1981 Rolls-Royce Shadow MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for Shadow models manufactured in 1981, based on 69 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
1981 Rolls-Royce Shadow MOT Analysis
The 1981 Rolls-Royce Shadow has an MOT pass rate of 75.4% based on 69 tests — well above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 69,584 miles on the odometer. With a 24.6% failure rate, the 1981 Shadow is rated as "Excellent" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 1981 Rolls-Royce Shadow is Visibility, responsible for 1.4% of failures. Visibility failures relate to the windscreen, wipers, washers, mirrors, and view-obstructing damage. Cracks in the windscreen swept area, ineffective wipers, or empty washer bottles are common causes. Typical repair costs range from £10–300. Identification of the vehicle is the second most common issue at 1.4%. Noise, emissions and leaks follows at 1.4%.
Top failures specific to 1981 models only. The overall Shadow 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 | Visibility | 1.4% | 1 |
| 2 | Identification Of The Vehicle | 1.4% | 1 |
| 3 | Noise, Emissions And Leaks | 1.4% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 69,584 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visibility | 0.21 | 1.4% | 1 |
| Identification of the vehicle | 0.21 | 1.4% | 1 |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 0.21 | 1.4% | 1 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 1981 Rolls-Royce Shadow has an MOT pass rate of 75.4% based on 69 tests — well above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 69,584 miles on the odometer. With a 24.6% failure rate, the 1981 Shadow is rated as "Excellent" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 1981 Rolls-Royce Shadow, you can expect reliable MOT performance overall. Before your MOT, pay particular attention to visibility: Check the windscreen for chips and cracks — damage larger than 10mm in the driver's swept area or 40mm elsewhere will fail. Test washers and wipers. Ensure both door mirrors are intact and adjustable. At 69,584 average miles, these vehicles are in the mid-range where component wear starts to become a factor.
Visibility — 1.4% of failures
Visibility issues account for 1.4% of MOT failures on 1981 Rolls-Royce Shadow models. Visibility failures relate to the windscreen, wipers, washers, mirrors, and view-obstructing damage. Cracks in the windscreen swept area, ineffective wipers, or empty washer bottles are common causes. Typical repair costs: £10–300. Pre-MOT check: Check the windscreen for chips and cracks — damage larger than 10mm in the driver's swept area or 40mm elsewhere will fail. Test washers and wipers. Ensure both door mirrors are intact and adjustable.
Identification of the vehicle — 1.4% of failures
Identification of the vehicle issues account for 1.4% of MOT failures on 1981 Rolls-Royce Shadow 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.
Noise, emissions and leaks — 1.4% of failures
Noise, emissions and leaks issues account for 1.4% of MOT failures on 1981 Rolls-Royce Shadow 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.