MOT History from tests of petrol TRIUMPH SPITFIREs year 1981

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:62.74%

(The average a petrol TRIUMPH SPITFIRE year 1981 passes without issue)

Based on:3,261 MOT Tests

Most common failures	No# failures
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive \|7.3.B.1a\|	260
Headlamp aim out of alignment	162
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	155
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	154
Registration plate lamp issues	147
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	99
Offside Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	94
Rear brake binding	83
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	65
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	65
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	62
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive \|7.3.B.1b\|	61
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	56
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	56
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	43
Brake pipe excessively corroded	43
Registration plate issues	43
Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	36
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	36
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	35
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))	34
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition on \|1.4.B.1f\|	32
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition off \|1.4.B.1f\|	31
Hazard warning switch faulty \|1.4.B.1d\|	31
Rear fog lamp tell tale not working \|1.3.1b\|	28
Nearside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	27
Driver`s seat insecure \|6.2.A.1\|	27
Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	27
Hazard warning tell tale not working correctly \|1.4.B.1e\|	27
Rear brake application uneven	27
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	26
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	26
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	26
Offside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	26
Hazard warning lamps inoperative \|1.4.B.1b\|	25
Nearside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	24
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	23
Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	22
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	22
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	22
Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	22
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	20
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive \|8.2.1.2 \|b\|\|	20
Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	20
Battery insecure \|1.9.1\|	19
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	18
Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	18
Brake hose has insufficient room to move	18
Offside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	17
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	17
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
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	16
Offside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	15
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	14
All position lamps not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	14
Driver`s door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	14
Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	14
Windscreen washer not working	13
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	13
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))	13
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	12
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	12
Nearside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	12
Offside Obligatory mirror missing \|8.1.1\|	12
Rear Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	12
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	11
Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	11
Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	11
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	11
Rear fog lamp missing \|1.3.2a\|	11
Fuel system component leaking \|7.2.3\|	10
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	10
Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))	10
Offside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	10
Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	10
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\|	10
Offside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	10
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	10
Nearside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	9
Brake performance not tested \|3.7.A.1\|	9
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\|	9
Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	9
Headlamp switch faulty \|1.7.1\|	9
Offside Front Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	9
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	9
Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	9
Offside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	9
Nearside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	9
Nearside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	9
Offside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	9
Driver`s door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	9
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\|	9
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
Front passenger seat insecure \|6.2.3\|	8
Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.2.C.1c\|	8
Nearside Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	8
Parking brake efficiency below requirements \|1.4.2 \|a\| \|i\|\|	8
Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))	8
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	8
Horn not working (7.7 (a) (ii))	8
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	8
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	7
Front passenger door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	7
Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))	7
Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	7
Rear fog lamp not working \|4.5.1 \|a\| \|ii\|\|	7
Offside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	7
Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))	7
Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	7
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	7
Horn not loud enough to be heard by another road user \|1.6.2b\|	7
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	7
Steering rack insecure \|2.2.B.1a\|	7
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired \|2.4.A.3\|	7
Stop lamp(s) all not working (4.3.1 (a) (iii))	6
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	6
Nearside Front Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	6
Offside Front Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	6
Front brake application uneven	6
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\|	6
Front Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	6
Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel \|steering rack fitted\| \|2.2.A.1b\|	6
Offside 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 Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.2.C.1c\|	6
Offside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	6
Offside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))	6
Direction indicators flashing less than 60 times a minute \|1.4.A.2g\|	6
Offside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	6
Offside Rear fog lamp missing \|1.3.2a\|	6
Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	6
Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	6
Nearside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	6
Headlamp aim not tested \|1.8.A.1c\|	6
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.1.A.3f\|	6
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	6
Brake pedal creeps down while the pedal is held under pressure \|3.3.B.1a\|	6
Nearside Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	6
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	6
Horn not working (7.7 (a))	6
Parking brake lever has excessive side play in the pivot and may disengage \|3.1.4a\|	6
Position lamp switch faulty \|1.1.A.1\|	6
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.1.A.3f\|	6
Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	5
Front Passenger`s seat insecure \|6.2.A.1\|	5
Direction indicators flashing more than 120 times a minute \|1.4.A.2g\|	5
Nearside Rear Service brake excessively binding \|1.2.1 \|f\|\|	5
Driver`s seat cannot be secured in the upright position. \|6.2.A.2\|	5
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\|	5
Brake pedal creeps down when held under pressure \|3.3.B.1a\|	5
Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	5
Indicator switch faulty \|1.4.A.1\|	5
Offside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	5
Offside Seat belt retracting mechanism defective \|5.2.5b\|	5
Fuel cap/sealing device sealing washer deteriorated \|7.2.4c\|	5
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	5
Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|5.3.4 \|b\| \|ii\|\|	5
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	5
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	5
Nearside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	5
Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	5
Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	5
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	5
Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	5
Offside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	5
Exhaust engine idle speed too high \|7.3.A.2a\|	5
Emissions not tested \|7.0\|	5
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\|	5
Offside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))	5
Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	5
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	5
Offside Rear Braking system leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	4
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage insecure \|2.4.G.1\|	4
Nearside Rear Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	4
Offside Rear Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	4
Offside Front Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	4
Offside Seat belt damaged sufficient to obstruct correct operation of the belt \|5.2.2a\|	4
Steering column flexible coupling has excessive play \|2.1.5\|	4
Stop lamp remains on when the brakes are released	4
Rear Fuel hose leaking \|7.2.3\|	4
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar attachment bracket/mounting insecure \|2.4.G.1\|	4
Offside Front Anti-roll bar attachment bracket/mounting insecure \|2.4.G.1\|	4
Parking brake lever has excessive movement indicating incorrect adjustment (1.1.6 (c))	4
Rear fog lamp switch faulty \|1.3.1a\|	4
Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	4
All direction indicators not working \|4.4.1 \|a\| \|ii\|\|	4
Front Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	4
Offside Front Driver`s seat insecure \|6.2.A.1\|	4
Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	4
Nearside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	4
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	4
Nearside Ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	4
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	4
Stop lamp\|s\| all not working \|4.3.1 \|a\| \|iii\|\|	4
Service brake efficiency below requirements \|1.2.2 \|a\| \|i\|\|	4
Nearside Rear Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))	4
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive \|8.2.1.2 \|b\|\|	4
Offside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|5.3.4 \|b\| \|ii\|\|	4
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))	4
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))	4
Nearside Rear Braking system leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	4
Nearside Seat belt retracting mechanism defective \|5.2.5b\|	4
Nearside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	4
Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))	4
Offside Front Upper Front suspension ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.4.G.2\|	4
Nearside Stop lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.2.1f\|	4
Offside Rear Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))	4
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.C.1a\|	4
Rear Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	4
Offside Stop lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.2.1f\|	4
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))	4
Offside Direction indicators flashing less than 60 times a minute \|1.4.A.2g\|	4

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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MOT History from tests of petrol TRIUMPH SPITFIREs year 1981

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