Vauxhall Nova (1993)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 162 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,033

£169/month

MOT Pass Rate

81%

Good

Road Tax

£230

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 8-20

1389cc Petrol

Solid Option

81% pass rate, £2,033/year to run. Close to the average across all models.

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Petrol1389cc33 years old162 tests56k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1389cc)

~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

81% MOT pass rate(Good)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's close to the average of 82% across all models in our data.

81% of MOT tests on Vauxhall Novas from 1993 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 31 years old. That's based on 162 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 56,463 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1993 models71st of 188(top half)

Rank among Vauxhall models571st of 870(bottom half)

vs average of all models-1%(82% avg)

vs 1993 models average+5%(76% avg)

vs Vauxhall average-3%(84% avg)

Mileage Analysis

56,463

Average miles

229,400

Expected for age

The average 1993 Vauxhall Nova had 56,463 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is significantly below the expected 229,400 miles for a 31-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?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 1992 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 89%, while the 1993 model has the lowest at 81%. Consider a different year if reliability is a priority. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

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%

-1%

Rover Mini

1993 · 1275cc Petrol

£2,183/year

74%

-7%

Mazda MX-5

1995 · 1840cc Petrol

£2,561/year

74%

-7%

BMW 3 Series

1991 · 1796cc Petrol

£2,411/year

82%

+1%

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About the 1993 Vauxhall Nova

The 1993 Vauxhall Nova is a small family car. Our records list a 1389cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 162 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all models from 1993, the average MOT pass rate is 76%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 56,463 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.

1993 Vauxhall Nova Fuel Costs

The 1389cc 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 1993 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 81% 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 1993 Vauxhall Nova

At 33 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 1993 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(1993)	81%	£1,398	£230	Grp 8-20	£2,033
Volkswagen Golf(1991)	80%	£1,631	£375	Grp 18-32	£2,411+£378
Rover Mini(1993)	74%	£1,398	£230	Grp 8-20	£2,183+£150
Mazda MX-5(1995)	74%	£1,631	£375	Grp 18-32	£2,561+£528
BMW 3 Series(1991)	82%	£1,631	£375	Grp 18-32	£2,411+£378

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 1993 Vauxhall Nova

Is the 1993 Vauxhall Nova reliable?

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. 81% of MOT tests on 1993 Vauxhall Novas ended in a pass, from 162 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 1 point below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 1993 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 1993 Vauxhall Nova?

81% of 162 MOT tests on the 1993 Vauxhall Nova ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 71st of 188 models first registered in 1993 (top half).

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 1993 Vauxhall Nova?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 1993 Vauxhall Nova is 56,463 miles, which is significantly below the expected 229,400 miles for a 31-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.