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MOT History from tests of petrol VAUXHALL CAVALIERs year 1971

Review the list of common VAUXHALL CAVALIER failures below or to perform a specific mot history check on your VAUXHALL then use our popular KnowYourCar service

mot history
Pass percent:50.21%
(The average a petrol VAUXHALL CAVALIER year 1971 passes without issue)
Based on:472 MOT Tests
Most common failuresNo# failures
Brake pipe excessively corroded47
Headlamp aim out of alignment36
Registration plate lamp issues35
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.B.7|27
Brake hose excessively deteriorated25
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively22
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort15
Nearside Front constant velocity joint gaiter split |2.5.C.1a|12
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|11
Offside Front constant velocity joint gaiter split |2.5.C.1a|11
Nearside Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|11
Registration plate issues10
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel |3.1.6b|9
Nearside Front Front constant velocity joint gaiter split |2.5.C.1a|9
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|8
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|8
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|8
Rear brake application uneven7
Service brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.B.7|7
Nearside Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|7
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|7
Offside Front Front constant velocity joint gaiter split |2.5.C.1a|7
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|7
Offside Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|7
Rear brake binding6
Offside Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|6
Nearside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|5
Offside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|5
Fuel cap/sealing device does not fasten securely maintaining the sealing arrangement |7.2.4b|5
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|5
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|5
Emissions not tested |7.0|5
Hazard warning switch faulty |1.4.B.1d|5
Offside Rear coil spring fractured |2.4.C.1a|5
Offside Front Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release |5.2.5a|5
Brakes imbalanced across an axle4
Nearside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|4
Offside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|4
Nearside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|4
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|4
Offside Headlamp insecure |1.7.3|4
Offside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image |1.2.4a|4
Offside Obligatory mirror seriously damaged, affecting the rear view |8.1.2a|4
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|4
Horn not working |1.6.2a|3
Offside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|3
Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|3
Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|3
Windscreen has damage3
Fuel tank leaking |7.2.3|3
Offside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|3
Nearside Front Bonded suspension unit bonding failed and part of unit is likely to become displaced |2.4.F.2|3
Nearside Front wheel bearing has excessive play |2.5.A.3c|3
Nearside Front Front constant velocity joint gaiter insecurely mounted to its housing |2.5.C.1a|3
Rear Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated |7.1.1a|3
Offside Front Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|3
Offside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play |2.6.2|3
Offside Front coil spring incomplete |2.4.C.1a|3
Nearside Side repeater incomplete |1.5.A1b|3
Nearside Side repeater incorrect colour |1.4.A.2f|3
Nearside Rear Brake cable has wires broken and is significantly weakened |3.5.1b|3
Nearside Front Headlamp insecure |1.7.3|3
Offside Front Headlamp insecure |1.7.3|3
Offside Front Bonded suspension unit bonding failed and part of unit is likely to become displaced |2.4.F.2|3
Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|3
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault3
Offside Side repeater incorrect colour |1.4.A.2f|3
Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|2
Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|2
Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|2
Nearside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|2
Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|2
Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|2
Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated |8.2.2|2
Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing has excessive play |2.6.2|2
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|2
Offside Outer Front Front constant velocity joint gaiter split |2.5.C.1a|2
Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|2
Front brake application uneven2
Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|2
Offside Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated |8.2.2|2
