Morgan 4/4 (1980)

112 real MOT outcomes analysed • 53.1% first-time pass rate

1980 Morgan 4/4

CarHunch analysed 112 real MOT records for the 1980 Morgan 4/4. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

Below average reliability 26.9% below UK average
53.1%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
46,542
typical mileage
27,596–66,103 middle half
4.5%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
1.29
avg MOT failures per car
over 6.9 tests on record

What to check before buying a 1980 Morgan 4/4

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 Morgan 4/4

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

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Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type Vehicles Pass rate Avg failures
Petrol (99%) 111 52.7% 1.31
Other (1%) 1 100% 0

Mileage Distribution

Most 1980 Morgan 4/4 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.

27,596
low mileage
46,542
typical
66,103
high mileage

Half of all 1980 Morgan 4/4 vehicles fall between 27,596 and 66,103 miles.

1980 Morgan 4/4 — Still on the Road

Numbers are declining — 14 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (37% of peak).

36 14 2014 2025

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.

MOT History Averages

6.9
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
1.29
Avg failures per vehicle
4
Avg advisories per vehicle

Most Common MOT Issues — 1980 Morgan 4/4

Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.

  • 29.3%
    Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel
  • 25.5%
    Oil leak
  • 24%
    Offside Front wheel bearing has slight play
  • 23.6%
    Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid
  • 23.1%
    Nearside Front wheel bearing has slight play
  • 20.2%
    Nearside Front Axle king pin has slight play in pin and/or bush
  • 18.8%
    Offside Front Axle king pin has slight play in pin and/or bush
  • 18.8%
    Parking brake: efficiency below requirements

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1980. Counts include advisories and failures.

Found a specific Morgan 4/4?

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

UK

Other model years — Morgan 4/4:

1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1987 1991 1992 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003