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VAUXHALL NOVA (1993)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 162 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,737

£145/month

MOT Pass Rate

81%

Good

Road Tax

£195

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 8-20

1389cc Petrol

Solid Option

81% pass rate, £1737/year to run. Close to the national average.

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Petrol1389cc33 years old162 tests56k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1389cc)

~42 mpg

£1,137
Road Tax

Based on 1389cc

£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

81% 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 33 years old, 81% of VAUXHALL NOVAs from 1993 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 162 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 56,463 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1993 cars72th of 194(top 37%)
Rank among VAUXHALL models574th of 882(top 65%)
vs national average-1%(82% avg)
vs 1993 cars average+5%(76% avg)
vs VAUXHALL average-3%(84% avg)

Mileage Analysis

56,463

Average miles

vs

244,200

Expected for age

The average 1993 VAUXHALL NOVA has 56,463 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 244,200 miles for a 33-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%. Consider a different year if reliability is a priority.

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 1993 VAUXHALL NOVA

The 1993 VAUXHALL NOVA is a small family car with a 1389cc petrol engine. 162 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all cars from 1993, the average MOT pass rate is 76%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 56,463 miles at 33 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.

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

What does it cost to own a 1993 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 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

Based on the 1993 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 1993 VAUXHALL NOVA stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
VAUXHALL NOVA(1993)81%£1137£195Grp 8-20£1737
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(1991)80%£1327£135Grp 18-32£1867+£130
ROVER MINI(1993)74%£1137£30Grp 8-20£1722-£15
MAZDA MX-5(1995)74%£1327£135Grp 18-32£2017+£280
BMW 3 SERIES(1991)82%£1327£135Grp 18-32£1867+£130

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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