1985 Reliant Scimitar — MOT failures & pass rate
The 1985 Reliant Scimitar passed 82.8% of its 320 recorded MOT tests. All cars of a similar age fail 20.0% of the time, so this is 2.8pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 10.6% of tests against 6.6% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, service brake imbalance and non catalyst emissions — headlamp aim alone was recorded 14 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 1985 Scimitar fails 18.6% of the time in the 0-30k band and 18.9% at 90-120k, a spread of only 0.2 points.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 29.1% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 18.6% of tests failed in 2021 against 20.8% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 10.6% | 34 |
| 2 | Suspension | 6.6% | 21 |
| 3 | Brakes | 5.6% | 18 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.8% | 12 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.4% | 11 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 3.4% | 11 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 14 |
| 2 | Service brake imbalance | 11 |
| 3 | Non catalyst emissions | 10 |
| 4 | Service brake performance | 10 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 9 |
| 6 | Stop lamp | 9 |
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 | 29.1% | 93 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 18.4% | 59 |
| 3 | Brakes | 16.3% | 52 |
| 4 | Steering | 10.3% | 33 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.1% | 26 |
| 6 | Other defects | 6.9% | 22 |
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 | 59 | 18.6% |
| 30-60k | 56 | 14.3% |
| 60-90k | 123 | 17.9% |
| 90-120k | 53 | 18.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 70 | 18.6% |
| 2022 | 70 | 18.6% |
| 2023 | 71 | 16.9% |
| 2024 | 61 | 11.5% |
| 2025 | 48 | 20.8% |
What to check before buying a 1985 Scimitar
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 10.6% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (10.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (6.6% 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.
- Brakes (5.6% 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 1985 Reliant Scimitars pass their MOT?
82.8% of the 320 1985 Reliant Scimitar MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 17.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1985 Reliant Scimitar?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 10.6% of tests, followed by suspension (6.6%).
Does the 1985 Scimitar get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 18.6% in the 0-30k band to 18.9% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 320 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.