MOT History from tests of petrol TRIUMPH SPITFIREs year 1979

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:59.01%

(The average a petrol TRIUMPH SPITFIRE year 1979 passes without issue)

Based on:6,053 MOT Tests

Most common failures	No# failures
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive \|7.3.B.1a\|	551
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	442
Registration plate lamp issues	348
Headlamp aim out of alignment	334
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	270
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	233
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	189
Rear brake binding	182
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive \|7.3.B.1b\|	181
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	146
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	138
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	134
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	116
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	112
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	103
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	101
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	90
Hazard warning switch faulty \|1.4.B.1d\|	69
Brake pipe excessively corroded	66
Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	65
Rear brake application uneven	62
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	60
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	58
Registration plate issues	58
All position lamps not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	57
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	56
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition on \|1.4.B.1f\|	56
Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	55
Battery insecure \|1.9.1\|	52
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition off \|1.4.B.1f\|	50
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	50
Hazard warning lamps inoperative \|1.4.B.1b\|	48
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	47
Hazard warning tell tale not working correctly \|1.4.B.1e\|	44
Offside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	43
Nearside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	43
Driver`s seat insecure \|6.2.A.1\|	42
Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	41
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	40
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	39
Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	39
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	39
Nearside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	38
Offside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	38
Offside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	38
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	38
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	38
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	37
Nearside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	37
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	37
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	36
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	34
Brake hose has insufficient room to move	34
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	33
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive \|8.2.1.2 \|b\|\|	33
Front passenger door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	33
Offside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	32
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))	31
Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	30
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	29
Direction indicators flashing less than 60 times a minute \|1.4.A.2g\|	29
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	28
Windscreen washer not working	27
Driver`s door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	27
Nearside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	27
Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.2.C.1c\|	26
Offside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.2.C.1c\|	26
Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	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
Driver`s door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	25
Offside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	24
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	23
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	22
Front brake application uneven	22
Offside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	21
Nearside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	21
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.1.A.3f\|	21
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	21
Offside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	21
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	20
Nearside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	20
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	20
Brake pedal spongy \|3.3.B.1b\|	20
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	20
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\|	20
Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel \|steering rack fitted\| \|2.2.A.1b\|	19
Parking brake efficiency below requirements \|1.4.2 \|a\| \|i\|\|	19
Front Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	18
Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	18
Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))	18
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\|	18
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	18
Steering column top mounting bracket insecure \|2.1.2d\|	18
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\|	18
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	18
Nearside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	18
Offside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	17
Offside Rear Braking system leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	17
Offside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	17
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	17
Offside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	17
Offside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	17
Offside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.2.C.1c\|	17
Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	17
Fuel system component leaking \|7.2.3\|	17
Offside Obligatory mirror missing \|8.1.1\|	16
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\|	16
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	16
Nearside Rear Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	16
Parking brake lever has excessive side play in the pivot and may disengage \|3.1.4a\|	16
Nearside Stop lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.2.1f\|	16
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired \|2.4.A.3\|	15
Emissions not tested \|7.0\|	15
Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.2.C.1c\|	15
Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	14
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\|	14
Nearside Rear Braking system leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	14
Nearside Passenger`s seat insecure \|6.2.A.1\|	14
Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	14
Nearside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	14
Nearside Front Seat belt retracting mechanism defective \|5.2.5b\|	13
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired \|2.4.A.3\|	13
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	13
Headlamp switch faulty \|1.7.1\|	13
Stop lamp remains on when the brakes are released	13
Driver`s seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism not functioning as intended. \|6.2.A.3\|	12
Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	12
Horn not working \|7.7 \|a\| \|ii\|\|	12
Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	12
Nearside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	12
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.1.A.3f\|	12
Steering column movement between the shaft and steering wheel \|2.1.2b\|	12
Offside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	11
Offside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	11
Nearside Front Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	11
Offside Front Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	11
Offside Rear Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	11
Offside Front Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	11
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive \|8.2.1.2 \|b\|\|	11
Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	11
Rear Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	11
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar attachment bracket/mounting fractured \|2.4.G.1\|	11
Offside Stop lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.2.1f\|	11
Nearside Seat belt retracting mechanism defective \|5.2.5b\|	10
Offside Rear Stop lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.2.1f\|	10
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	10
Exhaust engine idle speed too high \|7.3.A.2a\|	10
Nearside Front Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	10
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\|	10
Fuel cap/sealing device sealing washer deteriorated \|7.2.4c\|	10
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	10
rear brakes release unevenly \|3.7.B.4\|	10
Brake pedal has insufficient reserve movement \|3.3.A.5\|	10
Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	9
Windscreen has damage	9
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.C.1b\|	9
Nearside Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	9
Offside Front Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion \|6.1.C.1\|	9
Front passenger seat insecure \|6.2.3\|	9
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\|	9
Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	9
Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	9
Brake pedal creeps down when held under pressure \|3.3.B.1a\|	9
Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	9
Offside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))	8
Parking brake lever, pawl mechanism pivots or their associated mountings are insecure \|3.1.4b\|	8
Nearside Front Service brake excessively binding \|1.2.1 \|f\|\|	8
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	8
Brake performance not tested \|3.7.A.1\|	8
Offside Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	8
Indicator switch faulty \|1.4.A.1\|	8
Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	8
Windscreen wiper blade insecure	8
Nearside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	8
Stop lamp\|s\| all not working \|4.3.1 \|a\| \|iii\|\|	8
Indicator tell tale inoperative \|1.4.A.2a\|	8
Nearside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	8
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	8
Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	8
Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	8
Nearside Rear Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))	8
Nearside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	8
All direction indicators not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))	8
Offside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	8
Brake hydraulic reservoir fluid level below minimum level \|3.6.G.1b\|	8
Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	8
Offside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	8
Nearside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	8

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 1979

Find us on Facebook