2019 Morgan /4 — MOT failures & pass rate
428 MOT tests on the 2019 Morgan /4 are in this dataset, and 92.5% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail 10.1% of the time, so this is 2.7pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in steering, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — steering (4.4%) and lighting & signalling (3.5%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are steering rack, headlamp aim and service brake performance — steering rack alone was recorded 21 times.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 11.0% in 2022 to 6.1% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Steering | 4.4% | 19 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 3.5% | 15 |
| 3 | Brakes | 1.9% | 8 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.2% | 5 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 1.2% | 5 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.5% | 2 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Steering rack | 21 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 9 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 7 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 6 |
| 5 | Service brake imbalance | 5 |
| 6 | Washers | 5 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 2.3% | 10 |
| 2 | Steering | 1.4% | 6 |
| 3 | Brakes | 1.4% | 6 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 1.2% | 5 |
| 5 | Visibility | 0.9% | 4 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.9% | 4 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 418 | 7.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 109 | 11.0% |
| 2023 | 106 | 6.6% |
| 2024 | 94 | 6.4% |
| 2025 | 114 | 6.1% |
What to check before buying a 2019 /4
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: steering accounted for 4.4% of tests. Start there.
- Steering (4.4% of tests): Play, leaks or worn track rod ends — affects handling and is a safety item. Typical repair: £150–£500.
- Lighting & signalling (3.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (1.9% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2019 Morgan /4s pass their MOT?
92.5% of the 428 2019 Morgan /4 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 7.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2019 Morgan /4?
Steering, recorded in 4.4% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (3.5%).
Methodology & source. Based on 428 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.