Skip to main content
Check
Morris

Morris Minor reliability by build year

Coverage 1948-19711 named generationSaloonPETROL

We've only got 982 MOT tests for Morris Minors built before 2000 (over 25 years old). Treat these numbers as a rough guide.

At a glance

Morris Minor built before 2000: fails its MOT less often than average

Morris Minors built before 2000 fail their MOT less often than similar cars the same age. An independent inspection matters more than the wider numbers on cars this old.

Check a Morris Minor by number plate

Key figure

18% of MOT tests on Morris Minors built before 2000 ended in a fail (retests included), against 24% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Morris Minors built before 2000 involves fluid leaks.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Morris Minor'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.

Brakes

Worth checking

Inspect the brakes 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.

Suspension

Worth checking

Inspect the suspension 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 Minor's generation

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

Minor Series II/MM/Series III

Series II/MM/Series III (1948-1971)

Excellent
PETROL

17.7% fail rate, built before 2000 (over 25 years old)

Likely between 15.5% and 20.2%

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

From 982 MOT tests at this ageView details →

By age

Morris Minor fail rate by age

This chart combines every Morris Minor 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
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
98217.7%

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 25+ years old.

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 25+ year old Morris Minors

These issues come from 25+ year old Morris Minors, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelNot much 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

    13.8%
    Advisory: 167Fail: 5 (3% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Major

    Brakes uneven from one side to the other

    6.4%
    Advisory: 20Fail: 49 (71% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Brake binding slightly

    5.8%
    Advisory: 40Fail: 33 (45% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    4.4%
    Advisory: 70Fail: 2 (3% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    4.4%
    Advisory: 57Fail: 7 (11% of the times it was found)

Based on 982 MOT tests on 25+ year old Morris Minors, 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 Morris Minors notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelEnough data
  1. Brakes + Suspension21%
  2. Brakes + Other21%
  3. Fuel & oil + Suspension20%
  4. Brakes + Lighting19%

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

Across 241 MOT tests on Morris Minor 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 Morris Minor.

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 Morris Minor name. For the exact car, check with the maker or GOV.UK's recall checker.

Like-for-like

Other saloons to compare

Other saloons to compare

  1. 1

    Nissan Skyline

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    10.7%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    5.8%
    Dangerous
    2.1%

    Lower fail rate: 10.7%, against 17.7% for the Morris Minor, both built before 2000.

    1,007 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  2. 2

    Saab 9-3

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    26.9%

    No clear edge over the Morris Minor on these figures.

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

    1,327 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  3. 3

    BMW 3 Series

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    22.8%
    Still registered at 10 years
    89.8%

    No clear edge over the Morris Minor on these figures.

    15 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    17,892 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  4. 4

    BMW 5 Series

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    25.8%
    Still registered at 10 years
    82.6%

    No clear edge over the Morris Minor on these figures.

    12 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    4,939 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
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 Morris Minor across all generations combined fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. This is based on 982 25+ year old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Morris Minor ever sold: 982 tests. The main figures are for cars built before 2000 (over 25 years old): 982 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.