Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1981 Ford Granada?

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 Ford Granada?

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 Ford Granada?

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.

Is the 1981 Ford Granada reliable?

Based on MOT data from 510 vehicles, the 1981 Ford Granada has a first-time MOT pass rate of 73.1%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 1981 Ford Granada?

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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Ford Granada (1981)

Q: What are common problems with the 1981 Ford Granada?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 1981 Ford Granada are: Oil leak (26.6% of vehicles), Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (15.7% of vehicles), Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (15% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

510 real MOT outcomes analysed • 73.1% first-time pass rate

1981 Ford Granada

CarHunch analysed 510 real MOT records for the 1981 Ford Granada. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 1981 Ford Granada has a below-average first-time pass rate (73.1% vs ~80% UK average) — check the specific vehicle's full MOT history carefully before buying.

First-time pass

73.1%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

2.6%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

0.37

Over 2.3 tests on record

Low

Typical mileage

55k

Middle half: 28k–75k

For context

⚠️ Below average. More vehicles in this cohort fail their first MOT than typical. Scrutinise this vehicle's history — look for recurring issues, not just the latest result.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 1.5 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

These stats describe 510 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Buyer beware — pass it on

What tends to go wrong

Across 510 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Other issues 26.6%

Oil leak · Oil leak, but not excessive

Exhaust & emissions 15.7%

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive

Suspension & steering 15%

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded · Offside Front wheel bearing has slight play · Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded · …

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

Wipers & washers 10.9%

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid

Brake wear 10.4%

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements · Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded

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

Tyre wear 9.5%

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit

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

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1981.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 510 Ford Granada cars.

Before you buy a 1981 Ford Granada

Based on MOT data from 510 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 2.6% 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

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Petrol (93%)	474	73.6%	0.37

Colour Breakdown

Based on 36,628 Ford Granada vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Blue 23.6%

8,655

Red 12.7%

4,640

Grey 11.9%

4,343

White 11.7%

4,285

Green 10.3%

3,784

Silver 10.2%

3,741

Black 8.4%

3,079

Gold 6.1%

2,227

Beige 1.6%

593

Brown 1.6%

584

Bronze 1.5%

532

Yellow 0.5%

165

Mileage Distribution

Most 1981 Ford Granada vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

54,953

typical

28,345

low mileage

74,976

high mileage

Half of all 1981 Ford Granada vehicles fall between 28,345 and 74,976 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 28,345 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 28,345–74,976 miles — normal for age. This is where most 1981 Ford Granadas sit.

⚠ Over 101,217 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

1981 Ford Granada — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 39% of 1981 Ford Granadas are still active.

Numbers are declining — 12 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2024 (39% of peak).

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2024.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

2.3

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.37

Avg failures per vehicle

1.5

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Ford Granada: All Granada years → Which year to buy? →

1980 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995

Or browse all models: Ford →

Compare with another model

See how the 1981 Ford Granada stacks up against a rival.

Buyer beware — pass it on