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MOT History from tests of petrol AUSTIN A40s year 1971

Review the list of common AUSTIN A40 failures below or to perform a specific mot history check on your AUSTIN then use our popular KnowYourCar service

mot history
Pass percent:69.94%
(The average a petrol AUSTIN A40 year 1971 passes without issue)
Based on:346 MOT Tests
Most common failuresNo# failures
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.B.7|23
Service brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.B.7|16
Brakes imbalanced across an axle13
Headlamp aim out of alignment12
Registration plate lamp issues11
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort11
Nearside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|10
Nearside Front Axle king pin has excessive play in pin and/or bush adversely affecting the steering |2.5.A.3a|9
Rear brake binding8
Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|7
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|7
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.C.1b|6
Nearside Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|5
Offside Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|5
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel |3.1.6b|5
Horn not working |1.6.2a|5
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively5
Registration plate issues4
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|4
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|4
Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle |6.2.B.1b|3
Offside Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|3
Offside Front Front wheel bearing rough when rotated |2.5.A.2|3
Nearside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|3
Offside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|3
Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel |steering box fitted| |2.2.A.1a|3
Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak |2.7.3|3
Exhaust system not adequately supported |7.1.1|3
Service brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.C.1a|3
Brake hose has insufficient room to move3
Steering box has relative movement between sector shaft and the drop arm |2.2.B.1b|3
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|3
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|3
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|2
Nearside Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle |6.2.B.1b|2
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|2
Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|2
Service brake is causing the steering wheel to severely pull one way |3.7.C.2|2
Headlamp switch faulty |1.7.1|2
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|2
Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|2
Offside front brake binding |3.7.B.1|2
Nearside Front Lower Front suspension has excessive movement at a wishbone pin or bush |2.5.A.1c|2
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|2
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|2
Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|2
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering |6.1.A.1|2
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|2
Brake pipe excessively corroded2
Brake performance not tested |3.7.A.1|2
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|2
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|2
Offside Rear Braking system leaking |3.6.A.1|2
Offside Front Axle king pin has excessive play in pin and/or bush adversely affecting the steering |2.5.A.3a|2
Rear Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion |6.1.C.1|2
Parking brake lever, pawl mechanism pivot|s| or their associated mountings locking device insecure |3.1.4b|2
Nearside Steering pivot point has excessive play |2.2.B.1g|1
Front front brake juddering severely |3.7.A.2b|1
Nearside Rear Rear position lamp|s| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.1.A.3f|1
Nearside Front Lower Axle swivel joint has excessive movement between a swivel joint and its housing |2.5.A.1b|1
Offside Front Lower Axle swivel joint has excessive movement between a swivel joint and its housing |2.5.A.1b|1
Nearside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded floorpan at front of leaf spring |2.4.A.3|1
Speedometer cannot be illuminated |7.8 |c| |ii||1
Nearside Stop lamp|s| not working |4.3.1 |a| |ii||1
Nearside Rear Direction indicator light intensity significantly reduced affected by the operation of another lamp |4.4.3 |a||1
Nearside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired |5.3.6 |a| |i||1
Nearside Front Upper Suspension component pin or bush excessively worn trunnion |5.3.4 |a| |i||1
Offside Front Upper Suspension component pin or bush excessively worn trunnion |5.3.4 |a| |i||1
Nearside Front Seat belt installation has an anchorage without suitable reinforcement |10.1 |f||1
Offside Front Seat belt installation has an anchorage without suitable reinforcement |10.1 |f||1
Parking brake efficiency below requirements |1.4.2 |a| |i||1
Rear Direction indicator adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.4.A.2h|1
Rear Stop lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.2.1f|1
Rear position lamp|s| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.1.A.3f|1
Offside Front Upper Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|1
Offside Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced |1.7.5a|1
Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|1
Offside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.2.C.1c|1
Service brake is causing the vehicle to swerve to the offside |3.7.C.2|1
Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|1
Nearside Rear Parking brake mechanism/associated mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |3.1.9|1
Offside Lower Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|1
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|1
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|1
Nearside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|1
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|1
Nearside front brake binding |3.7.B.1|1
Offside Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|1
Nearside Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|1
Offside Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|1
Offside Front front brake binding |3.7.B.1|1
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|1
Nearside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour |1.4.A.2f|1
Offside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour |1.4.A.2f|1
Offside Inner Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|1
Nearside Front Upper Axle king pin has excessive play in pin and/or bush adversely affecting the steering |2.5.A.3a|1
Nearside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired |2.4.A.3|1
Offside Axle king pin has excessive play in pin and/or bush adversely affecting the steering |2.5.A.3a|1
Centre Rear Brake hose leaking |3.6.A.1|1
Rear Parking brake lever is fouling adjacent parts of the vehicle |3.1.6b|1
Rear Brake performance not tested |3.7.A.1|1
Rear Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|1
Nearside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play |2.5.A.3c|1
Offside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play |2.5.A.3c|1
Nearside Front Front wheel bearing rough when rotated |2.5.A.2|1
Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|1
Offside Rear Brake hose excessively damaged |3.6.B.4d|1
Offside Front Drag link end ball joint dust cover missing |2.2.C.1c|1
Inner Front Drag link end ball joint dust cover missing |2.2.C.1c|1
Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|1
Windscreen wiper blade insecure1
Front Brake pipe inadequately clipped |3.6.B.1|1
Nearside Rear Lower Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|1
Offside Rear Lower Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|1
Nearside Front Lower Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|1
Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|1
Offside Front Shock absorber has an excessively worn linkage |2.7.4|1
Nearside Front Lower Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint |2.5.B.1a|1
Offside Front Lower Front suspension has excessive movement at a wishbone pin or bush |2.5.A.1c|1
Nearside Front Upper Front suspension has excessive movement at a wishbone pin or bush |2.5.A.1c|1
Nearside Parking brake recording little or no effort |3.7.D.3a|1
Steering box deformed and unserviceable |2.2.C.1d|1
Offside Front Steering pivot point has excessive play |2.2.B.1g|1
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|1
Nearside Rear Braking system leaking |3.6.A.1|1
Nearside Front Steering component damaged and unserviceable |2.2.C.1d|1
Offside Front Steering component damaged and unserviceable |2.2.C.1d|1
Nearside Front Seat belt insecurely fixed to the vehicles structure |5.2.1a|1
Offside Front Seat belt insecurely fixed to the vehicles structure |5.2.1a|1
Nearside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|1
Offside Front Brake hose twisted |3.6.B.4c|1
Rear Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement1
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|1
Nearside Front Steering pivot point has excessive play |2.2.B.1g|1
Steering system excessively tight |2.2.D.1|1
Steering system excessively rough |2.2.D.1|1
Offside Front Headlamp not in good working order |not working| |1.2.4a|1
Rear Hydraulic brake cylinder leaking hydraulic fluid |3.6.A.1|1
Offside Front Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|1
Nearside Front Direction indicator adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.4.A.2h|1
Offside Front Direction indicator adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.4.A.2h|1
Nearside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a pin or bush of an upper wishbone inner bearing |2.5.B.1a|1
Offside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a pin or bush of an upper wishbone inner bearing |2.5.B.1a|1
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak |2.7.3|1
Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak |2.7.3|1
Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement1
Driver`s seat insecure |6.2.A.1|1
Front passenger seat insecure |6.2.3|1
Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|1
Steering arm has relative movement at its fixings |2.2.B.1h|1
Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|1
Nearside Lower Front suspension has excessive play in a upper suspension ball joint |2.5.B.1a|1
Nearside Upper Front suspension has excessive play in a upper suspension ball joint |2.5.B.1a|1
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering |6.1.A.1|1
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired |2.4.A.3|1
Offside Front wheel bearing has excessive play |2.5.A.3c|1
