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Morgan Plus 4 reliability by build year

Coverage 1955-present3 named generationsConvertiblePETROL

We've only got 377 MOT tests for Morgan Plus 4 models built before 2000 (over 25 years old). Treat these numbers as a rough guide.

Not enough data

Morgan Plus 4 built before 2000: not enough MOT data yet

We've only seen a handful of Morgan Plus 4 models built before 2000 so far. Too few to spot a pattern yet.

Check a Morgan Plus 4 by number plate

Key figure

Check a car’s number plate to see its own MOT record, or come back when there’s more MOT history.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Morgan Plus 4's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Leaks

Worth checking

Inspect the leaks carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Axles & Wheels

Worth checking

Inspect the axles & wheels carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Brakes

Worth checking

Inspect the brakes carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your Plus 4's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

Plus 4 2000s revival

2000s revival (2005-2018)

Excellent
PETROL

9.9% fail rate, built around 2016 (9 years old)

Likely between 5.9% and 16.2%

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 5 MOTs, 20.8%)

From 131 MOT tests at this ageView details →
Plus 4 Series II–V

Series II–V (1955-2000)

Excellent
PETROL

14.3% fail rate, built before 2000 (over 25 years old)

Likely between 11.1% and 18.2%

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 4 MOTs, 25.2%)

From 377 MOT tests at this ageView details →

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Morgan Plus 4.

See every build year for the Morgan Plus 4

Side-by-side

Morgan Plus 4 generations compared

Each generation is shown at 7 years old if it has at least 100 MOT tests at that age. If not, or if its cars are too new to be 7, it's shown at another age. We try ages close to 7 first. Newer generations have fewer years of data.

GenerationRatingFail rate
2000s revival (2005-2018)
Excellent
Excellent9.9%likely between 5.9% and 16.2%built around 2016 (9 years old)from 131 MOT tests at this age
Series II–V (1955-2000)
Excellent
Excellent14.3%likely between 11.1% and 18.2%built before 2000 (over 25 years old)from 377 MOT tests at this age

Each row is one generation of the Plus 4, shown at the age printed under its fail rate. So rows can be different ages. Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail, retests included. A rating is given only when there are enough tests to place the fail rate in one rating band with 95% confidence.

By age

Morgan Plus 4 fail rate by age

This chart combines every Morgan Plus 4 ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
764.0%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
979.3%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
777.8%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
1029.8%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
1319.9%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
853.5%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
7510.7%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
504.0%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
6612.1%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
776.5%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
633.2%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
7719.5%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
777.8%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
559.1%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
37714.3%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 16 years old.

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 25+ year old Morgan Plus 4 models

These issues come from 25+ year old Morgan Plus 4 models, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelNot enough data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Oil leak, but not excessive

    12.2%
    Advisory: 56Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    5.0%
    Advisory: 36Fail: 2 (5% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Wheel bearing has slight play

    4.0%
    Advisory: 21Fail: 1 (5% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Brake binding slightly

    3.5%
    Advisory: 9Fail: 5 (36% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Major

    Brakes uneven from one side to the other

    2.6%
    Advisory: 2Fail: 10 (83% of the times it was found)

Based on 377 MOT tests on 25+ year old Morgan Plus 4 models, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 25+ year old Morgan Plus 4 models notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelNot much data
  1. Fuel & oil + Other23%
  2. Brakes + Other16%
  3. Fuel & oil + Tyres15%
  4. Brakes + Lighting12%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 74 MOT tests on Morgan Plus 4 cars built before 2000 (over 25 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

Not enough registration data to show this for the Morgan Plus 4.

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Recall context

DVSA's recall list has no recalls filed under the Morgan Plus 4 name. For the exact car, check with the maker or GOV.UK's recall checker.

Like-for-like

Other convertibles to compare

Other convertibles to compare

  1. 1

    Mercedes-Benz SL

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    17.1%
    Still registered at 10 years
    90.5%

    No clear edge over the Morgan Plus 4 on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    5,842 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  2. 2

    Mazda MX-5

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    27.2%
    Still registered at 10 years
    97.6%

    No clear edge over the Morgan Plus 4 on these figures.

    2 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    16,460 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  3. 3

    MG B

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    15.5%

    No clear edge over the Morgan Plus 4 on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    2,865 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  4. 4

    Alfa Romeo Spider

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    25.8%

    No clear edge over the Morgan Plus 4 on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    1,562 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built before 2000 (over 25 years old), the Morgan Plus 4 across all generations combined fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. This is based on 377 25+ year old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Morgan Plus 4 ever sold: 1,485 tests. The main figures are for cars built before 2000 (over 25 years old): 377 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.