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Triumph Spitfire reliability by build year

Coverage 1962-19801 named generationConvertiblePETROL

We've only got 583 MOT tests for Triumph Spitfires built before 2000 (over 25 years old). Treat these numbers as a rough guide.

At a glance

Triumph Spitfire built before 2000: about average at the MOT

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

Check a Triumph Spitfire by number plate

Key figure

18% of MOT tests on Triumph Spitfires built before 2000 ended in a fail (retests included), against 22% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Triumph Spitfires built before 2000 involves fluid leaks.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Triumph Spitfire'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.

Axles & Wheels

Worth checking

Inspect the axles & wheels 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.

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 Spitfire's generation

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

Spitfire Mk1–Mk4 / 1500

Mk1–Mk4 / 1500 (1962-1980)

Excellent
PETROL

18.2% fail rate, built before 2000 (over 25 years old)

Likely between 15.3% and 21.5%

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

From 583 MOT tests at this ageView details →

By age

Triumph Spitfire fail rate by age

This chart combines every Triumph Spitfire 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
58318.2%

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 Triumph Spitfires

These issues come from 25+ year old Triumph Spitfires, 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

    15.3%
    Advisory: 110Fail: 1 (1% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Wheel bearing has slight play

    6.7%
    Advisory: 48Fail: 5 (9% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Major

    Brakes uneven from one side to the other

    5.0%
    Advisory: 8Fail: 28 (78% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Major

    Exhaust emissions above the limit

    4.5%
    Advisory: 2Fail: 27 (93% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Brake binding slightly

    4.0%
    Advisory: 19Fail: 10 (34% of the times it was found)

Based on 583 MOT tests on 25+ year old Triumph Spitfires, 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 Triumph Spitfires 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. Brakes + Other21%
  2. Fuel & oil + Other19%
  3. Fuel & oil + Suspension17%
  4. Other + Suspension14%

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

Across 160 MOT tests on Triumph Spitfire 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 Triumph Spitfire.

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 Triumph Spitfire 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

    TVR Chimaera

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    12.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    6.3%
    Dangerous
    2.1%

    Lower fail rate: 12.5%, against 18.2% for the Triumph Spitfire, both built before 2000.

    2,536 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  2. 2

    Morgan 4/4

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    15.2%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    6%
    Dangerous
    1.9%

    Lower fail rate: 15.2%, against 18.2% for the Triumph Spitfire, both built before 2000.

    1,071 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  3. 3

    MG B

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    15.5%

    Lower fail rate: 15.5%, against 18.2% for the Triumph Spitfire, both built before 2000.

    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

    Lotus Elise

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    14.8%

    Lower fail rate: 14.8%, against 18.2% for the Triumph Spitfire, both built before 2000.

    2 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    2,026 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.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built before 2000 (over 25 years old), the Triumph Spitfire across all generations combined fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. This is based on 583 25+ year old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Triumph Spitfire ever sold: 583 tests. The main figures are for cars built before 2000 (over 25 years old): 583 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.