MOT failure rate and common problems for the Austin Healey 100/4, and how to check your own car by registration.

Updated 05 September 2026.

13.9%fail rate

Austin Healey 100/4 MOT failure rate

What a Austin Healey 100/4 fails its MOT on, and the part that fixes each.

What it fails on, and why

Brakes52.8% of failures

Brake failures cover worn pads and discs, an imbalance between wheels, corroded or scored discs, or a binding caliper. Braking efficiency is measured on a rolling road, so a spongy or pulling brake shows up as a low reading.

Lamps & electrical35.8% of failures

Lighting is the single most common MOT failure and the cheapest to put right. A blown headlight, brake-light or number-plate bulb, a cracked lens, or a headlamp beam that points too high or low will all fail. Most are a two-minute bulb swap.

Other20.8% of failures

This covers a range of smaller items, from a non-working horn to a warning light left on.

Visibility/wipers15.1% of failures

Visibility failures include torn or smearing wiper blades, a washer jet that does not reach the screen, and chips or cracks in the driver's swept area. Blades and washer fluid are quick, cheap fixes.

Steering13.2% of failures

Steering faults are typically worn track-rod ends or ball joints, play in the rack, or a split gaiter letting grease out and dirt in. Excessive free play at the wheel fails.

Suspension9.4% of failures

Suspension failures usually mean a worn or snapped coil spring, a leaking shock absorber, or play in a lower arm ball joint or bush. The tester checks for corrosion, fractures and excessive movement. A broken front spring is one of the most common failures on higher-mileage cars and is a straightforward replacement.

The parts that fix each

If your car has just failed, you have 10 working days to fix the items and get a free partial retest. Confirm the exact fitment against your registration or VIN before buying.

For the brakes failure: Austin Healey 100/4 brake pads and discsShop Austin Healey 100/4 brake pads and discs on Amazonaffiliate Find Austin Healey 100/4 brake pads and discs on eBayaffiliate

For the lamps & electrical failure: Austin Healey 100/4 headlight and indicator bulbsShop Austin Healey 100/4 headlight and indicator bulbs on Amazonaffiliate Find Austin Healey 100/4 headlight and indicator bulbs on eBayaffiliate

For the visibility/wipers failure: Austin Healey 100/4 wiper bladesShop Austin Healey 100/4 wiper blades on Amazonaffiliate Find Austin Healey 100/4 wiper blades on eBayaffiliate

For the steering failure: Austin Healey 100/4 steering track rod endsShop Austin Healey 100/4 steering track rod ends on Amazonaffiliate Find Austin Healey 100/4 steering track rod ends on eBayaffiliate

For the suspension failure: Austin Healey 100/4 suspension springs and shock absorbersShop Austin Healey 100/4 suspension springs and shock absorbers on Amazonaffiliate Find Austin Healey 100/4 suspension springs and shock absorbers on eBayaffiliate

Other models

Austin Healey 3000 MOT failures14.3% failure rate Austin Healey Sprite MOT failures19.8% failure rate Austin Healey Healey MOT failures14.3% failure rate Ford Fiesta MOT failures27.1% failure rate

Questions and answers

What is the MOT failure rate of the Austin Healey 100/4?

It fails 13.9% of its MOT tests across the DVSA record, from 382 tests.

What do these cars fail their MOT on most?

The most common failure area is brakes, at 52.8% of this model's failures.