Vauxhall Tigra (1999)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 88 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,183

£182/month

MOT Pass Rate

75%

Average

Road Tax

£230

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 8-20

1389cc Petrol

Check Carefully

75% pass rate, £2,183/year to run. 7 points below average.

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Petrol1389cc27 years old88 tests58k 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

£500

Total per year£2,183

Per month£182/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

75% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 7 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Vauxhall brand average of 84%.

75% of MOT tests on Vauxhall Tigras from 1999 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 25 years old. That's based on 88 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 57,631 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1999 models178th of 361(top half)

Rank among Vauxhall models672nd of 870(bottom 23%)

vs average of all models-7%(82% avg)

vs 1999 models average+0%(75% avg)

vs Vauxhall average-9%(84% avg)

Mileage Analysis

57,631

Average miles

185,000

Expected for age

The average 1999 Vauxhall Tigra had 57,631 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is significantly below the expected 185,000 miles for a 25-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 1998 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 79%, while the 2006 model has the lowest at 68%. The 1999 scores 75%. 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

Toyota Yaris

2001 · 1299cc Petrol

£2,153/year

71%

-4%

Ford Focus

2001 · 1596cc Petrol

£2,428/year

68%

-7%

Mazda MX-5

1999 · 1600cc Petrol

£2,328/year

73%

-2%

Volkswagen Golf

1999 · 1781cc Petrol

£2,561/year

71%

-4%

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About the 1999 Vauxhall Tigra

The 1999 Vauxhall Tigra is a small family car. Our records list a 1389cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 88 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all models from 1999, the average MOT pass rate is 75%, and this model matches that benchmark.

With an average of 57,631 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.

1999 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 1999 Vauxhall Tigra?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,183 (£182/month), broken down as £1,398 fuel, £230 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 75% 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 1999 Vauxhall Tigra

At 27 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 88 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 1999 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(1999)	75%	£1,398	£230	Grp 8-20	£2,183
Toyota Yaris(2001)	71%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153-£30
Ford Focus(2001)	68%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,428+£245
Mazda MX-5(1999)	73%	£1,398	£375	Grp 12-25	£2,328+£145
Volkswagen Golf(1999)	71%	£1,631	£375	Grp 18-32	£2,561+£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 1999 Vauxhall Tigra

Is the 1999 Vauxhall Tigra reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 75% of MOT tests on 1999 Vauxhall Tigras ended in a pass, from 88 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 7 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 1999 Vauxhall Tigra cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,183 a year (£182 a month): £1,398 fuel, £230 road tax, £55 MOT and £500 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1999 Vauxhall Tigra?

75% of 88 MOT tests on the 1999 Vauxhall Tigra ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 178th of 361 models first registered in 1999 (top half).

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 1999 Vauxhall Tigra?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 1999 Vauxhall Tigra is 57,631 miles, which is significantly below the expected 185,000 miles for a 25-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.