road Tax

£760

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 35-50

3165cc Petrol

Solid Option

88% pass rate, £2757/year to run. 6 points above average.

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Petrol3165cc29 years old40 tests165k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 3165cc)

~30 mpg

£1,592

Road Tax

Based on 3165cc

£760

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£350

Total per year£2,757

Per month£230/mo

Per week£53/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

88% MOT pass rate(Good)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's 6 points above the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the VAUXHALL brand average of 84%.

At 29 years old, 88% of VAUXHALL MONTEREYs from 1997 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 40 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 165,157 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1997 cars46th of 320(top 14%)

Rank among VAUXHALL models400th of 882(top 45%)

vs national average+6%(82% avg)

vs 1997 cars average+13%(75% avg)

vs VAUXHALL average+4%(84% avg)

Mileage Analysis

165,157

Average miles

214,600

Expected for age

The average 1997 VAUXHALL MONTEREY has 165,157 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 214,600 miles for a 29-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 1998 model with a 65% MOT pass rate, while the 1996 model has the lowest at 62%. The 1997 sits between the two at 88%.

VAUXHALL MONTEREY by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
1998	65%	166	161,177 mi
1997	88%	40	165,157 mi
1996	62%	119	123,778 mi
1995	63%	70	157,106 mi
1994	72%	39	120,964 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

BMW Z3

1999 · 3201cc Petrol

£2,397/year

78%

-10%

PORSCHE 911

1999 · 3387cc Petrol

£2,247/year

87%

-1%

PORSCHE BOXSTER

1999 · 2687cc Petrol

£2,247/year

81%

-7%

MERCEDES C

1999 · 2799cc Petrol

£2,247/year

82%

-6%

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About the 1997 VAUXHALL MONTEREY

The 1997 VAUXHALL MONTEREY is a performance with a 3165cc petrol engine. 40 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It ranks in the top 14% of all 1997 cars for reliability.

With an average of 165,157 miles at 29 years old, VAUXHALL MONTEREY owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

1997 VAUXHALL MONTEREY Fuel Costs

The 3165cc petrol engine is on the larger side, so fuel won't be this car's strong point. Expect around 30 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,592 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 1997 VAUXHALL MONTEREY?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,757 (£230/month), broken down as £1592 fuel, £760 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 88% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

VAUXHALL MONTEREY Reliability Trend

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

Buying a Used 1997 VAUXHALL MONTEREY

At 29 years old, the VAUXHALL MONTEREY 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 1998 model has the highest pass rate at 65%. Note: with only 40 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1997 VAUXHALL MONTEREY's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 29 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.

Oil Consumption

Medium risk

Larger petrol engines can develop higher oil consumption as they age. Check the oil level and look for blue smoke from the exhaust.

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 165k 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.

Engine Mounts

Medium risk

Worn engine mounts cause excessive vibration and movement. Replacement costs £150-£400 per mount. Check for vibration at idle with the bonnet open.

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 1997 VAUXHALL MONTEREY stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
VAUXHALL MONTEREY(1997)	88%	£1592	£760	Grp 35-50	£2757
BMW Z3(1999)	78%	£1592	£250	Grp 35-50	£2397-£360
PORSCHE 911(1999)	87%	£1592	£250	Grp 35-50	£2247-£510
PORSCHE BOXSTER(1999)	81%	£1592	£250	Grp 30-42	£2247-£510
MERCEDES C(1999)	82%	£1592	£250	Grp 30-42	£2247-£510

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.