Reliant Rialto (1982)
1982 Reliant Rialto
CarHunch analysed 263 real MOT records for the 1982 Reliant Rialto. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
What to check before buying a 1982 Reliant Rialto
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 Reliant Rialto
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%) | 262 | 76.6% | 1.54 |
| Diesel (0%) | 1 | 100% | 0 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1982 Reliant Rialto 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.
Half of all 1982 Reliant Rialto vehicles fall between 34,623 and 73,241 miles.
1982 Reliant Rialto — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 19 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2022 (32% of peak).
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
Most Common MOT Issues — 1982 Reliant Rialto
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
-
18.5%
Front Axle king pin has slight play in pin and/or bush
-
17.3%
Oil leak
-
14.8%
Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel
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14.8%
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements
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13.3%
Offside Rear fog lamp not working
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11.8%
Brake pipe slightly corroded
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8.9%
Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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8.5%
Rear fog lamp tell tale not working
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1982. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Reliant Rialto?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.