Vauxhall
Cavalier
3,388 MOT tests analysed. lands in the middle of the pack — here's where Cavaliers pass, fail, and end up on the retest sheet.
That's 2.1 points below the UK fleet average across our 1,984 tracked models — buyers should expect more first-time fails than the typical UK car.
Pass
75.4%
Pass-after-fix
4.3%
Fail
18.5%
Avg miles
98,980
Pass + Pass-after-fix + Fail = 100%
Petrol cars registered before January 2006 are typically pre-Euro 4 — subject to daily charges in London ULEZ, Birmingham CAZ, and Glasgow LEZ. Bristol CAZ does not charge petrol cars. Daily charges if driven in the zone: London £12.50 · Birmingham £8.00 .
The picture
Cavalier: middle-of-the-pack on first-time pass
Across 1,465 MOT tests, the Cavalier returns 75.4% first-time pass — roughly in line with the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is the strength or continuity of the load bearing. A split CV-joint boot and a torn steering gaiter round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 96,569, which is the lens to read those failure rankings through. If you own one and the next test is close, the ranked list below is a sensible pre-test checklist.
ABI Insurance Group
Group 8–26
Below the fleet average — generally reasonable to insure. Lower groups cost less to insure; UK fleet average is around Group 22.
Source: ABI Group Rating Panel · administered by Thatcham Research · groups cover standard variants; performance trims may sit higher. Browse all insurance groups →
8–26
out of 50
Top ten reasons for rejection.
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- 01
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
152 occurrences · 4.5% of tests
- 02
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot severely deteriorated
96 occurrences · 2.8% of tests
- 03
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
75 occurrences · 2.2% of tests
- 04
Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view
71 occurrences · 2.1% of tests
- 05
Body, cab or chassis excessively corroded at a mounting point
67 occurrences · 2.0% of tests
- 06
Wiper blade defective
62 occurrences · 1.8% of tests
- 07
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
56 occurrences · 1.7% of tests
- 08
Emissions levels exceed the manufacturer's specified limits
55 occurrences · 1.6% of tests
- 09
Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated
55 occurrences · 1.6% of tests
- 10
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
51 occurrences · 1.5% of tests
Counts cover Major and Dangerous defects logged at test. Advisory items excluded so this shows why a car was rejected, not just what the tester flagged in passing.
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Recall history
3 UK recalls on record.
The Cavalier has 3 official UK vehicle recalls covering defect details, remedies, and affected build dates.
Buying or keeping a Cavalier?
Use the failure ranking as a pre-test checklist or a haggling lever. Treat the headline pass rate as a fleet-wide trend, not a guarantee on any individual car.
If you own a Cavalier and your last MOT looked nothing like the ranked failures above, that's normal — individual cars vary widely. The ranking shows the patterns testers flag most often across the country.