1989 Morgan Plus 4 MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for Plus 4 models manufactured in 1989, based on 187 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
1989 Morgan Plus 4 MOT Analysis
The 1989 Morgan Plus 4 has an MOT pass rate of 77.0% based on 187 tests — well above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 41,214 miles on the odometer. With a 23.0% failure rate, the 1989 Plus 4 is rated as "Excellent" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 1989 Morgan Plus 4 is Brakes, responsible for 2.1% 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. Tyres is the second most common issue at 2.1%. Identification of the vehicle follows at 1.1%.
Top failures specific to 1989 models only. The overall Plus 4 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 | Brakes | 2.1% | 4 |
| 2 | Tyres | 2.1% | 4 |
| 3 | Identification Of The Vehicle | 1.1% | 2 |
| 4 | Lamps, Reflectors And Electrical Equipment | 1.1% | 2 |
| 5 | Suspension | 1.1% | 2 |
| 6 | Speedometer And Speed Limiter | 0.5% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 41,214 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 | 0.52 | 2.1% | 4 |
| Tyres | 0.52 | 2.1% | 4 |
| Identification of the vehicle | 0.26 | 1.1% | 2 |
| Lamps & Electrical | 0.26 | 1.1% | 2 |
| Suspension | 0.26 | 1.1% | 2 |
| Speedometer and speed limiter | 0.13 | 0.5% | 1 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 1989 Morgan Plus 4 has an MOT pass rate of 77.0% based on 187 tests — well above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 41,214 miles on the odometer. With a 23.0% failure rate, the 1989 Plus 4 is rated as "Excellent" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 1989 Morgan Plus 4, 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 41,214 miles, many of these vehicles are still in good mechanical condition.
Brakes — 2.1% of failures
Brakes issues account for 2.1% of MOT failures on 1989 Morgan Plus 4 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).
Tyres — 2.1% of failures
Tyres issues account for 2.1% of MOT failures on 1989 Morgan Plus 4 models. Tyre failures include tread depth below the legal minimum of 1.6mm, cuts, bulges, exposed cords, and incorrect tyre pressure. Tyres are one of the most common and easiest-to-prevent MOT failures. Typical repair costs: £50–200 per tyre. Pre-MOT check: Check tread depth with a 20p coin — if the outer band is visible, the tyre is too worn. Look for bulges, cuts, or embedded objects. Ensure all tyres match the recommended size and load rating.
Identification of the vehicle — 1.1% of failures
Identification of the vehicle issues account for 1.1% of MOT failures on 1989 Morgan Plus 4 models. Identification failures relate to the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and registration plate. The VIN must be permanently displayed and legible, and the registration plate must meet British Standard formatting. Typical repair costs: £10–50. Pre-MOT check: Ensure the VIN plate is visible and legible (usually in the windscreen or under the bonnet). Check that number plates are clean, undamaged, and use the correct font and spacing.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.