1981 Opel Kadett MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for Kadett models manufactured in 1981, based on 74 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
1981 Opel Kadett MOT Analysis
The 1981 Opel Kadett has an MOT pass rate of 71.6% based on 74 tests — above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 63,540 miles on the odometer. With a 28.4% failure rate, the 1981 Kadett is rated as "Very Good" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 1981 Opel Kadett is Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment, responsible for 1.4% of failures. Lighting failures cover all external lights: headlights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, fog lights, and reflectors. A single blown bulb will cause an MOT fail. This is one of the most preventable failure categories. Typical repair costs range from £5–50.
Top failures specific to 1981 models only. The overall Kadett page may show different rankings.
What Fails Most
What Fails on This Car?
Click a category to see specific failure items.
View as table
| Rank | Failure Category | Rate (%) | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lamps, Reflectors And Electrical Equipment | 1.4% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 63,540 miFor every 10,000 miles driven, this shows what percentage of MOT tests fail for each category. This accounts for how far cars are actually driven, not just raw pass/fail counts.
View as table
| Category | Rate / 10K mi | Raw % | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lamps & Electrical | 0.21 | 1.4% | 1 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 1981 Opel Kadett has an MOT pass rate of 71.6% based on 74 tests — above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 63,540 miles on the odometer. With a 28.4% failure rate, the 1981 Kadett is rated as "Very Good" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 1981 Opel Kadett, you can expect reliable MOT performance overall. Before your MOT, pay particular attention to lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment: Walk around the car and check every light — headlights (dipped and main beam), side lights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, hazard lights, reverse light, rear fog light, and number plate lights. Replace any blown bulbs before the test. At 63,540 average miles, these vehicles are in the mid-range where component wear starts to become a factor.
Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment — 1.4% of failures
Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment issues account for 1.4% of MOT failures on 1981 Opel Kadett models. Lighting failures cover all external lights: headlights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, fog lights, and reflectors. A single blown bulb will cause an MOT fail. This is one of the most preventable failure categories. Typical repair costs: £5–50. Pre-MOT check: Walk around the car and check every light — headlights (dipped and main beam), side lights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, hazard lights, reverse light, rear fog light, and number plate lights. Replace any blown bulbs before the test.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.