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Morgan 4/4 (1983)

161 real MOT outcomes analysed • 55.6% first-time pass rate

1983 Morgan 4/4

CarHunch analysed 161 real MOT records for the 1983 Morgan 4/4. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

Below average reliability 24.4% below UK average
55.6%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
42,639
typical mileage
29,198–55,174 middle half
13.7%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
1.88
avg MOT failures per car
over 9.1 tests on record

What to check before buying a 1983 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%) 160 55.3% 1.89
Other (1%) 1 100% 0

Mileage Distribution

Most 1983 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.

29,198
low mileage
42,639
typical
55,174
high mileage

Half of all 1983 Morgan 4/4 vehicles fall between 29,198 and 55,174 miles.

1983 Morgan 4/4 — Still on the Road

Numbers are declining — 19 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (33% of peak).

58 19 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

9.1
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
1.88
Avg failures per vehicle
5.7
Avg advisories per vehicle

Most Common MOT Issues — 1983 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.

  • 27.8%
    Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel
  • 25.6%
    Oil leak, but not excessive
  • 25.6%
    Nearside Front Axle king pin has slight play in pin and/or bush
  • 21.5%
    Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive
  • 21.5%
    Offside Front Axle king pin has slight play in pin and/or bush
  • 18.5%
    Offside Rear fog lamp not working
  • 17.4%
    Brakes imbalanced across an axle
  • 15.9%
    Brake pedal anti-slip provision missing

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1983. 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 1981 1982 1984 1985 1987 1991 1992 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003