Reliant Scimitar
From 1,080 MOT tests. Above average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by registration year
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, a headlamp or light source missing and inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of led. The top issue, a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, caused 27 failures in 2024. If you need repairs before retesting, sites like BookMyGarage let you compare local prices.
| a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 27 |
| the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 22 |
| a headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of led | 20 |
| a direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 19 |
| emissions test unable to be completed | 18 |
| emissions levels exceed default limits | 15 |
| 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. | 14 |
| steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 12 |
| an obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or rear fog lamp inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 10 |
| windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen | 10 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. Only 8.4% of Scimitar failures are serious (safety or roadside), below the 44.4% average. When this car fails its MOT, it's more likely to be lights, wipers, or emissions than something dangerous. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £66.
Reliant Scimitar on UK roads
The fleet is shrinking: 13 scrapped or exported in the past year, a net loss of 13. Now at 78.1% of its peak (5,174 in 1994 Q4).
Quarterly breakdown
| Quarter | On road | SORN | New | Gone | Net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Q3 | 1,632 | 2,410 | +0 | -0 | +15 |
| 2025 Q2 | 1,641 | 2,386 | +0 | -0 | +1 |
| 2025 Q1 | 1,610 | 2,416 | +0 | -0 | +10 |
| 2024 Q4 | 1,654 | 2,362 | +0 | -13 | -13 |
| 2024 Q3 | 1,715 | 2,314 | +0 | -5 | -5 |
| 2024 Q2 | 1,709 | 2,325 | +0 | -0 | +22 |
| 2024 Q1 | 1,667 | 2,345 | +0 | -0 | +20 |
| 2023 Q4 | 1,602 | 2,390 | +0 | -0 | +6 |
7 variants on the road
| Variant | Fuel | Licensed | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scimitar Gte E Odve | Petrol | 439 | 28% |
| Scimitar Gte | Petrol | 396 | 25% |
| Scimitar Gte Auto | Petrol | 310 | 20% |
| Scimitar | Petrol | 148 | 9% |
| Scimitar Gtc | Petrol | 110 | 7% |
| Scimitar Gtc Auto | Petrol | 91 | 6% |
| Scimitar Ss1 | Petrol | 81 | 5% |
Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics, 2025 Q3. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1986 | 81.2% | emissions test unable to be completed, relative movement between steering wheel and column indicating looseness |
| 1985 | 84.9% | 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, the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements |
Typical mileage
Half of all Scimitars tested had between 25,742 and 77,282 miles on the clock.
At 61,659 median miles, the Scimitar has 0.031 failures per 10,000 miles driven.
Other Reliant models
Common questions
What is the Reliant Scimitar MOT pass rate?
The Reliant Scimitar has a 80.6% MOT pass rate based on 1,080 real MOT tests. This is above the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a Reliant Scimitar?
The most common MOT failure on the Reliant Scimitar is a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, which caused 27 failures. Other common issues include the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements.
How many Reliant Scimitars are on UK roads?
There are 1,632 Reliant Scimitars currently licensed on UK roads, with 2,410 on SORN.
What is the typical mileage of a Reliant Scimitar at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a Reliant Scimitar is 61,659 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 25,742 and 77,282 miles.
Buying a used Scimitar?
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 80.6% pass rate and an average repair bill of £66 when things go wrong, budget accordingly.
Some links are to services we may earn from. Disclosure.
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.