Reliant Scimitar (1980)
1980 Reliant Scimitar
CarHunch analysed 266 real MOT records for the 1980 Reliant Scimitar. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1980 Reliant Scimitar passes its MOT first time in just 72.6% of cases, meaningfully below the UK average of 80%, and nearly a quarter of these cars (22.6%) have recorded dangerous defects during testing—a significant safety concern for any potential buyer. These are genuinely old vehicles with modest mileage for their age (median 51,492 miles), yet they're averaging nearly 2.8 failures per test, suggesting age-related wear rather than high-mileage abuse. The high advisory count of 10.4 per vehicle indicates persistent minor issues cropping up repeatedly across the fleet. If you're considering one, factor in regular and potentially expensive maintenance to address those failures, and have a pre-purchase inspection focus on brakes, steering, and structural integrity given the dangerous-defect rate.
What to check before buying a 1980 Reliant Scimitar
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.
- ⚠️ 22.6% 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 Scimitar
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%) | 264 | 72.7% | 2.77 |
| LPG (1%) | 2 | 61.8% | 6 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1980 Reliant Scimitar 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 1980 Reliant Scimitar vehicles fall between 23,296 and 73,204 miles.
1980 Reliant Scimitar — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 17 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (15% 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 — 1980 Reliant Scimitar
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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69.9%
Oil leak
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36.9%
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements
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35.4%
Oil leak, but not excessive
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32.5%
Nearside Front wheel bearing has slight play
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30.8%
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive
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23.4%
Offside Front wheel bearing has slight play
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19.2%
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid
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16.6%
Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1980. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Reliant Scimitar?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.