MOT History from tests of petrol MG Bs year 1981

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

mot history

Pass percent:69.42%

(The average a petrol MG B year 1981 passes without issue)

Based on:5,805 MOT Tests

Most common failures	No# failures
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive \|7.3.B.1a\|	345
Headlamp aim out of alignment	286
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive \|7.3.B.1b\|	198
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	145
Registration plate lamp issues	141
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	120
Rear brake binding	104
Offside Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	82
Rear brake application uneven	65
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	60
Rear fog lamp tell tale not working \|1.3.1b\|	57
Registration plate issues	54
Windscreen washer not working	53
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	50
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))	50
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	50
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	48
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	46
Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	46
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	45
Brake pipe excessively corroded	41
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	35
Nearside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	35
Offside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	34
Nearside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	33
Hazard warning switch faulty \|1.4.B.1d\|	31
Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	31
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	30
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))	28
Rear Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	27
All position lamps not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	27
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	26
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive \|8.2.1.2 \|b\|\|	25
Battery insecure \|1.9.1\|	25
Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	24
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition on \|1.4.B.1f\|	24
Fuel system component leaking \|7.2.3\|	24
Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	23
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	23
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	23
Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	23
Direction indicators flashing less than 60 times a minute \|1.4.A.2g\|	22
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	22
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	21
Hazard warning lamps inoperative \|1.4.B.1b\|	20
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	20
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition off \|1.4.B.1f\|	19
Offside Rear fog lamp missing \|1.3.2a\|	19
Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	18
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	18
Nearside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	18
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	18
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	17
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	16
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	16
Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	16
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	15
Front brake application uneven	15
Offside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	15
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive \|8.2.1.2 \|b\|\|	14
Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))	14
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	13
Nearside Front Axle king pin has excessive play in pin and/or bush adversely affecting the steering \|2.5.A.3a\|	13
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	13
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	13
Driver`s seat insecure \|6.2.A.1\|	13
Offside Front Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	12
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	12
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	12
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	12
Rear fog lamp missing \|1.3.2a\|	12
Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	11
Emissions not tested \|7.0\|	11
Nearside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))	11
Offside Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	11
Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	11
Nearside Rear Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))	10
Windscreen has damage	10
Offside Front Axle king pin has excessive play in pin and/or bush adversely affecting the steering \|2.5.A.3a\|	10
Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	10
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	10
Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	10
Brake pedal spongy \|3.3.B.1b\|	9
Hazard warning tell tale not working correctly \|1.4.B.1e\|	9
Rear Brake hose bulging under pressure \|3.6.B.3\|	9
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	9
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	9
Offside Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))	9
Offside Obligatory mirror missing \|8.1.1\|	9
Offside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	9
Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	9
Offside Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))	9
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	9
Offside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	9
Headlamp switch faulty \|1.7.1\|	9
Nearside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	9
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	8
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	8
Fuel hose leaking \|7.2.3\|	8
Stop lamp(s) all not working (4.3.1 (a) (iii))	8
Fuel pipe leaking \|7.2.3\|	8
Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	8
Offside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.2.C.1c\|	8
Offside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	8
Offside Rear Braking system leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	8
Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	8
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	7
Offside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	7
Fuel cap/sealing device does not fasten securely maintaining the sealing arrangement \|7.2.4b\|	7
Nearside Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))	7
Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	7
Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))	7
Exhaust engine idle speed too high \|7.3.A.2a\|	7
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	7
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.C.1b\|	7
Offside Front Wheel insecure \|4.2.A.1c\|	7
Main beam `tell-tale` not working \|1.7.4c\|	7
Nearside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	7
Fuel tank leaking \|7.2.3\|	7
Rear Fuel system component leaking \|7.2.3\|	7
Brake servo vacuum pipe collapsed \|3.6.C.1b\|	6
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))	6
Steering wheel retaining device insecure \|2.1.6\|	6
Offside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	6
Parking brake efficiency below requirements \|1.4.2 \|a\| \|i\|\|	6
Offside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	6
Offside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	6
Nearside Front Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	6
Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.2.C.1c\|	6
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	6
Nearside Front Wheel insecure \|4.2.A.1c\|	6
Offside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))	6
Offside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	6
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	6
Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.2.C.1c\|	6
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	6
Offside Steering rack gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.1.3 \|g\| \|ii\|\|	6

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.

