Used Vauxhall Cavalier Drive Shaft

The Cavalier Mk3 ran from 1988 through to 1995, so both years sit within the same generation — however the critical factor is whether the engine codes match, not just the model year. A shaft from a 1992 car with the same engine code and gearbox type as your 1995 car is more likely to be compatible than one from a different engine family, but there were running production changes during this period. Confirm the engine code from your V5 and check with the breaker against your registration before buying.

The Cavalier Mk2 ran from 1981 to 1988 and the Mk3 from 1988 to 1995 — these are distinct generations with significant mechanical differences, so a straight swap across that boundary is unlikely. The engine codes, subframe geometry, and driveline components differ between generations. Route this question directly to the breaker with both registration numbers, as they will be able to check the exact part numbers.

For a mechanical component like a drive shaft, the trim level — whether GL, CD, CDX, or SRi — does not determine fitment. What matters is the engine code, fuel type, gearbox type (manual or automatic), and which side (NS nearside or OS offside) the shaft is from. You may find cosmetic or interior differences between a car that came from a higher trim, but the drivetrain parts themselves follow the engine and gearbox specification, not the badge.

Yes, fuel type matters significantly for drive shaft fitment because diesel and petrol variants of the Cavalier were often built around different engine and gearbox combinations, which can affect shaft length, CV joint spec, and spline count. Always match the engine code from your V5 rather than relying on the badge or fuel type alone. Supply the engine code to the breaker so they can confirm the shaft is from an equivalent driveline.

Gearbox type is one of the key fitment factors for drive shafts, and a shaft from an automatic transmission car will not reliably interchange with a manual gearbox application due to differences in the output flange and shaft dimensions. Always specify manual or automatic when requesting a quote from a breaker. Matching the engine code and gearbox type together gives the breaker the best chance of sourcing the correct shaft.

The Cavalier Mk3 received a facelift in 1992, primarily affecting exterior styling and some interior details, but the core engine and driveline architecture carried over across the facelift. Whether your 1994 car is pre- or post-facelift is unlikely to change the drive shaft specification on its own, though mid-production running changes can affect ancillary and mounting details. Confirm the engine code from your V5 and ask the breaker to verify compatibility against your specific registration to be certain.