1985 Reliant Rialto MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for Rialto models manufactured in 1985, based on 964 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
This page shows all Rialto cars tested in 1985. Want to see how cars built in 1985 hold up over time?
View 1985 Reliant Rialto vintage page → (67.6% current pass rate)1985 Reliant Rialto MOT Analysis
The 1985 Reliant Rialto has an MOT pass rate of 62.9% based on 964 tests — around the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 51,928 miles on the odometer. With a 37.1% failure rate, the 1985 Rialto is rated as "Average" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 1985 Reliant Rialto is Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment, responsible for 0.4% of failures. 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 range from £5–50. Tyres is the second most common issue at 0.4%. Steering follows at 0.2%.
Top failures specific to 1985 models only. The overall Rialto 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 | Lamps, Reflectors And Electrical Equipment | 0.4% | 4 |
| 2 | Tyres | 0.4% | 4 |
| 3 | Steering | 0.2% | 2 |
| 4 | Suspension | 0.2% | 2 |
| 5 | Brakes | 0.1% | 1 |
| 6 | Identification Of The Vehicle | 0.1% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 51,928 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lamps & Electrical | 0.08 | 0.4% | 4 |
| Tyres | 0.08 | 0.4% | 4 |
| Steering | 0.04 | 0.2% | 2 |
| Suspension | 0.04 | 0.2% | 2 |
| Brakes | 0.02 | 0.1% | 1 |
| Identification of the vehicle | 0.02 | 0.1% | 1 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 1985 Reliant Rialto has an MOT pass rate of 62.9% based on 964 tests — around the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 51,928 miles on the odometer. With a 37.1% failure rate, the 1985 Rialto is rated as "Average" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 1985 Reliant Rialto, budget for potential repairs before each MOT. Before your MOT, pay particular attention to lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment: 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. At 51,928 average miles, these vehicles are in the mid-range where component wear starts to become a factor.
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — 0.4% of failures
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment issues account for 0.4% of MOT failures on 1985 Reliant Rialto models. 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.
Tyres — 0.4% of failures
Tyres issues account for 0.4% of MOT failures on 1985 Reliant Rialto 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.
Steering — 0.2% of failures
Steering issues account for 0.2% of MOT failures on 1985 Reliant Rialto 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.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.