Ariel Arrow Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Ariel Arrow car check
Is the Ariel Arrow reliable? We analysed 1,653 real MOT tests across 319 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Ariel Arrow? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Ariel Arrow is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies, roller brake test the less effective brake control does not achieve an efficiency of 25%. and riders seat insecure. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Ariel Arrow.
Ariel Arrow Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Ariel Arrow. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Ariel Arrow MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Ariel Arrow to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Ariel Arrow Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Ariel Arrow fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Ariel Arrow Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Ariel Arrow owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Ariel Arrow MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Ariel Arrow year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1965 | 121 | 95.0% | 14,052 | 24,330 | 29,814 |
| 1964 | 88 | 92.0% | 3,260 | 13,806 | 22,838 |
| 1963 | 140 | 95.0% | 1,834 | 17,139 | 28,062 |
| 1962 | 177 | 94.4% | 10,042 | 19,582 | 34,709 |
| 1961 | 341 | 93.5% | 8,979 | 22,715 | 33,155 |
| 1960 | 265 | 90.9% | 9,002 | 22,517 | 31,486 |
How Long Does a Ariel Arrow Last?
Based on 319 Ariel Arrow vehicles on UK roads.
Ariel Arrow Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Ariel Arrow MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Ariel Arrow
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
95.0% MOT pass rate from 140 tests
90.9% MOT pass rate from 265 tests
The best year to buy a used Ariel Arrow is 1963, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 95.0% across 140 tests. The 1960 model year has the lowest pass rate at 90.9% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Ariel Arrow Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ariel Arrow THIS CAR | 94.2% | 1,653 | 19,651 mi | 66 yrs |
| Ariel Atom | 90.3% | 2,244 | 11,172 mi | 22 yrs |
| Ariel Red Hunter | 92.1% | 1,323 | 8,112 mi | 72 yrs |
| Ariel Leader | 93.2% | 1,148 | 15,411 mi | 67 yrs |
| Nissan Note Acenta Premium | 96% | 2,099 | 42,995 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Ariel Atom (90.3% pass rate) and the Ariel Red Hunter (92.1% pass rate), the Ariel Arrow outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Ariel Arrow you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Ariel ArrowShould you buy a used Ariel Arrow?
The Ariel Arrow has an overall MOT pass rate of 94.2% across 1,653 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 Ariel Arrow are stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (4 recorded failures), roller brake test the less effective brake control does not achieve an efficiency of 25%. (4), and riders seat insecure (3). 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 Ariel Arrow owner drives around 99 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 Ariel Arrow models stay on UK roads for around 66 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.