Vauxhall Tigra (1997)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 75 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,033

£169/month

MOT Pass Rate

84%

Good

Road Tax

£230

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 8-20

1389cc Petrol

Solid Option

84% pass rate, £2,033/year to run. Close to the average across all models.

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

£4.99

Check a specific Vauxhall Tigra

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

Petrol1389cc29 years old75 tests74k 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

84% 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.

84% of MOT tests on Vauxhall Tigras from 1997 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 27 years old. That's based on 75 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 74,363 miles.

Got a Vauxhall Tigra you're looking at?

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

How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1997 models64th of 306(top 21%)

Rank among Vauxhall models511th of 870(bottom half)

vs average of all models+2%(82% avg)

vs 1997 models average+9%(75% avg)

vs Vauxhall average+0%(84% avg)

Mileage Analysis

74,363

Average miles

199,800

Expected for age

The average 1997 Vauxhall Tigra had 74,363 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is significantly below the expected 199,800 miles for a 27-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 Tigra?

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

Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 1998 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 79%, while the 2006 model has the lowest at 68%. The 1997 scores 84%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

Vauxhall Tigra by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2009	72%	3,112	70,656 mi
2008	69%	2,428	74,610 mi
2007	69%	2,907	77,391 mi
2006	68%	3,079	82,871 mi
2005	69%	1,651	83,647 mi
2004	70%	416	86,044 mi
2000	71%	68	57,756 mi
1999	75%	88	57,631 mi
1998	79%	104	58,417 mi
1997	84%	75	74,363 mi
1996	78%	46	44,919 mi
1995	76%	41	50,369 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Mazda MX-5

1999 · 1600cc Petrol

£2,328/year

73%

-11%

Volkswagen Golf

1999 · 1781cc Petrol

£2,561/year

71%

-13%

Vauxhall Corsa

1999 · 1199cc Petrol

£1,810/year

89%

+5%

Nissan Micra

1999 · 1298cc Petrol

£2,183/year

70%

-14%

Check a Specific Vauxhall Tigra

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 1997 Vauxhall Tigra

The 1997 Vauxhall Tigra is a small family car. Our records list a 1389cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 75 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. It ranks in the top 21% of all 1997 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 74,363 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Vauxhall Tigra 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.

1997 Vauxhall Tigra 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 1997 Vauxhall Tigra?

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 84% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

Vauxhall Tigra Reliability Trend

Older Vauxhall Tigras tend to have better MOT pass rates than newer ones, with an average decline of 3 percentage points across model years.

Buying a Used 1997 Vauxhall Tigra

At 29 years old, the Vauxhall Tigra 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. If you're flexible on year, the 1998 model has the highest pass rate at 79%. Note: with only 75 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

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 1997 Vauxhall Tigra 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 Tigra(1997)	84%	£1,398	£230	Grp 8-20	£2,033
Mazda MX-5(1999)	73%	£1,398	£375	Grp 12-25	£2,328+£295
Volkswagen Golf(1999)	71%	£1,631	£375	Grp 18-32	£2,561+£528
Vauxhall Corsa(1999)	89%	£1,175	£230	Grp 5-15	£1,810-£223
Nissan Micra(1999)	70%	£1,398	£230	Grp 8-20	£2,183+£150

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 1997 Vauxhall Tigra

Is the 1997 Vauxhall Tigra reliable?

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. 84% of MOT tests on 1997 Vauxhall Tigras ended in a pass, from 75 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 2 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 1997 Vauxhall Tigra 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 1997 Vauxhall Tigra?

84% of 75 MOT tests on the 1997 Vauxhall Tigra ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 64th of 306 models first registered in 1997 (top 21%).

Which year Vauxhall Tigra has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 1998 Vauxhall Tigra has the highest MOT pass rate at 79% and the 2006 the lowest at 68%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 1997 Vauxhall Tigra?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 1997 Vauxhall Tigra is 74,363 miles, which is significantly below the expected 199,800 miles for a 27-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.