Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1981 Datsun Bluebird?

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 Bluebird?

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 Bluebird?

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.

What are common problems with the 1981 Datsun Bluebird?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 1981 Datsun Bluebird are: Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (35.7% of vehicles), Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (21.4% of vehicles), Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (21.4% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 1981 Datsun Bluebird?

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.

CarHunch

Get Started

Datsun Bluebird (1981)

426 real MOT outcomes analysed

1981 Datsun Bluebird

CarHunch has 426 1981 Datsun Bluebird vehicles on record, but none have light-vehicle MOT history in our data source.

On this page

Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Colour Breakdown Compare Models

Moderate sample. 426 vehicles on record. Figures are indicative — the specific vehicle's history matters more than these averages.

No MOT data available for this vehicle type

The 1981 Datsun Bluebird 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 Bluebird 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.

MOT statistics not available

We have 426 1981 Datsun Bluebird 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 →

What tends to go wrong

Across 426 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Suspension & steering 35.7%

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded · Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive · Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive · …

Harder to spot without a ramp — this is a good reason to book a pre-purchase inspection.

Tyre wear 21.4%

Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · front tyres cracking

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Brake wear 14.3%

Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded · Front Brake pipe slightly corroded · Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Corrosion / rust 14.3%

under body corrosion

Inspect sills, subframes and brake pipes in person — photos rarely show structural rust.

Lighting 14.3%

Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated · Centre Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated

Usually cheap to fix. Worth confirming all lights work before collecting.

Exhaust & emissions 14.3%

Rear Exhaust mounting missing

Other issues 14.3%

offside front wing corroded

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1981.

Before you buy a 1981 Datsun Bluebird

Based on MOT data from 426 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 1,200 Datsun Bluebird vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Blue 25.8%

309

Silver 16.8%

202

Red 16.7%

200

Brown 12.6%

151

Grey 10.3%

124

White 7.5%

Maroon 3.1%

Bronze 2.2%

Black 1.8%

Gold 1.5%

Green 1.2%

Yellow 0.6%

Other model years — Datsun Bluebird: All Bluebird years → Which year to buy? →

1980 1982 1983

Or browse all models: Datsun →

Compare with another model

See how the 1981 Datsun Bluebird stacks up against a rival.