Reliant Robin (1999)
1999 Reliant Robin
CarHunch analysed 360 real MOT records for the 1999 Reliant Robin. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1999 Reliant Robin passes its MOT first time just 73.5% of the time, well below the UK average of 80%, and a concerning 37.2% of these cars have recorded dangerous defects at some point—a serious red flag for safety-conscious buyers. With an average of 4.74 failures per test and 11.7 advisories, these vehicles are significantly more troublesome than the typical car of this age.
The median mileage of 40,001 is actually quite low for a 25-year-old car, suggesting many survivors are garage-kept or lightly used—yet even at modest miles, they're still racking up defects. Before buying, get a full pre-purchase inspection focusing on structural integrity, braking, and suspension, as the failure patterns suggest these older Robins struggle with fundamental safety systems rather than minor wear items.
What to check before buying a 1999 Reliant Robin
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.
- ⚠️ 37.2% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
- 📄 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 Robin
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Mileage Distribution
Most 1999 Reliant Robin 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 1999 Reliant Robin vehicles fall between 27,258 and 52,965 miles.
1999 Reliant Robin — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 93 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (39% of peak).
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
Most Common MOT Issues — 1999 Reliant Robin
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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74.1%
Offside Rear fog lamp not working
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51.4%
Front Axle king pin has slight play in pin and/or bush
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35.4%
Offside Stop lamp not working
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32.7%
Nearside Stop lamp not working
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29.6%
Oil leak
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26.6%
Brake pipe slightly corroded
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23.5%
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements
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23.2%
Front Brake pipe slightly corroded
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1999. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Reliant Robin?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.