Rear Body or chassis has an inadequate repair, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|1
Nearside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|1
Offside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|1
Nearside Vehicle structure has an inadequate repair, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|1
Offside Vehicle structure has an inadequate repair, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|1
Offside Front Braking system leaking |3.6.A.1|1
Rear Exhaust mounting missing |7.1.1b|1
Windscreen washer control missing |8.2.1a|1
Nearside Front Shock absorbers has negligible damping effect (5.3.2 (d))1
Offside Front Shock absorbers has negligible damping effect (5.3.2 (d))1
Nearside Front Wheel bearing has excessive play (5.1.3 (a) (i))1
Nearside Rear Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))1
Service brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.2.2 (a) (ii))1
Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.4.2 (a) (ii))1
Direction indicators not working |1.4.A.2c|1
Offside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated |2.5.A.2|1
Inner Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|1
Offside Front Driver`s seat insecure |6.2.A.1|1
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm fractured |2.4.G.1|1
Headlamp switch insecure |1.7.1|1
Nearside Front Brake pipe fouled by moving parts |3.6.B.2a|1
Nearside Front Brake pipe inadequately clipped |3.6.B.1|1
Offside Front Upper Shock absorber has an excessively worn linkage |2.7.4|1
Nearside Lower Front suspension has excessive movement at a wishbone pin or bush |2.5.A.1c|1
Nearside Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|1
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported |7.1.1|1
Nearside Indicator tell tale inoperative |1.4.A.2a|1
Offside Indicator tell tale inoperative |1.4.A.2a|1
Offside Outer Front Upper Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|1
Rear Fuel pipe leaking |7.2.3|1
Nearside Front Body has a projection caused by damage |6.1.C.1|1
Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower wishbone bearing |2.5.B.1a|1
Exhaust engine idle speed too high |7.3.A.2a|1
Offside Parking brake efficiency below requirements |3.7.B.7|1
Fuel system component insecure |7.2.1|1
Offside Leaf spring to axle securing nut insecure |2.4.B.7b|1
Nearside Leaf spring to axle securing nut insecure |2.4.B.7b|1
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|1
Exhaust emits visible black smoke at idle |7.3.A.2b|1
Nearside Inner Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.2.C.1c|1
Nearside Outer Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.2.C.1c|1
Nearside Front Statutory seat belt missing |5.1.1|1
Offside Front Statutory seat belt missing |5.1.1|1
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases exhaust blow front joint to manifold (6.1.2 (a))1
Nearside Rear Inner Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))1
Rear Stop lamp(s) remains on when the brakes are released (4.3.2 (a) (iii))1
Nearside Front Service brake has no recorded effort at a wheel (1.2.1 (a) (ii))1
Offside Front Service brake has no recorded effort at a wheel (1.2.1 (a) (ii))1
Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))1
Nearside Direction indicators not working |1.4.A.2c|1
Offside Rear Lower Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|1
Nearside Front Brake hose excessively damaged |3.6.B.4d|1
Offside Front Direction indicator insecure |1.4.A.2b|1
Nearside Upper Front suspension has excessive play in a upper wishbone bearing |2.5.B.1a|1
Nearside Front front brake juddering severely |3.7.A.2b|1
Front brake application uneven1
Nearside Rear front parking brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.6a|1
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|1
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|1
Brake hose damaged1
Offside Front Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside |1.8|1
Nearside Rear Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion |6.1.C.1|1
Offside Rear Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion |6.1.C.1|1
Nearside Rear Brake linkage has abnormal movement of levers indicating maladjustment |3.5.1f|1
Offside Rear Brake linkage has abnormal movement of levers indicating maladjustment |3.5.1f|1
Offside Rear Hydraulic brake cylinder leaking hydraulic fluid |3.6.A.1|1
Brake relay lever excessively worn and seriously weakened |3.5.1e|1
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|1
Nearside Outer Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|1
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|1
Offside Outer Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|1
Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak |2.7.3|1

We get to these numbers by trawling through over 1 billion MOT test results since 2004 and crunched the numbers. We remove anything to do with Tyres, as they are model independent and group together common non-model specific issues. We are trying to get to a picture of what models have what issues.

Please note: We take the data from the DVSA. This data is raw and can contain typos and spelling mistakes that garages may have entered while recording a MOT result. Specifically miss-match on names of models and makes. We are constantly cleaning the data so bear with the odd issue.

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