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1980 MG Roadster MOT Pass Rate

Pass rate for Roadster models manufactured in 1980, based on 217 real MOT test results.

66.8%
Pass Rate
33.2%
Fail Rate
217
Total Tests
47,196
Avg Mileage

Data from official DVSA MOT testing records

1980 MG Roadster MOT Analysis

The 1980 MG Roadster has an MOT pass rate of 66.8% based on 217 tests — slightly above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 47,196 miles on the odometer. With a 33.2% failure rate, the 1980 Roadster is rated as "Good" for MOT reliability.

The leading cause of MOT failure for the 1980 MG Roadster is Brakes, responsible for 1.8% of failures. 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 range from £150–400. Non-component advisories is the second most common issue at 1.4%. Suspension follows at 1.4%.

Top failures specific to 1980 models only. The overall Roadster page may show different rankings.

What Fails Most

Brakes 1.8%
Non-component advisories 1.4%
Suspension 1.4%

What Fails on This Car?

Click a category to see specific failure items.

View as table
MOT failure categories ranked by failure rate
RankFailure CategoryRate (%)Count
1Brakes1.8%4
2Non-component Advisories1.4%3
3Suspension1.4%3
4Noise, Emissions And Leaks0.9%2
5Lamps, Reflectors And Electrical Equipment0.5%1
6Visibility0.5%1

Failures per 10,000 Miles

avg. 47,196 mi

For 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.

Brakes0.39% per 10K miNon-component advisories0.29% per 10K miSuspension0.29% per 10K miNoise, emissions and leaks0.20% per 10K miLamps & Electrical0.10% per 10K miVisibility0.10% per 10K mi
View as table
Mileage-normalised failure rates by category
CategoryRate / 10K miRaw %Count
Brakes0.391.8%4
Non-component advisories0.291.4%3
Suspension0.291.4%3
Noise, emissions and leaks0.200.9%2
Lamps & Electrical0.100.5%1
Visibility0.100.5%1

Mileage Statistics

47,196
Mean
24,076
Median
10,610
25th Percentile
74,794
75th Percentile
7.03% failures per 10K miles

Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.

About This Data

The 1980 MG Roadster has an MOT pass rate of 66.8% based on 217 tests — slightly above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 47,196 miles on the odometer. With a 33.2% failure rate, the 1980 Roadster is rated as "Good" for MOT reliability.

If you own or are considering buying a 1980 MG Roadster, you can expect reliable MOT performance overall. Before your MOT, pay particular attention to brakes: 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). With relatively low average mileage of 47,196 miles, many of these vehicles are still in good mechanical condition.

Brakes — 1.8% of failures

Brakes issues account for 1.8% of MOT failures on 1980 MG Roadster 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).

Non-component advisories — 1.4% of failures

Non-component advisories issues account for 1.4% of MOT failures on 1980 MG Roadster models. Non-component advisories issues are a common cause of MOT failure. Regular inspection and maintenance of these components helps ensure your vehicle passes its MOT. Typical repair costs: £100–400. Pre-MOT check: Have this system checked during regular servicing. Look for warning signs like unusual noises, vibrations, or dashboard warning lights.

Suspension — 1.4% of failures

Suspension issues account for 1.4% of MOT failures on 1980 MG Roadster 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.

Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.

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