Opel Kadett Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Opel Kadett car check
Is the Opel Kadett reliable? We analysed 5,035 real MOT tests across 763 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Opel Kadett? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Opel Kadett is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include brake pipe excessively corroded, suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded and tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Opel Kadett.
Opel Kadett Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Opel Kadett. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Opel Kadett MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Opel Kadett to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Opel Kadett Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Opel Kadett fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Opel Kadett Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Opel Kadett owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Opel Kadett MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Opel Kadett year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 292 | 67.8% | 47,444 | 71,795 | 112,431 |
| 2002 | 366 | 73.8% | 43,540 | 78,881 | 116,364 |
| 2001 | 319 | 69.3% | 59,290 | 80,752 | 109,504 |
| 2000 | 858 | 68.8% | 64,137 | 89,624 | 118,586 |
| 1999 | 310 | 66.1% | 63,566 | 88,062 | 116,088 |
| 1998 | 102 | 64.7% | 87,649 | 106,640 | 139,486 |
| 1996 | 66 | 65.2% | 25,453 | 77,697 | 121,969 |
| 1995 | 69 | 66.7% | 64,316 | 102,729 | 141,498 |
| 1994 | 108 | 63.0% | 93,738 | 128,062 | 181,908 |
| 1993 | 95 | 65.3% | 94,015 | 117,517 | 151,030 |
| 1992 | 147 | 64.6% | 38,748 | 70,825 | 89,551 |
| 1991 | 121 | 68.6% | 31,406 | 53,348 | 76,874 |
| 1990 | 83 | 66.3% | 34,082 | 73,645 | 88,243 |
| 1989 | 72 | 62.5% | 12,020 | 36,490 | 87,653 |
| 1986 | 55 | 67.3% | 36,464 | 57,708 | 77,677 |
| 1985 | 81 | 61.7% | 45,501 | 64,061 | 93,442 |
| 1984 | 60 | 68.3% | 47,166 | 89,139 | 91,408 |
| 1983 | 94 | 61.7% | 23,263 | 46,694 | 88,087 |
| 1982 | 85 | 64.7% | 57,171 | 63,608 | 71,526 |
| 1981 | 157 | 72.6% | 29,452 | 54,874 | 80,027 |
How Long Does a Opel Kadett Last?
Based on 763 Opel Kadett vehicles on UK roads.
Opel Kadett Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Opel Kadett MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Opel Kadett
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
84.2% MOT pass rate from 57 tests
61.7% MOT pass rate from 94 tests
The best year to buy a used Opel Kadett is 1975, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 84.2% across 57 tests. The 1983 model year has the lowest pass rate at 61.7% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Opel Kadett Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opel Kadett THIS CAR | 70.8% | 5,035 | 73,104 mi | 54 yrs |
| Opel Zafira | 68.5% | 30,915 | 93,196 mi | 27 yrs |
| Opel Astra | 69.2% | 26,435 | 84,472 mi | 28 yrs |
| Opel Corsa | 65.8% | 19,398 | 69,011 mi | 33 yrs |
| Kawasaki Zx 1400 Fcf Abs | 93.1% | 3,412 | 14,635 mi | 14 yrs |
Compared to the Opel Zafira (68.5% pass rate) and the Opel Astra (69.2% pass rate), the Opel Kadett outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Opel Kadett you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Opel KadettShould you buy a used Opel Kadett?
The Opel Kadett has an overall MOT pass rate of 70.8% across 5,035 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Opel Kadett are brake pipe excessively corroded (279 recorded failures), suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (208), and tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (200). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
A typical Opel Kadett owner drives around 3,487 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Opel Kadett models stay on UK roads for around 54 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.