Morris Minor MOT failures and reliability
In 2023 the Morris Minor took 2,214 MOT tests in Britain and passed 79% of them first time, above the national average of 71% for all cars. The figures below come from the DVSA's record of every test, so they show what testers actually found on these cars rather than what owners report.
- MOT tests in 2023
- 2,214
- First-time pass rate
- 79%
- All cars
- 71%
What the Minor fails on
Share of tests with at least one failure in each area, against the figure for all cars.
- Brakes11.2% (all cars 6.8%)
- Lights and electrics9.1% (all cars 11.3%)
- Suspension5.2% (all cars 9.0%)
- Visibility4.3% (all cars 4.8%)
- Steering3.2% (all cars 1.8%)
- Body and structure2.3% (all cars 3.5%)
- Tyres1.2% (all cars 6.4%)
- Seat belts and airbags0.9% (all cars 1.0%)
Most common failure items
Share of tests on which each item was recorded.
- Service brake imbalance: across an axle 5.5%
- Service brake performance: excessively binding 3.2%
- Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements 2.8%
- Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength 2.8%
- Steering rack: gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt 2.1%
- Washers: not working 2.0%
- Service brake performance: efficiency below requirements 1.8%
- Headlamp: not working on dipped beam 1.6%
Most common advisories
- Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive 10.2%
- Tyres, condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing 5.1%
- Service brake performance: binding but not excessively 3.9%
- Wheel bearings: has slight play 3.0%
- Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil 2.9%
- Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge 2.9%
- Transmission oil leaks: leak, but not excessive 2.2%
- Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material 1.7%
Check a particular Minor
Model figures tell you what to look out for. To see one car's own MOT history, mileage and tax, enter its registration.
Source: Department for Transport, Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023, cars and light vans, normal tests only. Pass rates are first-time passes; a pass after repair at the test station counts as a fail. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.