Vauxhall Nova (1992)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 571 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,033

£169/month

MOT Pass Rate

89%

Good

Road Tax

£230

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 8-20

1367cc Petrol

Solid Option

89% pass rate, £2,033/year to run. 7 points above average.

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

£4.99

Check a specific Vauxhall Nova

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

Petrol1367cc34 years old571 tests56k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1367cc)

~42 mpg

£1,398

Road Tax

Pre-2001 engine size rate

£230

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£350

Total per year£2,033

Per month£169/mo

Per week£39/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

Reliability Verdict

89% MOT pass rate(Good)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's 7 points above the average of 82% across all models in our data. It also outperforms the Vauxhall brand average of 84%.

89% of MOT tests on Vauxhall Novas from 1992 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 32 years old. That's based on 571 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 55,783 miles.

Got a Vauxhall Nova you're looking at?

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

How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1992 models21st of 172(top 13%)

Rank among Vauxhall models333rd of 870(top half)

vs average of all models+7%(82% avg)

vs 1992 models average+12%(77% avg)

vs Vauxhall average+5%(84% avg)

Mileage Analysis

55,783

Average miles

236,800

Expected for age

The average 1992 Vauxhall Nova had 55,783 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is significantly below the expected 236,800 miles for a 32-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

Looking at a specific Vauxhall Nova?

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

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

Volkswagen Golf

1991 · 1781cc Petrol

£2,411/year

80%

-9%

Rover Mini

1990 · 998cc Petrol

£1,810/year

80%

-9%

Ford Escort

1990 · 1597cc Petrol

£2,178/year

85%

-4%

Peugeot 205

1990 · 1360cc Petrol

£2,033/year

80%

-9%

Check a Specific Vauxhall Nova

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.

About the 1992 Vauxhall Nova

The 1992 Vauxhall Nova is a small family car. Our records list a 1367cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 571 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a less common model in the UK market. It ranks in the top 13% of all 1992 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 55,783 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, 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.

1992 Vauxhall Nova Fuel Costs

The 1367cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 42 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,398 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 1992 Vauxhall Nova?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,033 (£169/month), broken down as £1,398 fuel, £230 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 89% 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 1992 Vauxhall Nova

At 34 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.

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

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 1992 Vauxhall Nova stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Vauxhall Nova(1992)	89%	£1,398	£230	Grp 8-20	£2,033
Volkswagen Golf(1991)	80%	£1,631	£375	Grp 18-32	£2,411+£378
Rover Mini(1990)	80%	£1,175	£230	Grp 1-8	£1,810-£223
Ford Escort(1990)	85%	£1,398	£375	Grp 12-25	£2,178+£145
Peugeot 205(1990)	80%	£1,398	£230	Grp 8-20	£2,033same

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 1992 Vauxhall Nova

Is the 1992 Vauxhall Nova reliable?

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. 89% of MOT tests on 1992 Vauxhall Novas ended in a pass, from 571 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 7 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 1992 Vauxhall Nova cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,033 a year (£169 a month): £1,398 fuel, £230 road tax, £55 MOT and £350 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1992 Vauxhall Nova?

89% of 571 MOT tests on the 1992 Vauxhall Nova ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 21st of 172 models first registered in 1992 (top 13%).

Which year Vauxhall Nova has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 1992 Vauxhall Nova has the highest MOT pass rate at 89% and the 1993 the lowest at 81%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 1992 Vauxhall Nova?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 1992 Vauxhall Nova is 55,783 miles, which is significantly below the expected 236,800 miles for a 32-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.