CarCostCheck

VAUXHALL NOVA (1992)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 571 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,737

£145/month

MOT Pass Rate

89%

Good

Road Tax

£195

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 8-20

1367cc Petrol

Solid Option

89% pass rate, £1737/year to run. 7 points above average.

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Petrol1367cc34 years old571 tests56k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1367cc)

~42 mpg

£1,137
Road Tax

Based on 1367cc

£195
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs
£350
Total per year£1,737
Per month£145/mo
Per week£33/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

89% MOT pass rate(Good)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's 7 points above the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the VAUXHALL brand average of 84%.

At 34 years old, 89% of VAUXHALL NOVAs from 1992 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 571 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 55,783 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1992 cars21th of 178(top 12%)
Rank among VAUXHALL models334th of 882(top 38%)
vs national average+7%(82% avg)
vs 1992 cars average+12%(77% avg)
vs VAUXHALL average+5%(84% avg)

Mileage Analysis

55,783

Average miles

vs

251,600

Expected for age

The average 1992 VAUXHALL NOVA has 55,783 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 251,600 miles for a 34-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 NOVA by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
199381%16256,463 mi
199289%57155,783 mi
199183%40467,880 mi
199082%23953,270 mi

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About the 1992 VAUXHALL NOVA

The 1992 VAUXHALL NOVA is a small family car with a 1367cc petrol engine. 571 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a less common model in the UK market. It ranks in the top 12% of all 1992 cars for reliability.

With an average of 55,783 miles at 34 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.

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 £1,137 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 1992 VAUXHALL NOVA?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,737 145/month), broken down as £1137 fuel, £195 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

Based on the 1992 VAUXHALL NOVA's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

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 annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
VAUXHALL NOVA(1992)89%£1137£195Grp 8-20£1737
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(1991)80%£1327£135Grp 18-32£1867+£130
ROVER MINI(1990)80%£955£30Grp 1-8£1390-£347
FORD ESCORT(1990)85%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1677-£60
PEUGEOT 205(1990)80%£1137£30Grp 8-20£1572-£165

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 Nova.

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