Austin Healey Mk1 MOT Pass Rate
Overall pass rate across all manufacture years, based on 32 real MOT test results. Failure rate: 15.6%.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
Austin Healey Mk1 MOT Reliability Overview
The Austin Healey Mk1 is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 32 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 1 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 84.4% and a failure rate of 15.6%, which is well above the UK average of approximately 37%.
Based on this data, the Austin Healey Mk1 earns a "Excellent" reliability rating. The average Austin Healey Mk1 presents for MOT with approximately 28,765 miles on the clock. The 1960 manufacture year performs best with a 83.9% pass rate.
The most common MOT failure for the Austin Healey Mk1 is Brakes, affecting 43.8% of all tests. Brake-related failures include worn brake pads, corroded brake discs, leaking brake lines, and faulty brake servos. These are safety-critical components — any brake deficiency will result in an MOT fail. The second most common issue is Suspension at 31.3%. Steering rounds out the top three at 9.4%. Together, these top 3 failure categories account for a significant portion of all MOT failures for this model.
Top failures across all manufacture years combined. Individual year pages may show different top failures.
What Fails Most
Pass Rate by Manufacture Year
* High Fail Rate badge indicates an MOT pass rate below 65% (failure rate above 35%).
What Fails on This Car?
Click a category to see specific failure items.
View as table
| Rank | Failure Category | Rate (%) | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 43.8% | 14 |
| 2 | Suspension | 31.3% | 10 |
| 3 | Tyres | 9.4% | 3 |
| 4 | Steering | 9.4% | 3 |
| 5 | Exhaust, Fuel And Emissions | 3.1% | 1 |
| 6 | Lamps, Reflectors And Electrical Equipment | 3.1% | 1 |
| 7 | Body, Structure And General Items | 3.1% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 28,765 miFor every 10,000 miles driven, this shows what percentage of MOT tests fail for each category. This accounts for how far cars are actually driven, not just raw pass/fail counts.
View as table
| Category | Rate / 10K mi | Raw % | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 15.21 | 43.8% | 14 |
| Suspension | 10.86 | 31.3% | 10 |
| Tyres | 3.26 | 9.4% | 3 |
| Steering | 3.26 | 9.4% | 3 |
| Emissions & Exhaust | 1.09 | 3.1% | 1 |
| Lamps & Electrical | 1.09 | 3.1% | 1 |
| Body & Structure | 1.09 | 3.1% | 1 |
🚗 Similar Cars to Consider
Mileage at MOT
The average Austin Healey Mk1 has 28,765 miles when tested for MOT.
📊 Mileage-Adjusted Failure Rate
How often this car fails MOT relative to how much it's driven — a fairer comparison than raw pass rate.
The Austin Healey Mk1 has a mileage-adjusted failure rate of 5.42% per 10,000 miles driven. The average across all makes is 5.38%, so this model is worse than average.
About Austin Healey Mk1 MOT Data
The Austin Healey Mk1 is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 32 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 1 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 84.4% and a failure rate of 15.6%, which is well above the UK average of approximately 37%.
For Austin Healey Mk1 owners, these results suggest a reliable vehicle that generally passes its MOT without major issues. Focus your pre-MOT checks on brakes and suspension for the best chance of a first-time pass. Use our detailed year-by-year breakdown and failure analysis below to understand how your specific Mk1 is likely to perform.
Brakes — 43.8% of failures
Brakes issues account for 43.8% of MOT failures on the Austin Healey Mk1. Brake-related failures include worn brake pads, corroded brake discs, leaking brake lines, and faulty brake servos. These are safety-critical components — any brake deficiency will result in an MOT fail. Typical repair costs: £150–400. Pre-MOT check: Listen for squealing or grinding noises. Check brake pedal feel — if it feels spongy or goes to the floor, have the system inspected immediately. Look at brake pad thickness through the wheel spokes (minimum 3mm).
Suspension — 31.3% of failures
Suspension issues account for 31.3% of MOT failures on the Austin Healey Mk1. Suspension failures typically involve worn bushes, leaking shock absorbers, broken coil springs, and damaged suspension arms. These affect ride quality, tyre wear, and road holding. Typical repair costs: £200–500. Pre-MOT check: Look for uneven tyre wear, listen for clunking over bumps, and check if the car pulls to one side. A bouncy ride suggests worn shock absorbers. Visually inspect coil springs for cracks.
Steering — 9.4% of failures
Steering issues account for 9.4% of MOT failures on the Austin Healey Mk1. Steering failures include excessive play in the steering wheel, leaking power steering fluid, worn track rod ends, and damaged steering rack. These affect vehicle control and are closely related to suspension wear. Typical repair costs: £150–600. Pre-MOT check: Check for excessive steering wheel play (more than a few inches of free movement). Listen for whining from the power steering pump. Look for fluid leaks under the car near the front wheels.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the Austin Healey Mk1?
Based on 32 (based on limited data) MOT tests in our database, the Austin Healey Mk1 has an overall pass rate of 84.4% (15.6% fail rate).
What are the most common MOT failures on a Austin Healey Mk1?
The top 3 reasons a Austin Healey Mk1 fails its MOT are: 1. Brakes (43.8%), 2. Suspension (31.3%), 3. Steering (9.4%). Check these areas before booking your MOT.
Is the Austin Healey Mk1 reliable?
With a 15.6% MOT failure rate, the Mk1 is more reliable than average compared to the UK average of ~40%.
What should I check before an MOT on my Austin Healey Mk1?
Based on failure data, focus on: Brakes (43.8%); Suspension (31.3%); Steering (9.4%). These are the areas most likely to cause a fail. Also check all lights, tyres (minimum 1.6mm tread), and windscreen condition — these are quick wins that apply to all cars.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.