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MOT History from tests of petrol TRIUMPH SPITFIREs year 1978

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:60.04%
(The average a petrol TRIUMPH SPITFIRE year 1978 passes without issue)
Based on:4,767 MOT Tests
Most common failuresNo# failures
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.B.7|449
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive |7.3.B.1a|412
Headlamp aim out of alignment244
Brakes imbalanced across an axle224
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively196
Registration plate lamp issues191
Rear brake binding189
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive |7.3.B.1b|159
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort144
Horn not working |1.6.2a|110
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel |3.1.6b|103
Service brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.B.7|101
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|93
Offside Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|89
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|88
Nearside Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|82
Brake pipe excessively corroded64
Rear brake application uneven62
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|58
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|55
All position lamps not working |1.1.A.3b|52
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|51
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition on |1.4.B.1f|49
Direction indicators not working |1.4.A.2c|48
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition off |1.4.B.1f|47
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|44
Registration plate issues42
Battery insecure |1.9.1|41
Hazard warning switch faulty |1.4.B.1d|41
Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|39
Brake hose has insufficient room to move38
Offside Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|34
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|32
Offside Front wheel bearing has excessive play |2.5.A.3c|31
Hazard warning tell tale not working correctly |1.4.B.1e|31
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|31
Brake hose excessively deteriorated31
Nearside front brake binding |3.7.B.1|31
Nearside Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|31
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|31
Offside front brake binding |3.7.B.1|31
Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|31
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|30
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|30
Offside Steering rack gaiter split |2.2.D.2d|30
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|30
Hazard warning lamps inoperative |1.4.B.1b|28
Offside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|28
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|27
Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle |6.2.B.1b|27
Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|27
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|27
Direction indicators flashing less than 60 times a minute |1.4.A.2g|26
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|26
Nearside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|25
Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|25
Front passenger door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle |6.2.B.1b|25
Nearside Rear position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|24
Nearside Front wheel bearing has excessive play |2.5.A.3c|24
Nearside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|24
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))24
Offside Rear position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|24
Driver`s door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle |6.2.B.1b|24
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|23
Driver`s seat insecure |6.2.A.1|23
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|22
Steering column top mounting bracket insecure |2.1.2d|22
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|21
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|21
Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel |steering rack fitted| |2.2.A.1b|21
Driver`s door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle |6.2.B.1b|21
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive |8.2.1.2 |b||21
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|21
Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.2.C.1c|19
Windscreen washer not working 19
Rear Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement19
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|18
Offside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|18
Nearside Steering rack gaiter split |2.2.D.2d|18
Brake pedal spongy |3.3.B.1b|18
Offside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.2.C.1c|17
Offside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated |2.5.A.2|17
Front brake application uneven17
Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|16
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|16
Nearside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play |2.5.A.3c|16
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported |7.1.1|16
Fuel system component leaking |7.2.3|15
Offside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play |2.5.A.3c|15
Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter split |2.2.D.2d|15
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|15
Offside Front Steering rack gaiter split |2.2.D.2d|14
Offside Rear Braking system leaking |3.6.A.1|14
Offside Front Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|13
Steering wheel retaining device insecure |2.1.6|13
Parking brake efficiency below requirements |1.4.2 |a| |i||13
Front Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on |8.2.1b|13
Position lamp switch faulty |1.1.A.1|13
Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|13
Offside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|13
Parking brake lever has excessive side play in the pivot and may disengage |3.1.4a|12
Nearside Front front brake binding |3.7.B.1|12
Offside Front front brake binding |3.7.B.1|12
Offside Rear position lamp|s| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance |1.1.A.3d|12
Nearside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated |2.5.A.2|12
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|12
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|12
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|12
Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))11
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.C.1b|11
Steering rack insecure |2.2.B.1a|11
Rear Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|11
Offside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.2.C.1c|11
Offside Rear position lamp|s| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.1.A.3f|10
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired |2.4.A.3|10
Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|10
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|10
Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement10
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired |2.4.A.3|10
rear brakes release unevenly |3.7.B.4|10
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|10
Offside Front Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|10
Nearside Rear Direction indicators not working |1.4.A.2c|10
Offside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|10
Offside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|10
Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on |8.2.1b|10
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering |6.1.A.1|9
Brake performance not tested |3.7.A.1|9
Steering column movement between the shaft and steering wheel |2.1.2b|9
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive |8.2.1.2 |b||9
Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|9
Brake pedal creeps down when held under pressure |3.3.B.1a|9
Brake pipe inadequately clipped |3.6.B.1|9
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))9
Stop lamp remains on when the brakes are released9
Emissions not tested |7.0|8
Fuel hose leaking |7.2.3|8
Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.2.C.1c|8
Driver`s seat cannot be secured in the upright position. |6.2.A.2|8
Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|8
Indicator tell tale inoperative |1.4.A.2a|8
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|8
Headlamp switch faulty |1.7.1|8
Steering column top bearing excessively worn |2.1.2c|8
Offside Front Seat belt retracting mechanism defective |5.2.5b|8
Nearside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|8
Brake pedal anti-slip provision missing |3.3.A.1b|8
Offside Seat belt retracting mechanism defective |5.2.5b|8
Nearside Rear position lamp|s| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.1.A.3f|8
Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|8
Nearside Front Direction indicators not working |1.4.A.2c|8
Offside Rear Direction indicators not working |1.4.A.2c|8
Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|7
Nearside Direction indicators flashing less than 60 times a minute |1.4.A.2g|7
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|7
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|7
Offside Lower Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|7
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|7
Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint |2.5.B.1a|7
Windscreen has damage7
Bootlid cannot be secured in the closed position |6.4.1|7
Nearside Steering rack gaiter insecure |2.2.D.2d|7
Driver`s seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism not functioning as intended. |6.2.A.3|7
Offside Stop lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.2.1f|7
Nearside Front Brake hose twisted |found during steering lock to lock check| |2.2.D.2b|7
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|7
Offside Front Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion |6.1.C.1|7
Exhaust system not adequately supported |7.1.1|7
Nearside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|7
Front passenger seat insecure |6.2.3|7
Offside Rear Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))7
Exhaust engine idle speed too high |7.3.A.2a|7
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|6
Nearside Rear Rear position lamp|s| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance |1.1.A.3d|6
Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|6
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering |6.1.A.1|6
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working |4.4.1 |a| |ii||6
Direction indicators flashing more than 120 times a minute |1.4.A.2g|6
Nearside Rear Braking system leaking |3.6.A.1|6
Nearside Front Seat belt retracting mechanism defective |5.2.5b|6
Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened6
Offside Obligatory mirror missing |8.1.1|6
Offside Rear Rear position lamp|s| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.1.A.3f|6
Nearside Front All position lamps not working |1.1.A.3b|6
Offside Front All position lamps not working |1.1.A.3b|6
Nearside Rear All position lamps not working |1.1.A.3b|6
Offside Rear All position lamps not working |1.1.A.3b|6
Nearside Front Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|6
Nearside Rear Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))6
Nearside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated |8.2.2|6
Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing has excessive play |2.6.2|6
Offside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|6
Nearside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|6
Offside Front Direction indicators not working |1.4.A.2c|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.

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