Morris Minor
From 1,157 MOT tests. Above average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are brakes imbalance across an axle such that the braking effort from any wheel is less than 70% of the maximum effort recorded from the other wheel on the same axle., the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired and significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake. The top issue, brakes imbalance across an axle such that the braking effort from any wheel is less than 70% of the maximum effort recorded from the other wheel on the same axle., caused 72 failures in 2024. If you need repairs before retesting, sites like BookMyGarage let you compare local prices.
| brakes imbalance across an axle such that the braking effort from any wheel is less than 70% of the maximum effort recorded from the other wheel on the same axle. | 72 |
| the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired | 68 |
| significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake | 34 |
| a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 32 |
| windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen | 28 |
| service brake efficiency below minimum requirement | 28 |
| the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 26 |
| a headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of led | 25 |
| parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement | 24 |
| steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 18 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 19.2% of Minor failures could actually strand you: fractured springs, engine faults, exhaust problems. Another 36.6% are safety issues where the car still drives but shouldn't, such as worn brakes, corroded brake pipes, and steering wear. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £132.
Morris Minor on UK roads
The fleet is shrinking: 52 scrapped or exported in the past year with only 9 newly registered, a net loss of 43. Now at 89.9% of its peak (25,652 in 1996 Q4).
Quarterly breakdown
| Quarter | On road | SORN | New | Gone | Net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Q3 | 14,589 | 8,469 | +0 | -0 | +15 |
| 2025 Q2 | 14,646 | 8,397 | +3 | -7 | -4 |
| 2025 Q1 | 14,739 | 8,308 | +2 | -0 | +131 |
| 2024 Q4 | 14,797 | 8,119 | +4 | -45 | -41 |
| 2024 Q3 | 15,015 | 7,942 | +0 | -25 | -25 |
| 2024 Q2 | 15,048 | 7,934 | +2 | -18 | -16 |
| 2024 Q1 | 14,998 | 8,000 | +4 | -0 | +228 |
| 2023 Q4 | 14,813 | 7,957 | +2 | -0 | +20 |
3 variants on the road
| Variant | Fuel | Licensed | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minor 1000 | Petrol | 8,495 | 58% |
| Minor | Petrol | 5,280 | 36% |
| Minor Traveller | Petrol | 814 | 6% |
Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics, 2025 Q3. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0.
Typical mileage
Half of all Minors tested had between 13,530 and 63,232 miles on the clock. Relatively low mileage overall. Many are still fairly young.
At 39,795 median miles, the Minor has 0.046 failures per 10,000 miles driven.
Other Morris models
| Morris Minor 1000 | 80.4% |
Common questions
What is the Morris Minor MOT pass rate?
The Morris Minor has a 81.8% MOT pass rate based on 1,157 real MOT tests. This is above the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a Morris Minor?
The most common MOT failure on the Morris Minor is brakes imbalance across an axle such that the braking effort from any wheel is less than 70% of the maximum effort recorded from the other wheel on the same axle., which caused 72 failures. Other common issues include the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired.
How many Morris Minors are on UK roads?
There are 14,589 Morris Minors currently licensed on UK roads, with 8,469 on SORN.
What is the typical mileage of a Morris Minor at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a Morris Minor is 39,795 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 13,530 and 63,232 miles.
Buying a used Minor?
Start with the free tools. Look up the specific vehicle's MOT history on GOV.UK The mileage at each test will show if it's been wound back, and the advisory history tells you what's wearing. Cross-reference that against the typical failures above to see if anything looks unusual for this model.
The free data won't tell you about outstanding finance, theft markers, or write-off history. For that, you need a vehicle history check This is especially important on a private sale where you have fewer legal protections.
With a 81.8% pass rate and an average repair bill of £132 when things go wrong, budget accordingly.
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MOT data from DVSA anonymised test results, 2024 test year. Fleet data from DfT vehicle licensing statistics. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0. MOT pass rates are statistical summaries of test outcomes, not assessments of individual vehicle safety or condition. Always inspect a vehicle and check its full MOT history before purchasing. See terms of use.