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1966 Volvo 131 MOT Pass Rate

Pass rate for 131 models manufactured in 1966, based on 138 real MOT test results.

73.2%
Pass Rate
26.8%
Fail Rate
138
Total Tests
60,608
Avg Mileage

Data from official DVSA MOT testing records

1966 Volvo 131 MOT Analysis

The 1966 Volvo 131 has an MOT pass rate of 73.2% based on 138 tests — above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 60,608 miles on the odometer. With a 26.8% failure rate, the 1966 131 is rated as "Very Good" for MOT reliability.

The leading cause of MOT failure for the 1966 Volvo 131 is Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment, responsible for 2.9% 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. Body, chassis, structure is the second most common issue at 2.2%. Suspension follows at 0.7%.

Top failures specific to 1966 models only. The overall 131 page may show different rankings.

What Fails Most

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
1Lamps, Reflectors And Electrical Equipment2.9%4
2Body, Chassis, Structure2.2%3
3Suspension0.7%1
4Visibility0.7%1

Failures per 10,000 Miles

avg. 60,608 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.

Lamps & Electrical0.48% per 10K miBody & Structure0.36% per 10K miSuspension0.12% per 10K miVisibility0.12% per 10K mi
View as table
Mileage-normalised failure rates by category
CategoryRate / 10K miRaw %Count
Lamps & Electrical0.482.9%4
Body & Structure0.362.2%3
Suspension0.120.7%1
Visibility0.120.7%1

Mileage Statistics

60,608
Mean
74,494
Median
30,951
25th Percentile
78,959
75th Percentile
4.42% failures per 10K miles

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

About This Data

The 1966 Volvo 131 has an MOT pass rate of 73.2% based on 138 tests — above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 60,608 miles on the odometer. With a 26.8% failure rate, the 1966 131 is rated as "Very Good" for MOT reliability.

If you own or are considering buying a 1966 Volvo 131, you can expect reliable MOT performance overall. 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 60,608 average miles, these vehicles are in the mid-range where component wear starts to become a factor.

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — 2.9% of failures

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment issues account for 2.9% of MOT failures on 1966 Volvo 131 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.

Body, chassis, structure — 2.2% of failures

Body, chassis, structure issues account for 2.2% of MOT failures on 1966 Volvo 131 models. Body and structure failures include excessive corrosion, sharp edges, loose panels, and damage to the vehicle frame. Rust is the primary concern, especially on older vehicles or those exposed to road salt. Typical repair costs: £100–500+. Pre-MOT check: Inspect sills, wheel arches, door bottoms, and the chassis for rust. Surface rust is acceptable but structural corrosion or holes will fail. Check that all doors, bonnet, and boot close securely.

Suspension — 0.7% of failures

Suspension issues account for 0.7% of MOT failures on 1966 Volvo 131 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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