Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1987 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 1987 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 1987 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 1987 Reliant Scimitar vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

22% 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 1987 Reliant Scimitar reliable?

Based on MOT data from 119 vehicles, the 1987 Reliant Scimitar has a first-time MOT pass rate of 74.6%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 1987 Reliant Scimitar?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 1987 Reliant Scimitar are: Oil leak (36.8% of vehicles), Nearside Front wheel bearing has slight play (26.9% of vehicles), Oil leak, but not excessive (25.4% 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 1987 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 (1987)

119 real MOT outcomes analysed • 74.6% first-time pass rate

1987 Reliant Scimitar

CarHunch analysed 119 real MOT records for the 1987 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 Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Compare Models

We have limited data for the 1987 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

74.6%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

21.9%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

2.82

Over 10.7 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

74k

Middle half: 54k–96k

For context

These stats describe 119 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 119 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Other issues 36.8%

Oil leak · Oil leak, but not excessive

Suspension & steering 26.9%

Nearside Front wheel bearing has slight play · Offside Front wheel bearing has slight play · Nearside 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 24.9%

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive

Brake wear 23.7%

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements · Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded · Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded

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

Lighting 16.2%

Nearside Headlamp aim too low · Nearside Headlamp aim too high · Offside Rear fog lamp not working · …

Usually cheap to fix. Worth confirming all lights work before collecting.

Wipers & washers 14.1%

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid

Tyre wear 12%

Offside 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 1987.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 119 Reliant Scimitar cars.

Before you buy a 1987 Reliant Scimitar

Based on MOT data from 119 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 21.9% 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

Mileage Distribution

Most 1987 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.

74,392

typical

53,878

low mileage

95,627

high mileage

Half of all 1987 Reliant Scimitar vehicles fall between 53,878 and 95,627 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 53,878 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.

✓ 53,878–95,627 miles — normal for age. This is where most 1987 Reliant Scimitars sit.

⚠ Over 129,096 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

1987 Reliant Scimitar — Still on the Road

Most 1987 Reliant Scimitars are still being driven.

35 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 76% of the peak remain.

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

10.7

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

2.82

Avg failures per vehicle

11.5

Avg advisories per vehicle

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

1980 1981 1985 1986

Or browse all models: Reliant →

Compare with another model

See how the 1987 Reliant Scimitar stacks up against a rival.

Buyer beware — pass it on