Got suggestions? We’re improving this section all the time. If you have any suggestions, please let us know.

Most common failures	No# failures
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive \|7.3.B.1a\|	345
Headlamp aim out of alignment	286
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive \|7.3.B.1b\|	198
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	145
Registration plate lamp issues	141
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	120
Rear brake binding	104
Offside Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	82
Rear brake application uneven	65
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	60
Rear fog lamp tell tale not working \|1.3.1b\|	57
Registration plate issues	54
Windscreen washer not working	53
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	50
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))	50
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	50
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	48
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	46
Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	46
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	45
Brake pipe excessively corroded	41
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	35
Nearside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	35
Offside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	34
Nearside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	33
Hazard warning switch faulty \|1.4.B.1d\|	31
Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	31
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	30
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))	28
Rear Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	27
All position lamps not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	27
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	26
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive \|8.2.1.2 \|b\|\|	25
Battery insecure \|1.9.1\|	25
Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	24
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition on \|1.4.B.1f\|	24
Fuel system component leaking \|7.2.3\|	24
Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	23
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	23
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	23
Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	23
Direction indicators flashing less than 60 times a minute \|1.4.A.2g\|	22
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	22
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	21
Hazard warning lamps inoperative \|1.4.B.1b\|	20
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	20
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition off \|1.4.B.1f\|	19
Offside Rear fog lamp missing \|1.3.2a\|	19
Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	18
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	18
Nearside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	18
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	18
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	17
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	16
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	16
Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	16
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	15
Front brake application uneven	15
Offside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	15
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive \|8.2.1.2 \|b\|\|	14
Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))	14
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	13
Nearside Front Axle king pin has excessive play in pin and/or bush adversely affecting the steering \|2.5.A.3a\|	13
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	13
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	13
Driver`s seat insecure \|6.2.A.1\|	13
Offside Front Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	12
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	12
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	12
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	12
Rear fog lamp missing \|1.3.2a\|	12
Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	11
Emissions not tested \|7.0\|	11
Nearside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))	11
Offside Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	11
Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	11
Nearside Rear Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))	10
Windscreen has damage	10
Offside Front Axle king pin has excessive play in pin and/or bush adversely affecting the steering \|2.5.A.3a\|	10
Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	10
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	10
Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	10
Brake pedal spongy \|3.3.B.1b\|	9
Hazard warning tell tale not working correctly \|1.4.B.1e\|	9
Rear Brake hose bulging under pressure \|3.6.B.3\|	9
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	9
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	9
Offside Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))	9
Offside Obligatory mirror missing \|8.1.1\|	9
Offside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	9
Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	9
Offside Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))	9
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	9
Offside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	9
Headlamp switch faulty \|1.7.1\|	9
Nearside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	9
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	8
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	8
Fuel hose leaking \|7.2.3\|	8
Stop lamp(s) all not working (4.3.1 (a) (iii))	8
Fuel pipe leaking \|7.2.3\|	8
Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	8
Offside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.2.C.1c\|	8
Offside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	8
Offside Rear Braking system leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	8
Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	8
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	7
Offside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	7
Fuel cap/sealing device does not fasten securely maintaining the sealing arrangement \|7.2.4b\|	7
Nearside Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))	7
Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	7
Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))	7
Exhaust engine idle speed too high \|7.3.A.2a\|	7
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	7
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.C.1b\|	7
Offside Front Wheel insecure \|4.2.A.1c\|	7
Main beam `tell-tale` not working \|1.7.4c\|	7
Nearside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	7
Fuel tank leaking \|7.2.3\|	7
Rear Fuel system component leaking \|7.2.3\|	7
Brake servo vacuum pipe collapsed \|3.6.C.1b\|	6
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))	6
Steering wheel retaining device insecure \|2.1.6\|	6
Offside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	6
Parking brake efficiency below requirements \|1.4.2 \|a\| \|i\|\|	6
Offside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	6
Offside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	6
Nearside Front Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	6
Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.2.C.1c\|	6
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	6
Nearside Front Wheel insecure \|4.2.A.1c\|	6
Offside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))	6
Offside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	6
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	6
Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.2.C.1c\|	6
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	6
Offside Steering rack gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.1.3 \|g\| \|ii\|\|	6

MOT History from tests of petrol MG Bs year 1981

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