1979 Austin Morris Princess Hl MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for Princess Hl models manufactured in 1979, based on 38 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
1979 Austin Morris Princess Hl MOT Analysis
The 1979 Austin Morris Princess Hl has an MOT pass rate of 68.4% based on 38 tests — slightly above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 44,009 miles on the odometer. With a 31.6% failure rate, the 1979 Princess Hl is rated as "Good" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 1979 Austin Morris Princess Hl is Steering, responsible for 5.3% of failures. 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 range from £150–600. Noise, emissions and leaks is the second most common issue at 2.6%.
Top failures specific to 1979 models only. The overall Princess Hl page may show different rankings.
What Fails Most
What Fails on This Car?
Click a category to see specific failure items.
View as table
| Rank | Failure Category | Rate (%) | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Steering | 5.3% | 2 |
| 2 | Noise, Emissions And Leaks | 2.6% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 44,009 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 1.20 | 5.3% | 2 |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 0.60 | 2.6% | 1 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 1979 Austin Morris Princess Hl has an MOT pass rate of 68.4% based on 38 tests — slightly above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 44,009 miles on the odometer. With a 31.6% failure rate, the 1979 Princess Hl is rated as "Good" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 1979 Austin Morris Princess Hl, you can expect reliable MOT performance overall. Before your MOT, pay particular attention to steering: 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. With relatively low average mileage of 44,009 miles, many of these vehicles are still in good mechanical condition.
Steering — 5.3% of failures
Steering issues account for 5.3% of MOT failures on 1979 Austin Morris Princess Hl models. 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.
Noise, emissions and leaks — 2.6% of failures
Noise, emissions and leaks issues account for 2.6% of MOT failures on 1979 Austin Morris Princess Hl models. Emissions failures occur when exhaust gases exceed legal limits for carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), or particulate matter (diesel). Common causes include faulty oxygen sensors, clogged catalytic converters, or DPF issues on diesel vehicles. Typical repair costs: £100–1,000+. Pre-MOT check: If the engine management light is on, get it diagnosed before the MOT. For diesel cars, ensure the DPF has completed a regeneration cycle. Regular servicing and using premium fuel before the test can help.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.