Austin Morris Princess Hls (1982)

427 real MOT outcomes analysed • 0.3% first-time pass rate

1982 Austin Morris Princess Hls

CarHunch analysed 427 real MOT records for the 1982 Austin Morris Princess Hls. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

Only 30% of these 1982 Princesses pass their MOT first time, well below the UK average of 80%, making this a notably unreliable prospect for any buyer. The dangerous defect rate sits at 20%, which is concerning—it means one in five vehicles inspected has had a serious safety issue.

The median mileage of 59,000 is remarkably low for a 42-year-old car, suggesting most survivors are garage-kept classics rather than daily drivers, yet they still fail MOTs at triple the national rate. Before committing to one, have a pre-purchase inspection by a specialist familiar with Leyland's hydragas suspension and electrical gremlins—the MOT data shows these cars demand serious expertise to keep roadworthy.

Below average reliability 79.7% below UK average
0.3%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
58,897
typical mileage
31,405–58,897 middle half
0.2%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
0.01
avg MOT failures per car
over 1 tests on record

What to check before buying a 1982 Austin Morris Princess Hls

Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.

  • 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
  • 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
  • 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
  • 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.

Before you buy a Austin Morris Princess Hls

MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.

Inspection ClickMechanic Have a qualified mechanic check this car before you commit to buying

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Mileage Distribution

Most 1982 Austin Morris Princess Hls vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

31,405
low mileage
58,897
typical
58,897
high mileage

Half of all 1982 Austin Morris Princess Hls vehicles fall between 31,405 and 58,897 miles.

MOT History Averages

1
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
0.01
Avg failures per vehicle
0
Avg advisories per vehicle

Found a specific Austin Morris Princess Hls?

Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.

UK

Other model years — Austin Morris Princess Hls:

1980 1981