Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1980 Reliant Scimitar?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 1980 Reliant Scimitar?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 1980 Reliant Scimitar?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

How many 1980 Reliant Scimitar vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

23% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 1980 Reliant Scimitar reliable?

Based on MOT data from 266 vehicles, the 1980 Reliant Scimitar has a first-time MOT pass rate of 72.6%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 1980 Reliant Scimitar?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 1980 Reliant Scimitar are: Oil leak (69.9% of vehicles), Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (36.9% of vehicles), Oil leak, but not excessive (35.4% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 1980 Reliant Scimitar?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Reliant Scimitar (1980)

266 real MOT outcomes analysed • 72.6% first-time pass rate

1980 Reliant Scimitar

CarHunch analysed 266 real MOT records for the 1980 Reliant Scimitar. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

We have limited data for the 1980 Reliant Scimitar — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

72.6%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

22.6%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

2.79

Over 10.1 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

51k

Middle half: 23k–73k

For context

These stats describe 266 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Buyer beware — pass it on

What tends to go wrong

Across 266 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Other issues 69.9%

Oil leak · Oil leak, but not excessive · Horn not working

Brake wear 36.9%

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements · Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded · Parking brake lever has no reserve travel · …

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Suspension & steering 32.5%

Nearside Front wheel bearing has slight play · Offside Front wheel bearing has slight play · Offside Front Front wheel bearing has slight play · …

Harder to spot without a ramp — this is a good reason to book a pre-purchase inspection.

Exhaust & emissions 30.8%

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive · Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases

Wipers & washers 19.2%

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid

Tyre wear 12.2%

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1980.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 266 Reliant Scimitar cars.

Before you buy a 1980 Reliant Scimitar

Based on MOT data from 266 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 22.6% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Petrol (99%)	264	72.7%	2.77

Colour Breakdown

Based on 4,083 Reliant Scimitar vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Red 24.8%

1,013

Blue 16.7%

680

White 14.9%

609

Green 11.5%

469

Yellow 8.5%

346

Beige 5.2%

213

Brown 4.4%

180

Black 4%

163

Silver 3.5%

144

Grey 2.5%

101

Gold 2%

Cream 2%

Mileage Distribution

Most 1980 Reliant Scimitar vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

51,492

typical

23,296

low mileage

73,204

high mileage

Half of all 1980 Reliant Scimitar vehicles fall between 23,296 and 73,204 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 23,296 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 23,296–73,204 miles — normal for age. This is where most 1980 Reliant Scimitars sit.

⚠ Over 98,825 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

1980 Reliant Scimitar — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 15% of 1980 Reliant Scimitars are still active.

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.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

10.1

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

2.79

Avg failures per vehicle

10.4

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Reliant Scimitar: All Scimitar years → Which year to buy? →

1981 1985 1986 1987

Or browse all models: Reliant →

Compare with another model

See how the 1980 Reliant Scimitar stacks up against a rival.

Buyer beware — pass it on