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Ac Ace Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Ac Ace car check

Is the Ac Ace reliable? We analysed 1,233 real MOT tests across 144 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 1,233 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
87.8%
Typical Mileage
35,113mi
Annual Mileage
416mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
71yrs

The Ac Ace is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid, stop lamp not working and parking brake: efficiency below requirements. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Ac Ace.

Ac Ace Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Ac Ace. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Ac Ace MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Ac Ace to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

80.4%
2000
81%
1996
91.6%
1995
86.4%
1994
95.7%
1962
92.6%
1960
86%
1957
91.4%
1955

Ac Ace Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Ac Ace fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 20
Stop lamp not working 16
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 13
parking brake recording little or no effort 13
Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits 12
Headlamp aim too high 8
Brakes imbalanced across an axle 8
Direction indicator not working 7
position lamp(s) not working 7
brake application uneven 7

Ac Ace Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Ac Ace owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
135 mi/yr
Typical
416 mi/yr
Average
1,371 mi/yr
Heavy usage
1,090 mi/yr

Ac Ace MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Ac Ace year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2000 51 80.4% 12,552 18,254 24,789
1996 105 81.0% 36,568 46,350 50,463
1995 154 91.6% 22,731 29,758 50,909
1994 125 86.4% 15,662 48,185 54,328
1962 70 95.7% 11,508 48,023 68,947
1960 94 92.6% 25,426 70,210 77,276
1957 57 86.0% 8,546 68,079 70,848
1955 70 91.4% 25,969 52,476 86,915

How Long Does a Ac Ace Last?

Based on 144 Ac Ace vehicles on UK roads.

Average
40.6 years
Median
51.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
71 years

Ac Ace Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Ac Ace MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
35,113 mi
75th Percentile
54,041 mi
95th Percentile
86,352 mi
Max Recorded
143,239 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Ac Ace

Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.

Best year
1962

95.7% MOT pass rate from 70 tests

Year to avoid
2000

80.4% MOT pass rate from 51 tests

The best year to buy a used Ac Ace is 1962, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 95.7% across 70 tests. The 2000 model year has the lowest pass rate at 80.4% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Ac Ace Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Ac Ace THIS CAR 87.8% 1,233 35,113 mi 71 yrs
Ac Cobra 86.7% 9,973 9,121 mi 62 yrs
Land Rover R-rover Sport Dyn SE D MHEV A 92.3% 1,695 28,527 mi — yrs
Peugeot 3008 GT Line Bluehdi S/s 94.4% 965 58,152 mi — yrs
Jeep Patriot Sport+ Crd 69.7% 2,005 69,044 mi 16 yrs

Compared to the Ac Cobra (86.7% pass rate) and the Land Rover R-rover Sport Dyn SE D MHEV A (92.3% pass rate), the Ac Ace sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Ac Ace?

The Ac Ace has an overall MOT pass rate of 87.8% across 1,233 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.

The most common problems on the Ac Ace are windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (20 recorded failures), stop lamp not working (16), and parking brake: efficiency below requirements (13). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.

A typical Ac Ace owner drives around 416 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.

In terms of longevity, most Ac Ace models stay on UK roads for around 71 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.

Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.

Ac Ace — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Ac Ace reliable?
Based on 1,233 MOT tests, the Ac Ace has a 87.8% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Ac Ace?
The most common MOT failures are windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid, stop lamp not working, and parking brake: efficiency below requirements. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Ac Ace do per year?
The typical Ac Ace does around 416 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Ac Ace last?
Most Ac Ace models stay on UK roads for around 71 years based on our analysis of 144 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Ac Ace?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.
What is the best year to buy a Ac Ace?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Ac Ace is 1962 with a 95.7% pass rate across 70 tests.