How much does a 1991 VAUXHALL NOVA cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £1,380 (£115/month), including £955 fuel, £20 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs.

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

The 1991 VAUXHALL NOVA has a 83% MOT pass rate based on 404 tests in 2026. This ranks 71 out of 179 cars from 1991.

Which year VAUXHALL NOVA is most reliable?

The 1992 VAUXHALL NOVA has the highest MOT pass rate at 89%. The least reliable year is 1993 at 81%.

VAUXHALL NOVA (1991)

Q: Is the 1991 VAUXHALL NOVA reliable?

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. 83% of VAUXHALL NOVAs from 1991 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 404 tests. That's 1 points above the national average of 82%.

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

The average mileage for a 1991 VAUXHALL NOVA is 67,880 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 404 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,380

£115/month

MOT Pass Rate

83%

Good

Road Tax

£20

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 1-8

993cc Petrol

Solid Option

83% pass rate, £1380/year to run. Close to the national average.

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Petrol993cc35 years old404 tests68k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 993cc)

~50 mpg

£955

Road Tax

Based on 993cc

£20

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£350

Total per year£1,380

Per month£115/mo

Per week£27/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

83% 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, 83% of VAUXHALL NOVAs from 1991 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 404 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 67,880 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1991 cars71th of 179(top 40%)

Rank among VAUXHALL models527th of 882(top 60%)

vs national average+1%(82% avg)

vs 1991 cars average+5%(78% avg)

vs VAUXHALL average-1%(84% avg)

Mileage Analysis

67,880

Average miles

259,000

Expected for age

The average 1991 VAUXHALL NOVA has 67,880 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 89% MOT pass rate, while the 1993 model has the lowest at 81%. The 1991 sits between the two at 83%.

VAUXHALL NOVA by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
1993	81%	162	56,463 mi
1992	89%	571	55,783 mi
1991	83%	404	67,880 mi
1990	82%	239	53,270 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

ROVER MINI

1990 · 998cc Petrol

£1,390/year

80%

-3%

PEUGEOT 205

1990 · 1360cc Petrol

£1,572/year

80%

-3%

NISSAN FIGARO

1991 · 980cc Petrol

£1,540/year

79%

-4%

FORD FIESTA

1991 · 999cc Petrol

£1,390/year

84%

+1%

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About the 1991 VAUXHALL NOVA

The 1991 VAUXHALL NOVA is a city car with a 993cc petrol engine. 404 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a less common model in the UK market. Among all cars from 1991, the average MOT pass rate is 78%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 67,880 miles at 35 years old, VAUXHALL NOVA 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 NOVA Fuel Costs

The modest 993cc petrol engine keeps fuel costs low, which is a real advantage for a city car. Expect around 50 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £955 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 NOVA?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,380 (£115/month), broken down as £955 fuel, £20 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 83% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

VAUXHALL NOVA Reliability Trend

The VAUXHALL NOVA has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 3 percentage points.

Buying a Used 1991 VAUXHALL NOVA

At 35 years old, the VAUXHALL NOVA 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 89%.

Common Issues to Watch For

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

Coil Pack Failure

Medium risk

Smaller petrol engines are prone to ignition coil failures, causing misfires and rough running. Replacement is £50-£150 per coil.

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.

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 NOVA stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
VAUXHALL NOVA(1991)	83%	£955	£20	Grp 1-8	£1380
ROVER MINI(1990)	80%	£955	£30	Grp 1-8	£1390+£10
PEUGEOT 205(1990)	80%	£1137	£30	Grp 8-20	£1572+£192
NISSAN FIGARO(1991)	79%	£955	£30	Grp 1-8	£1540+£160
FORD FIESTA(1991)	84%	£955	£30	Grp 1-8	£1390+£10

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.