Used Vauxhall Cavalier Front Grille

The Cavalier ran through several distinct generations: the Mk1 (1975–1981), Mk2 (1981–1988), and Mk3 (1988–1995), and the grille design changed significantly between each of these generations so parts are not interchangeable across them. Within the Mk3, there was a facelift in 1992 which updated the front-end styling including the grille, so always confirm which side of that 1992 boundary your car falls on. When searching, give the breaker your registration so they can match the correct generation and facelift period.

These two cars sit either side of the Mk3 facelift, which occurred in 1992, so the 1990 car is pre-facelift and the 1993 car is post-facelift. The 1992 facelift brought changes to the front-end panels including the grille, so a direct swap across that boundary is not something we can confirm as fact. Check with the breaker against both registrations before purchasing to be sure the part will fit.

Trim level does not affect front grille fitment on the Cavalier — the grille itself is shared across L, GL, GLS, CDX and other trim grades within the same generation and facelift period. You may find minor cosmetic differences such as badging or finishes associated with certain trims, so mention your trim to the breaker so they can match the look as closely as possible. Fitment across the same generation and facelift period will be the same regardless of trim.

No — front-end panels including the grille are shared across body styles within the same Cavalier generation and facelift period, so a saloon, hatchback, or estate of the same period should use the same grille. The key questions are always which generation and whether the car is pre- or post-facelift, not how many doors it has or what body style it is. Confirm the generation and facelift period with the breaker against your registration to be sure.

The Mk3 Cavalier launched in 1988, so a car registered that year is most likely a Mk3 rather than a Mk2, though early 1988 registrations could potentially be late Mk2 cars — your registration is the safest way to confirm which generation you have. The Mk2 and Mk3 are entirely different platforms and their grilles are not interchangeable. Tell the breaker your exact registration and they will be able to identify the correct generation with certainty.

The most important details are the generation (Mk1, Mk2, or Mk3) and, for Mk3 cars, whether your car is pre- or post-1992 facelift, as the grille changed at that point. Engine, trim level, and number of doors do not affect which grille you need, so you do not need to worry about those. Give the breaker your full registration number and they can confirm the exact part against their stock.