MOT History from tests of petrol TRIUMPH SPITFIREs year 1971

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

mot history

Pass percent:64.26%

(The average a petrol TRIUMPH SPITFIRE year 1971 passes without issue)

Based on:11,631 MOT Tests

Most common failures	No# failures
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	1145
Headlamp aim out of alignment	639
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	552
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	494
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	444
Registration plate lamp issues	410
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	398
Rear brake binding	315
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	250
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	245
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	221
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	218
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	187
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	162
Brake hose has insufficient room to move	151
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	138
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	127
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	118
Rear brake application uneven	116
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	109
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	101
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	99
Driver`s seat insecure \|6.2.A.1\|	91
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	90
Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	88
Battery insecure \|1.9.1\|	87
All position lamps not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	87
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	86
Registration plate issues	86
Brake pipe excessively corroded	84
Offside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	81
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	80
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	80
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	79
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	78
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	75
Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	74
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	71
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	70
Nearside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	70
Offside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	69
Nearside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	68
Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	67
Front Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	66
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	64
Offside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	62
Nearside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	62
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	61
Driver`s door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	55
Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	55
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.1.A.3f\|	54
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	54
Nearside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	54
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	53
Offside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	52
Front passenger door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	51
Offside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	50
Offside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	49
Offside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	49
Nearside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	48
Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	47
Driver`s door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	44
Offside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	44
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	44
Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	43
Nearside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	42
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	41
Nearside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	41
Stop lamp remains on when the brakes are released	40
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.1.A.3f\|	40
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	40
Direction indicators flashing less than 60 times a minute \|1.4.A.2g\|	39
Offside Stop lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.2.1f\|	38
Front brake application uneven	38
Fuel system component leaking \|7.2.3\|	37
Rear Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	37
Indicator tell tale inoperative \|1.4.A.2a\|	35
Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	35
Nearside Stop lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.2.1f\|	34
Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	34
Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	33
Steering column top mounting bracket insecure \|2.1.2d\|	33
Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	33
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	32
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	32
Nearside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	31
Steering column top bearing excessively worn \|2.1.2c\|	31
Brake hose damaged	30
Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	30
Offside Rear Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	30
Nearside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	29
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	29
Offside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.2.C.1c\|	29
Offside Front Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	29
Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.2.C.1c\|	29
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.C.1b\|	28
Parking brake lever has excessive side play in the pivot and may disengage \|3.1.4a\|	28
Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.2.C.1c\|	28
Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	27
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	27
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	26
Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	25
Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	25
Brake pedal anti-slip provision missing \|3.3.A.1b\|	25
Offside Rear Braking system leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	25
Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.4.G.2\|	25
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	24
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition on \|1.4.B.1f\|	24
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	24
Nearside Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	24
Offside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	24
Nearside Rear Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	23
Offside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.4.G.2\|	23
Steering rack insecure \|2.2.B.1a\|	23
Hazard warning switch faulty \|1.4.B.1d\|	23
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	23
Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel \|steering rack fitted\| \|2.2.A.1b\|	23
Nearside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	23
Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	23
Exhaust engine idle speed too high \|7.3.A.2a\|	22
Steering column movement between the shaft and steering wheel \|2.1.2b\|	22
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	22
Offside Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	22
Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))	22
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	22
Parking brake efficiency below requirements \|1.4.2 \|a\| \|i\|\|	21
Nearside Rear Stop lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.2.1f\|	21
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition off \|1.4.B.1f\|	21
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	21
Offside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	20
Offside Front Brake pipe inadequately clipped \|3.6.B.1\|	20
Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	20
Brake pedal spongy \|3.3.B.1b\|	19
Nearside Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	19
Nearside Passenger`s seat insecure \|6.2.A.1\|	19
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired \|2.4.A.3\|	19
Offside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.4.G.2\|	19
Position lamp switch faulty \|1.1.A.1\|	19
Brake pipe inadequately clipped \|3.6.B.1\|	19
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.2.C.1c\|	19
Nearside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	19
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired \|2.4.A.3\|	18
Nearside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	18
Offside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	18
Offside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	18
Offside Front Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	18
Offside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	18
Front passenger seat insecure \|6.2.3\|	18
Nearside Rear Braking system leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	17
Front Brake pipe inadequately clipped \|3.6.B.1\|	17
Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	17
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	17
Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	17
Hazard warning tell tale not working correctly \|1.4.B.1e\|	17
Brake performance not tested \|3.7.A.1\|	16
Parking brake lever, pawl mechanism pivots or their associated mountings are insecure \|3.1.4b\|	16
Steering column flexible coupling has excessive play \|2.1.5\|	16
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	16
Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	16
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.2.C.1c\|	16
Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	16
Offside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.2.C.1c\|	16
Offside Obligatory mirror missing \|8.1.1\|	15
Offside Front Driver`s seat insecure \|6.2.A.1\|	15
Headlamp switch faulty \|1.7.1\|	15
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.2.C.1c\|	15
Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.4.G.2\|	15
Offside Rear Stop lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.2.1f\|	14
Horn not working \|7.7 \|a\| \|ii\|\|	14
Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	14
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	14
Offside Seat belt insecurely fixed to the vehicles structure \|5.2.1a\|	14
Fuel cap/sealing device sealing washer deteriorated \|7.2.4c\|	14
Nearside Front Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	14
Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	14
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	14
Offside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	14
Offside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	14
Indicator switch faulty \|1.4.A.1\|	14
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	13
Driver`s seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism not functioning as intended. \|6.2.A.3\|	13
Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is inadequately repaired \|5.2.6\|	13
Windscreen washer not working	13
Nearside Rear Direction indicator adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.4.A.2h\|	13
Fuel system component insecure \|7.2.1\|	13
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	13
Driver`s seat cannot be secured in the upright position. \|6.2.A.2\|	13
Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	13
Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	13
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.2.C.1c\|	13
Offside Front Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	13

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.

MOT History from tests of petrol TRIUMPH SPITFIREs year 1971

Find us on Facebook