Vauxhall Cavalier MOT pass rate and common failures
In 2025, 75.2% of Vauxhall Cavalier MOT tests were a first-time pass, across 977 tests in Great Britain. For all cars it was 71.5%.
Compared with cars of the same age
Older cars fail more often, so a model that’s mostly a few years old will look better than one that’s mostly 12. These figures compare like with like.
At 3–5 years
–
Too few tests at this age to say.
At 6–10 years
–
Too few tests at this age to say.
At 11 years and over
75.2%
All cars: 61.3% (13.9 points better). 977 tests.
Figures by age, with typical mileage
| Age (years) | Tests | First-time pass | All cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20+ | 977 | 75.2% | 61.4% | 88,750 miles |
Typical mileage is the median reading at the test, to the nearest 2,500 miles.
What fails most often
The share of Vauxhall Cavalier MOT tests that failed on at least one item in each area, against all cars. A test can fail on several areas at once.
| Area | Cavalier | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 17.3% | 13.7% |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 17.1% | 16.6% |
| Brakes | 13.1% | 10.2% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 11.8% | 4.0% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 10.2% | 4.2% |
| Visibility | 5.1% | 5.2% |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 4.3% | 1.1% |
| Tyres | 2.5% | 8.4% |
Most common reasons for failing
- Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength failed 5.8% of tests
- Prescribed areas: prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced failed 3.0% of tests
- Position lamp: not working failed 2.8% of tests · what this means
- Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded failed 2.7% of tests · what this means
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively failed 2.3% of tests · what this means
- Service brake imbalance: across an axle failed 2.1% of tests · what this means
- Catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits failed 2.0% of tests · what this means
- Catalyst emissions: lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits failed 1.8% of tests · what this means
- Coil spring: fractured or broken failed 1.7% of tests · what this means
- Emissions not tested: unable to be completed failed 1.7% of tests · what this means
Checking a particular Cavalier?
See its own MOT history, mileage record and advisories in plain English. Free, no sign-up.
About these figures
- They cover every Cavalier version DVSA records under this name (engines, trims and generations together), on its first MOT test of each visit. A “pass with rectification” (fixed within an hour) counts as a fail, as in DVSA’s own statistics.
- Cars under three years old are left out, because the few tested that young are mostly taxis.
- Fuel mix of the cars tested: petrol 94.7%, diesel 5.3%.
- A pass rate describes the model, not any one car. How a car has been looked after matters more.
Download these figures (CSV) · Other Vauxhall models · All makes
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data for 2025. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Our own analysis; not produced or endorsed by DVSA.