Puch Unknown (1982)

2,567 real MOT outcomes analysed • 0.6% first-time pass rate

1982 Puch Unknown

CarHunch analysed 2,567 real MOT records for the 1982 Puch Unknown. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

The 1982 Puch has a first-time MOT pass rate of just 60%, well below the UK average of 80%, which suggests these vehicles face meaningful reliability hurdles. The good news is that dangerous defects are essentially absent at 0%, and there are no recorded failures or advisories on average—indicating that when these classics do fail, it's typically for minor, non-safety issues.

At a median mileage of just 4,533 miles, these are low-use classics rather than daily drivers, which explains why serious mechanical failures are rare but also makes it harder to predict real-world durability. If you're considering one, focus on finding a well-maintained example with documented service history, since the low mileage across the fleet suggests these are hobby vehicles where careful ownership makes all the difference.

Below average reliability 79.4% below UK average
0.6%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
4,533
typical mileage
327–6,230 middle half
0%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
0
avg MOT failures per car
over 1 tests on record

What to check before buying a 1982 Puch Unknown

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 Puch Unknown

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 (100%) 2,566 0.6% 0
Diesel (0%) 1 0% 0

Mileage Distribution

Most 1982 Puch Unknown 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.

327
low mileage
4,533
typical
6,230
high mileage

Half of all 1982 Puch Unknown vehicles fall between 327 and 6,230 miles.

MOT History Averages

1
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
0
Avg failures per vehicle
0
Avg advisories per vehicle

Most Common MOT Issues — 1982 Puch Unknown

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

  • 14.3%
    Steering headbearing has slight free play
  • 14.3%
    Rear Wheel has a slightly distorted bead rim
  • 11.4%
    Front Wheel bearing has slight play
  • 11.4%
    Exhaust noisy
  • 8.6%
    Chain guard missing ()
  • 8.6%
    Drive chain worn but not considered excessive
  • 8.6%
    Steering headbearing has excessive free play
  • 8.6%
    Exhaust noisy

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1982. Counts include advisories and failures.

Found a specific Puch Unknown?

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

UK

Other model years — Puch Unknown:

1980 1981 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988