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|2
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|2
Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|2
Offside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated |8.2.2|2
Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened2
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|2
Nearside Front coil spring incomplete |2.4.C.1a|2
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image too far to the right |1.6.B4|2
Offside Side repeater not working |1.4.A.2c|2
Windscreen wiper blade insecure2
Brake cable has restricted free movement |3.5.1k|2
Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|2
Offside Front wheel bearing has excessive play |2.5.A.3c|2
Offside Front position lamp|s| not in good working order |function impaired| |1.1.4a|2
Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|2
Rear Exhaust has a part missing |7.1.1a|2
Nearside Headlamp insecure |1.7.3|2
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|2
Nearside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play |2.6.2|2
Offside Front coil spring fractured |2.4.C.1a|2
Brake performance not tested |3.7.A.1|2
Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|2
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|2
Nearside Front Side repeater not working |1.4.A.2c|2
Nearside Rear coil spring incomplete |2.4.C.1a|2
Rear Rear position lamp|s| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance |1.1.A.3d|2
Rear brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened2
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|2
Nearside Front brake disc excessively pitted |3.5.1h|2
Nearside Rear Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated |7.1.1a|2
Offside Rear Brake cable has wires broken and is significantly weakened |3.5.1b|2
Nearside Front Macpherson strut has excessive movement at the upper attachment |2.5.A.1c|2
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp does not illuminate |3.4.1b|2
Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|2
Parking brake is not capable of being maintained in operation by direct mechanical action only |3.1.2|2
Offside Rear Rear position lamp|s| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance |1.1.A.3d|2
Fuel pipe leaking |7.2.3|2
Rear Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement2
Rear Fuel pipe leaking |7.2.3|2
Offside Brake cable has wires broken and is significantly weakened |3.5.1b|2
Offside Front constant velocity joint gaiter insecurely mounted to its housing |2.5.C.1a|2
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage fractured |2.4.G.1|2
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|2
Offside Inner Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|1
Nearside Rear rear brakes release unevenly |3.7.B.4|1
Offside Front Braking system leaking |3.6.A.1|1
Offside Headlamp excessively damaged so that the light output is severely reduced |1.7.5a|1
Offside Front Tie bar/rod fractured |2.4.G.1|1
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp sequence is incorrect |3.4.1d|1
Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated |8.2.2|1
Parking brake mechanism/associated mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |3.1.9|1
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage insecure |2.4.G.1|1
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage insecure |2.4.G.1|1
Body has a sharp edge caused by damage |6.1.C.1|1
Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.2.C.1h|1
Rear rear brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|1
Offside Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|1
Offside Front Front constant velocity joint is insecure |2.5.C.1b|1
Nearside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|1
rear brakes release unevenly |3.7.B.4|1
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage rubber mounting deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Outer Rear Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion |6.1.C.1|1
Offside Front Lower Suspension component mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired |2.4.A.3|1
Offside Front Lower Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|1
Nearside Front Lower Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|1
Nearside Outer Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|1
Offside Outer Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|1
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|1
Rear brake disc excessively pitted |3.5.1h|1
Fuel system component insecure |7.2.1|1
Front Body has a projection caused by damage |6.1.C.1|1
Nearside Rear Road wheel bead rim badly distorted |4.2.A.1a|1
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired |2.4.A.3|1
Nearside Rear Axle beam has excessive vertical movement between stub axle and axle beam |2.5.A.1a|1
Offside Rear Axle beam has excessive vertical movement between stub axle and axle beam |2.5.A.1a|1
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush |2.7.4|1
Offside Rear Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush |2.7.4|1
