1961 Austin Sprite MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for Sprite models manufactured in 1961, based on 209 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
1961 Austin Sprite MOT Analysis
The 1961 Austin Sprite has an MOT pass rate of 78.9% based on 209 tests — well above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 33,891 miles on the odometer. With a 21.1% failure rate, the 1961 Sprite is rated as "Excellent" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 1961 Austin Sprite is Suspension, responsible for 1.0% of failures. 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 range from £200–500. Brakes is the second most common issue at 0.5%.
Top failures specific to 1961 models only. The overall Sprite page may show different rankings.
What Fails Most
What Fails on This Car?
Click a category to see specific failure items.
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| Rank | Failure Category | Rate (%) | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 1.0% | 2 |
| 2 | Brakes | 0.5% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 33,891 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.
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| Category | Rate / 10K mi | Raw % | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 0.28 | 1.0% | 2 |
| Brakes | 0.14 | 0.5% | 1 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 1961 Austin Sprite has an MOT pass rate of 78.9% based on 209 tests — well above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 33,891 miles on the odometer. With a 21.1% failure rate, the 1961 Sprite is rated as "Excellent" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 1961 Austin Sprite, you can expect reliable MOT performance overall. Before your MOT, pay particular attention to suspension: 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. With relatively low average mileage of 33,891 miles, many of these vehicles are still in good mechanical condition.
Suspension — 1.0% of failures
Suspension issues account for 1.0% of MOT failures on 1961 Austin Sprite models. 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.
Brakes — 0.5% of failures
Brakes issues account for 0.5% of MOT failures on 1961 Austin Sprite models. 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).
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.