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Morgan 4/4 (1981)

132 real MOT outcomes analysed • 53.3% first-time pass rate

1981 Morgan 4/4

CarHunch analysed 132 real MOT records for the 1981 Morgan 4/4. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

Below average reliability 26.7% below UK average
53.3%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
47,726
typical mileage
33,784–64,186 middle half
11.4%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
1.23
avg MOT failures per car
over 6.8 tests on record

What to check before buying a 1981 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.

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

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Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type Vehicles Pass rate Avg failures
Petrol (99%) 131 53% 1.24
Other (1%) 1 100% 0

Mileage Distribution

Most 1981 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.

33,784
low mileage
47,726
typical
64,186
high mileage

Half of all 1981 Morgan 4/4 vehicles fall between 33,784 and 64,186 miles.

1981 Morgan 4/4 — Still on the Road

Numbers are declining — 15 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2022 (38% of peak).

40 15 2014 2022

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2022.

MOT History Averages

6.8
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
1.23
Avg failures per vehicle
4
Avg advisories per vehicle

Most Common MOT Issues — 1981 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 1981. 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:

1980 1982 1983 1984 1985 1987 1991 1992 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003