1971 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for Silver Shadow models manufactured in 1971, based on 1,272 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
This page shows all Silver Shadow cars tested in 1971. Want to see how cars built in 1971 hold up over time?
View 1971 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow vintage page → (84.4% current pass rate)1971 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow MOT Analysis
The 1971 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow has an MOT pass rate of 78.3% based on 1,272 tests — well above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 54,119 miles on the odometer. With a 21.7% failure rate, the 1971 Silver Shadow is rated as "Excellent" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 1971 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow is Brakes, responsible for 0.2% 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. Suspension is the second most common issue at 0.1%. Visibility follows at 0.1%.
Top failures specific to 1971 models only. The overall Silver 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 | Brakes | 0.2% | 2 |
| 2 | Suspension | 0.1% | 1 |
| 3 | Visibility | 0.1% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 54,119 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 | 0.03 | 0.2% | 2 |
| Suspension | 0.01 | 0.1% | 1 |
| Visibility | 0.01 | 0.1% | 1 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 1971 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow has an MOT pass rate of 78.3% based on 1,272 tests — well above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 54,119 miles on the odometer. With a 21.7% failure rate, the 1971 Silver Shadow is rated as "Excellent" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 1971 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow, 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). At 54,119 average miles, these vehicles are in the mid-range where component wear starts to become a factor.
Brakes — 0.2% of failures
Brakes issues account for 0.2% of MOT failures on 1971 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow 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).
Suspension — 0.1% of failures
Suspension issues account for 0.1% of MOT failures on 1971 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow 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.
Visibility — 0.1% of failures
Visibility issues account for 0.1% of MOT failures on 1971 Rolls-Royce Silver 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.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.