Offside Rear Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion |6.1.C.1|1
Offside Rear Fuel hose leaking |7.2.3|1
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|1
Rear Fuel hose leaking |7.2.3|1
Front Headlamp incorrect colour |1.7.5b|1
Offside Rear coil spring incomplete |2.4.C.1a|1
Nearside Inner Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|1
Offside Front Anti-roll bar synthetic mounting deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|1
Parking brake mechanism/associated mounting prescribed area is fractured |3.1.9|1
Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated |2.6.1|1
Nearside Front front brake binding |3.7.B.1|1
Parking brake lever, pawl mechanism pivot|s| or their associated mountings locking device insecure |3.1.4b|1
Front Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on |8.2.1b|1
Offside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired |2.4.A.3|1
Offside Rear Brake hose bulging under pressure |3.6.B.3|1
Offside Front Obligatory mirror insecure |8.1.1|1
Nearside Front Headlamp aim beam image too far to the left |1.6.B4|1
Brake hydraulic reservoir fluid level below minimum level |3.6.G.1b|1
Offside Front Macpherson strut worn and seriously weakened |2.4.G.2|1
Nearside Lower Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|1
Nearside Front Upper Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|1
Offside Front Lower Bonded suspension unit bonding failed and part of unit is likely to become displaced |2.4.F.2|1
Offside Front Anti-roll bar locating pin retaining device missing |2.4.G.3b|1
Nearside Headlamp aim not tested |1.8.A.1c|1
Centre Rear Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release |5.2.5a|1
Offside Inner Rear Lower Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|1
Offside Anti-roll bar attachment bracket/mounting fractured |2.4.G.1|1
Nearside Front Brake hose leaking |3.6.A.1|1
Offside Front Front wheel bearing rough when rotated |2.5.A.2|1
Offside Front Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|1
Nearside Front Headlamp missing |1.7.3|1
Offside Outer Front constant velocity joint gaiter split |2.5.C.1a|1
Offside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint |2.5.B.1a|1
Offside Front Anti-roll bar attachment bracket/mounting fractured |2.4.G.1|1
Nearside Inner Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|1
Nearside Outer Front Front constant velocity joint gaiter split |2.5.C.1a|1
Nearside Front Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle |6.2.B.1b|1
Rear Body has a sharp edge caused by damage |6.1.C.1|1
Rear Fuel system component insecure |7.2.1|1
Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported |7.1.1|1
Nearside Front brake disc excessively scored |3.5.1h|1
Offside Front brake disc excessively scored |3.5.1h|1
Offside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|1
Offside Front Side repeater not working |1.4.A.2c|1
Offside Front Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|1
Nearside Front coil spring fractured |2.4.C.1a|1
Brake pedal creeps down when held under pressure |3.3.B.1a|1
Offside Front Coil spring not correctly located |2.4.C.2|1
Nearside Front Suspension arm synthetic bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Front Suspension arm synthetic bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|1
Nearside Rear rear brake juddering severely |3.7.A.5b|1
Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint |2.5.B.1a|1
Exhaust emits clearly visible black smoke during acceleration |7.3.A.2c|1
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Outer Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|1
Offside Outer Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|1
Nearside Rear coil spring fractured |2.4.C.1a|1
Nearside Front Brake hose twisted |found during steering lock to lock check| |2.2.D.2b|1
Offside Front Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced |1.7.5a|1
Exhaust system not adequately supported |7.1.1|1
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|1
Offside front brake binding |3.7.B.1|1
Nearside Brake cable has wires broken and is significantly weakened |3.5.1b|1
Brake cable has wires broken and is significantly weakened |3.5.1b|1
Offside Rear Parking brake is not capable of being maintained in operation by direct mechanical action only |3.1.2|1
Exhaust emits dense blue smoke at idle |7.3.A.2b|1
Nearside Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|1
Nearside Front Headlamp incorrect colour |1.7.5b|1
Offside Front Headlamp incorrect colour |1.7.5b|1
Offside Front Macpherson strut has excessive movement at the upper attachment |2.5.A.1c|1
Front Front constant velocity joint gaiter split |2.5.C.1a|1
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|1
Front constant velocity joint gaiter split |2.5.C.1a|1
Offside Obligatory mirror missing |8.1.1|1
Nearside Rear position lamp|s| excessively damaged so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance |1.1.A.3d|1
Power steering component|s| leaking |2.3.3b|1
Offside Front Side repeater incorrect colour |1.4.A.2f|1
Offside Rear position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|1
