2010 Morgan Roadster — MOT failures & pass rate
254 MOT tests on the 2010 Morgan Roadster are in this dataset, and 92.5% of them passed. That is 17.0 percentage points better than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 24.5%. Failures cluster in brakes, visibility and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — brakes (3.1%) and visibility (3.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are service brake performance, washers and malfunction indicator lamp — service brake performance alone was recorded 9 times.
The trend is worsening — 5.8% of tests failed in 2021 against 11.3% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 3.1% | 8 |
| 2 | Visibility | 3.1% | 8 |
| 3 | Suspension | 2.0% | 5 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 1.6% | 4 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 1.2% | 3 |
| 6 | Other defects | 0.8% | 2 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Service brake performance | 9 |
| 2 | Washers | 4 |
| 3 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 4 |
| 4 | Registration plates | 3 |
| 5 | Wipers | 3 |
| 6 | Service brake imbalance | 3 |
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 | 7.5% | 19 |
| 2 | Brakes | 5.1% | 13 |
| 3 | Seat belts & restraints | 3.1% | 8 |
| 4 | Steering | 1.6% | 4 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 1.6% | 4 |
| 6 | Tyres | 1.2% | 3 |
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 | 219 | 8.2% |
| 30-60k | 35 | 2.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 52 | 5.8% |
| 2022 | 50 | 4.0% |
| 2023 | 47 | 6.4% |
| 2024 | 52 | 9.6% |
| 2025 | 53 | 11.3% |
What to check before buying a 2010 Roadster
On a 2010 Roadster, brakes is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 3.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Brakes (3.1% 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.
- Visibility (3.1% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
- Suspension (2.0% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
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 2010 Morgan Roadsters pass their MOT?
92.5% of the 254 2010 Morgan Roadster MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 7.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2010 Morgan Roadster?
Brakes, recorded in 3.1% of tests, followed by visibility (3.1%).
Does the 2010 Roadster get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.2% in the 0-30k band to 2.9% in the 30-60k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 254 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.