Austin Healey Sprite Mk1 MOT Pass Rate
Overall pass rate across all manufacture years, based on 32 real MOT test results. Failure rate: 6.3%.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
Austin Healey Sprite Mk1 MOT Reliability Overview
The Austin Healey Sprite 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 93.8% and a failure rate of 6.3%, which is well above the UK average of approximately 37%.
Based on this data, the Austin Healey Sprite Mk1 earns a "Excellent" reliability rating. The average Austin Healey Sprite Mk1 presents for MOT with approximately 17,710 miles on the clock. The 1960 manufacture year performs best with a 93.3% pass rate.
The most common MOT failure for the Austin Healey Sprite Mk1 is Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment, affecting 6.3% of all tests. Lighting failures cover all external lights: headlights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, fog lights, and reflectors. A single blown bulb will cause an MOT fail. This is one of the most preventable failure categories. The second most common issue is Steering at 3.1%. Suspension rounds out the top three at 3.1%. 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 | Suspension | 12.5% | 4 |
| 2 | Brakes | 9.4% | 3 |
| 3 | Lamps, Reflectors And Electrical Equipment | 9.4% | 3 |
| 4 | Exhaust, Fuel And Emissions | 3.1% | 1 |
| 5 | Steering | 3.1% | 1 |
| 6 | Driver's View Of The Road | 3.1% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 17,710 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 7.06 | 12.5% | 4 |
| Brakes | 5.29 | 9.4% | 3 |
| Lamps & Electrical | 5.29 | 9.4% | 3 |
| Emissions & Exhaust | 1.76 | 3.1% | 1 |
| Steering | 1.76 | 3.1% | 1 |
| Visibility | 1.76 | 3.1% | 1 |
🚗 Similar Cars to Consider
Mileage at MOT
The average Austin Healey Sprite Mk1 has 17,710 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 Sprite Mk1 has a mileage-adjusted failure rate of 3.56% per 10,000 miles driven. The average across all makes is 5.38%, so this model is better than average.
About Austin Healey Sprite Mk1 MOT Data
The Austin Healey Sprite 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 93.8% and a failure rate of 6.3%, which is well above the UK average of approximately 37%.
For Austin Healey Sprite Mk1 owners, these results suggest a reliable vehicle that generally passes its MOT without major issues. Focus your pre-MOT checks on lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment and steering 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 Sprite Mk1 is likely to perform.
Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment — 6.3% of failures
Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment issues account for 6.3% of MOT failures on the Austin Healey Sprite Mk1. Lighting failures cover all external lights: headlights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, fog lights, and reflectors. A single blown bulb will cause an MOT fail. This is one of the most preventable failure categories. Typical repair costs: £5–50. Pre-MOT check: Walk around the car and check every light — headlights (dipped and main beam), side lights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, hazard lights, reverse light, rear fog light, and number plate lights. Replace any blown bulbs before the test.
Steering — 3.1% of failures
Steering issues account for 3.1% of MOT failures on the Austin Healey Sprite 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.
Suspension — 3.1% of failures
Suspension issues account for 3.1% of MOT failures on the Austin Healey Sprite 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the Austin Healey Sprite Mk1?
Based on 32 (based on limited data) MOT tests in our database, the Austin Healey Sprite Mk1 has an overall pass rate of 93.8% (6.3% fail rate).
What are the most common MOT failures on a Austin Healey Sprite Mk1?
The top 3 reasons a Austin Healey Sprite Mk1 fails its MOT are: 1. Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment (6.3%), 2. Steering (3.1%), 3. Suspension (3.1%). Check these areas before booking your MOT.
Is the Austin Healey Sprite Mk1 reliable?
With a 6.3% MOT failure rate, the Sprite Mk1 is more reliable than average compared to the UK average of ~40%.
What should I check before an MOT on my Austin Healey Sprite Mk1?
Based on failure data, focus on: Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment (6.3%); Steering (3.1%); Suspension (3.1%). 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.