Nearside Front constant velocity joint gaiter deteriorated to the extent that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc |2.5.C.1a|1
Rear wheel bearing has excessive play |2.6.2|1
Nearside Rear Lower Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|1
Offside Rear Lower Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|1
Front Bonded suspension unit deteriorated and cannot function as intended |2.4.F.3|1
Offside Front Headlamp not in good working order |not working| |1.2.4a|1
Offside Front Front position lamp|s| not in good working order |function impaired| |1.1.4a|1
Nearside Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated |8.2.2|1
Offside Front Headlamp excessively damaged so that the light output is severely reduced |1.7.5a|1
Offside Front Suspension arm worn and seriously weakened |2.4.G.1|1
Offside Rear position lamp|s| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.1.A.3f|1
Nearside Rear Brake lining|s| less than 1.5 mm thick |3.5.1g|1
Offside Rear Brake lining|s| less than 1.5 mm thick |3.5.1g|1
Nearside Front Front drive shaft coupling flexible rubber or fabric coupling unit severely cracked |2.5.C.1d|1
Offside Front Driver`s seat cannot be secured in the upright position. |6.2.A.2|1
Rear Fuel cap/sealing device does not fasten securely maintaining the sealing arrangement |7.2.4b|1
Offside Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image |1.2.4a|1
Nearside Front constant velocity joint gaiter insecurely mounted to its housing |2.5.C.1a|1
Nearside Front position lamp|s| not in good working order |function impaired| |1.1.4a|1
Nearside Front constant velocity joint is excessively worn |2.5.C.1b|1
Offside Front constant velocity joint is excessively worn |2.5.C.1b|1
Offside Front Driver`s door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle |6.2.B.1b|1
Nearside Front Lower Anti-roll bar attachment bracket/mounting fractured |2.4.G.1|1
Offside Front Lower Anti-roll bar attachment bracket/mounting fractured |2.4.G.1|1
Offside Macpherson strut has excessive movement in the upper support bearing assembly |2.5.B.1b|1
Nearside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated |8.2.2|1
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|1
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported |7.1.1|1
Offside Front Body insecure and dangerous to other road users |6.1.B.1b|1
Nearside Rear Rear position lamp|s| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance |1.1.A.3d|1
Centre Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|1
Nearside Parking brake is not capable of being maintained in operation by direct mechanical action only |3.1.2|1
Nearside Parking brake lever has no reserve travel |3.1.6b|1
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|1
Nearside Track rod end loose |2.2.B.1d|1
Nearside Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported |7.1.1|1
Rear Exhaust mounting missing |7.1.1b|1
Power steering pipe|s| or hose|s| leaking from a joint |2.3.3b|1
Nearside Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|1
Exhaust has a part missing |7.1.1a|1
Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower wishbone bearing |2.5.B.1a|1
Offside Side repeater incomplete |1.5.A1b|1
Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching into the swept area by more than 40mm outside zone `A` |8.3.1e|1
Offside Front Suspension arm severely distorted |2.4.G.1|1
Nearside Rear brake disc excessively pitted |3.5.1h|1
Offside Rear brake disc excessively pitted |3.5.1h|1
Offside Front Obligatory mirror missing |8.1.1|1
Nearside Front Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|1
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Front brake disc excessively pitted |3.5.1h|1
Nearside Front Lower Bonded suspension unit bonding failed and part of unit is likely to become displaced |2.4.F.2|1
Offside Steering arm has relative movement at its fixings |2.2.B.1h|1
Front passenger seat insecure |6.2.3|1
Offside Stop lamp excessively damaged so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance |1.2.1d|1
Offside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure |3.6.B.3|1
Nearside Front Headlamp aim aimed so that it dazzles other road users |1.8.A.1a|1
Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|1
Indicator switch faulty |1.4.A.1|1
Nearside Front suspension has excessive movement at a wishbone pin or bush |2.5.A.1c|1
Offside Front suspension has excessive movement at a wishbone pin or bush |2.5.A.1c|1

We get to these numbers by trawling through over 1 billion MOT test results since 2004 and crunched the numbers. We remove anything to do with Tyres, as they are model independent and group together common non-model specific issues. We are trying to get to a picture of what models have what issues.

Please note: We take the data from the DVSA. This data is raw and can contain typos and spelling mistakes that garages may have entered while recording a MOT result. Specifically miss-match on names of models and makes. We are constantly cleaning the data so bear with the odd issue.

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