Used Vauxhall Cavalier Headlight

The Cavalier ran through three main generations: Mk1 (1975–1981), Mk2 (1981–1988), and Mk3 (1988–1995), and headlights are generally specific to each generation as the front-end design changed completely between them. Within the Mk3, there was a facelift in 1992 which updated the front end including the lights, so a pre-facelift (1988–1992) headlight and a post-facelift (1992–1995) headlight are not the same part. Always quote your exact registration to the breaker so they can confirm the correct unit for your car.

This question spans the Mk3 facelift boundary of 1992, which is the key cut-off point — a 1990 car is pre-facelift and a 1993 car is post-facelift, and these front ends were updated at that point. Whether the headlight itself physically interchanges across that facelift is something you should confirm directly with the breaker against both registrations, as this is not something we can state as fact. Give the breaker both reg plates and let them verify against their stock.

No, it does not matter — on the Cavalier Mk3 the front-end panels including headlights are shared across body styles within the same generation and facelift period. Whether your car is a four-door saloon, five-door hatchback, or estate, the headlight is the same unit as long as the generation and facelift period match. Focus on the model year rather than the body style when asking a breaker for a quote.

Trim level — whether GL, GLS, CDi, or any other Cavalier grade — does not affect which headlight fits your car, as the front-end design is shared across the range within a generation and facelift period. However, there may be cosmetic differences such as chrome surrounds or differing bulb holder configurations depending on specification, so it is worth mentioning your trim to the breaker so they can match the finish as closely as possible. The fundamental fitment is determined by generation and facelift period, not trim.

No — the NS (nearside, passenger side, left) and OS (offside, driver side, right) headlights are handed and are not interchangeable with each other. When contacting a breaker, always specify which side you need to avoid being sent the wrong unit. The breaker will also want to know your model year to confirm the correct facelift variant.

It is important to establish the donor car's year before agreeing a purchase, because headlights differ between the Mk3 pre-facelift (1988–1992) and post-facelift (1992–1995) periods, and differ entirely across earlier generations. A reputable breaker should be able to check the donor vehicle's registration to confirm which generation and facelift period the part came from. Never rely on a part description alone — always ask the breaker to verify against the donor reg before buying.