1985 Vauxhall Cavalier — MOT History by Age

How cars manufactured in 1985 perform at MOT as they age

41 years

Current Age

95.3%

Latest Pass Rate

639

Total Tests (All Years)

76,886 mi

Avg Mileage (Latest)

Data from official DVSA MOT testing records

Best vintage for Cavalier

Insufficient data for same-age comparison.

How This Car Ages

Pass rate progression for the 1985 Vauxhall Cavalier as it ages.

24 yrs60.9%

→ ↓2.6%

25 yrs58.3%

→ ↑1.4%

26 yrs59.7%

→ ↑3.6%

27 yrs63.3%

→ ↓7.2%

28 yrs56.1%

→ ↑11.3%

29 yrs67.4%

→ ↓4.0%

30 yrs63.4%

→ ↑5.6%

31 yrs69.0%

→ ↑5.5%

32 yrs74.5%

→ ↓7.8%

34 yrs66.7%

→ ↑28.6%

39 yrs95.3%

📊 View as table

Age	Pass Rate	Tests
24 yrs	60.9%	115
25 yrs	58.3%	84
26 yrs	59.7%	77
27 yrs	63.3%	60
28 yrs	56.1%	57
29 yrs	67.4%	43
30 yrs	63.4%	41
31 yrs	69.0%	42
32 yrs	74.5%	47
34 yrs	66.7%	30
39 yrs	95.3%	43

Pass Rate Trend

How the 1985 Vauxhall Cavalier pass rate changes as it ages, from first MOT to most recent.

📊 View as table

Built	Pass Rate	Tests
2024 (39 yrs)	95.3%	43
2019 (34 yrs)	66.7%	30
2017 (32 yrs)	74.5%	47
2016 (31 yrs)	69%	42
2015 (30 yrs)	63.4%	41
2014 (29 yrs)	67.4%	43
2013 (28 yrs)	56.1%	57
2012 (27 yrs)	63.3%	60
2011 (26 yrs)	59.7%	77
2010 (25 yrs)	58.3%	84
2009 (24 yrs)	60.9%	115

Year-by-Year MOT Results

2009High Fail Rate

60.9%

Age (yrs) 24Tests 115Avg Mileage 54,367Top Failure Suspension — 27.8%

2010High Fail Rate

58.3%

Age (yrs) 25Tests 84Avg Mileage 57,075Top Failure Suspension — 25.0%

2011High Fail Rate

59.7%

Age (yrs) 26Tests 77Avg Mileage 55,511Top Failure Suspension — 24.7%

2012High Fail Rate

63.3%

Age (yrs) 27Tests 60Avg Mileage 62,203Top Failure Suspension — 23.3%

2013High Fail Rate

56.1%

Age (yrs) 28Tests 57Avg Mileage 62,133Top Failure Brakes — 78.9%

2014

67.4%

Age (yrs) 29Tests 43Avg Mileage 62,358Top Failure Suspension — 41.9%

2015High Fail Rate

63.4%

Age (yrs) 30Tests 41Avg Mileage 62,980Top Failure Suspension — 43.9%

2016

69.0%

Age (yrs) 31Tests 42Avg Mileage 59,980Top Failure Suspension — 64.3%

2017

74.5%

Age (yrs) 32Tests 47Avg Mileage 62,924Top Failure Brakes — 40.4%

2019

66.7%

Age (yrs) 34Tests 30Avg Mileage 57,070Top Failure Brakes — 36.7%

2024

95.3%

Age (yrs) 39Tests 43Avg Mileage 76,886Top Failure Brakes — 14.0%

MOT results for 1985 Vauxhall Cavalier by test year
Test Year▲	Age (yrs)▲▼	Pass Rate▲▼	Tests▲▼	Avg Mileage▲▼	Top Failure▲▼
2009	24	60.9%	115	54,367	Suspension — 27.8%
2010	25	58.3%	84	57,075	Suspension — 25.0%
2011	26	59.7%	77	55,511	Suspension — 24.7%
2012	27	63.3%	60	62,203	Suspension — 23.3%
2013	28	56.1%	57	62,133	Brakes — 78.9%
2014	29	67.4%	43	62,358	Suspension — 41.9%
2015	30	63.4%	41	62,980	Suspension — 43.9%
2016	31	69.0%	42	59,980	Suspension — 64.3%
2017	32	74.5%	47	62,924	Brakes — 40.4%
2019	34	66.7%	30	57,070	Brakes — 36.7%
2024	39	95.3%	43	76,886	Brakes — 14.0%

Common MOT Failures

Top failure categories across all test years for 1985 Vauxhall Cavalier, with age trends.

Suspension

36.4%

— Consistent

Brakes

32.2%

↓ Decreases with age

Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment

17.4%

↓ Decreases with age

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment

16.7%

— Consistent

Exhaust, Fuel and Emissions

16.6%

↑ Increases with age

How Failures Change With Age

Comparing failure rates between the youngest and oldest test years.

Category	At Youngest	At Oldest	Change	Trend
Brakes	20.9% (24 yrs)	14.0% (39 yrs)	-6.9%	🟢 ↓

Other Manufacture Years

Looking for the best year to buy? See the full comparison on the Vauxhall Cavalier page →

About This Data

This page shows how Vauxhall Cavalier cars manufactured in 1985 perform at MOT as they age. Data spans from 2009 to 2024, covering 639 tests. Pass rates naturally decline with age as components wear.

Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.