Vauxhall Rascal (1992)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 127 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,160

£180/month

MOT Pass Rate

64%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£230

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 1-8

970cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

64% pass rate, £2,160/year to run. 18 points below average.

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Petrol970cc34 years old127 tests55k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 970cc)

~50 mpg

£1,175

Road Tax

Pre-2001 engine size rate

£230

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700

Total per year£2,160

Per month£180/mo

Per week£42/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

64% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 18 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Vauxhall brand average of 84%.

64% of MOT tests on Vauxhall Rascals from 1992 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 32 years old. That's based on 127 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 54,809 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1992 models162nd of 172(bottom 7%)

Rank among Vauxhall models854th of 870(bottom 2%)

vs average of all models-18%(82% avg)

vs 1992 models average-13%(77% avg)

vs Vauxhall average-20%(84% avg)

Mileage Analysis

54,809

Average miles

236,800

Expected for age

The average 1992 Vauxhall Rascal had 54,809 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.

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Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 1990 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 72%, while the 1992 model has the lowest at 64%. 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 Rascal by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
1992	64%	127	54,809 mi
1991	69%	258	56,589 mi
1990	72%	157	40,761 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Rover Mini

1990 · 998cc Petrol

£1,810/year

80%

+16%

Peugeot 205

1990 · 1360cc Petrol

£2,033/year

80%

+16%

Nissan Figaro

1991 · 980cc Petrol

£1,960/year

79%

+15%

Ford Fiesta

1991 · 999cc Petrol

£1,810/year

84%

+20%

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About the 1992 Vauxhall Rascal

The 1992 Vauxhall Rascal is a city car. Our records list a 970cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 127 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 7% of 1992 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 54,809 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Vauxhall Rascal 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 Rascal Fuel Costs

The modest 970cc 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 £1,175 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 Rascal?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,160 (£180/month), broken down as £1,175 fuel, £230 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 64% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

Vauxhall Rascal Reliability Trend

Older Vauxhall Rascals tend to have better MOT pass rates than newer ones, with an average decline of 6 percentage points across model years.

Buying a Used 1992 Vauxhall Rascal

At 34 years old, the Vauxhall Rascal 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.

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.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 64% MOT pass rate, this model fails more often than most. Budget for unexpected repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

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 Rascal 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 Rascal(1992)	64%	£1,175	£230	Grp 1-8	£2,160
Rover Mini(1990)	80%	£1,175	£230	Grp 1-8	£1,810-£350
Peugeot 205(1990)	80%	£1,398	£230	Grp 8-20	£2,033-£127
Nissan Figaro(1991)	79%	£1,175	£230	Grp 1-8	£1,960-£200
Ford Fiesta(1991)	84%	£1,175	£230	Grp 1-8	£1,810-£350

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 Rascal

Is the 1992 Vauxhall Rascal reliable?

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. 64% of MOT tests on 1992 Vauxhall Rascals ended in a pass, from 127 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 18 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 1992 Vauxhall Rascal cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,160 a year (£180 a month): £1,175 fuel, £230 road tax, £55 MOT and £700 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

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

64% of 127 MOT tests on the 1992 Vauxhall Rascal ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 162nd of 172 models first registered in 1992 (bottom 7%).

Which year Vauxhall Rascal has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 1990 Vauxhall Rascal has the highest MOT pass rate at 72% and the 1992 the lowest at 64%. 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 Rascal?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 1992 Vauxhall Rascal is 54,809 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.