Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1981 Datsun 160j Sss Mkiii?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 1981 Datsun 160j Sss Mkiii?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 1981 Datsun 160j Sss Mkiii?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 1981 Datsun 160j Sss Mkiii?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Datsun 160j Sss Mkiii (1981)

1,084 real MOT outcomes analysed

1981 Datsun 160j Sss Mkiii

CarHunch has 1,084 1981 Datsun 160j Sss Mkiii vehicles on record, but none have light-vehicle MOT history in our data source.

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No MOT data available for this vehicle type

The 1981 Datsun 160j Sss Mkiii doesn't appear in DVLA light-vehicle MOT records — it may be exempt, registered as a different vehicle class, or an import not subject to UK MOT testing. We don't have reliability stats for this specific model, but you can browse other Datsun vehicles below.

Browse all Datsun models →

No MOT data — worth knowing

Got a specific Datsun 160j Sss Mkiii you're checking out?

The real detail is in the individual vehicle report — MOT history, AI Hunches, mileage timeline, and defect patterns for that specific reg.

I cannot provide a reliability verdict based on MOT data for the 1981 Datsun 160J SSS MKIII, because this vehicle falls outside the DVLA light-vehicle MOT database covered here—it's either a heavy commercial vehicle or hasn't been recorded in sufficient numbers for statistical analysis. The "pass rates" and defect figures shown are placeholders and should be disregarded entirely.

What you should know is that the 160J SSS MKIII is a rare classic Japanese saloon from the early 1980s, and any surviving examples today are likely museum pieces or enthusiast restorations rather than regular road cars. If you're considering one, your safety and reliability assessment must rely on a specialist pre-purchase inspection, detailed service history, and the reputation of the specific seller—MOT statistics simply cannot help here. Check with a Datsun or classic Japanese car specialist before committing to a purchase.

MOT statistics not available

We have 1,084 1981 Datsun 160j Sss Mkiii vehicles on record, but none have light-vehicle MOT history in our data source.

There are a few reasons this can happen:

Heavy commercial vehicle — trucks, buses and coaches over 3.5 tonnes are tested under the DVSA annual HGV/PSV regime, which uses a separate database not included in our data source
Imported vehicles — vehicles registered abroad and recently brought to the UK may have no UK MOT history yet
MOT-exempt — vehicles manufactured before 1986 qualify under the 40-year rolling exemption; some specialist and agricultural vehicles are also exempt
Never used on public roads — some vehicles are registered but kept off-road and have never required an MOT

Check on the official DVSA service →

Before you buy a 1981 Datsun 160j Sss Mkiii

Based on MOT data from 1,084 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 0% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Colour Breakdown

Based on 7,932 Datsun 160j Sss Mkiii vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Blue 25.4%

2,014

Red 13.5%

1,074

Green 10.8%

858

Silver 9.7%

770

White 9.4%

748

Yellow 8%

635

Bronze 7.9%

626

Turquoise 6.1%

486

Black 2.5%

200

Maroon 2.4%

191

Gold 2.3%

184

Brown 1.8%

146

Other model years — Datsun 160j Sss Mkiii: All 160j Sss Mkiii years → Which year to buy? →

1980

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