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Austin 1100 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Austin 1100 car check

Is the Austin 1100 reliable? We analysed 2,867 real MOT tests across 415 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 2,867 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
75.6%
Typical Mileage
46,549mi
Annual Mileage
324mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
62yrs

The Austin 1100 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded, parking brake: efficiency below requirements and suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Austin 1100.

Austin 1100 Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Austin 1100. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Austin 1100 MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Austin 1100 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

87.8%
1973
73.2%
1972
74.6%
1971
75.3%
1970
73.2%
1969
74.7%
1968
71.1%
1967
76.5%
1966
78.4%
1965
76.5%
1964

Austin 1100 Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Austin 1100 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded 246
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 119
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded 114
brake binding 93
brake recording little or no effort 88
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 78
Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded 64
Service brake: efficiency below requirements 60
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 51
Horn not working 49

Austin 1100 Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Austin 1100 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
89 mi/yr
Typical
324 mi/yr
Average
987 mi/yr
Heavy usage
866 mi/yr

Austin 1100 MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Austin 1100 year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
1973 123 87.8% 37,658 59,655 72,876
1972 519 73.2% 31,339 48,770 64,046
1971 291 74.6% 27,394 44,001 61,339
1970 388 75.3% 33,732 45,350 63,046
1969 157 73.2% 24,266 34,083 57,790
1968 285 74.7% 41,935 52,799 61,556
1967 235 71.1% 21,150 39,127 57,978
1966 226 76.5% 38,693 53,722 60,488
1965 273 78.4% 26,814 45,168 65,910
1964 272 76.5% 37,910 50,159 68,192

How Long Does a Austin 1100 Last?

Based on 415 Austin 1100 vehicles on UK roads.

Average
45.5 years
Median
46.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
62 years

Austin 1100 Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Austin 1100 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
46,549 mi
75th Percentile
63,323 mi
95th Percentile
86,585 mi
Max Recorded
803,315 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Austin 1100

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

Best year
1973

87.8% MOT pass rate from 123 tests

Year to avoid
1967

71.1% MOT pass rate from 235 tests

The best year to buy a used Austin 1100 is 1973, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 87.8% across 123 tests. The 1967 model year has the lowest pass rate at 71.1% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Austin 1100 Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Austin 1100 THIS CAR 75.6% 2,867 46,549 mi 62 yrs
Austin Mini Mayfair 64.7% 51,788 54,118 mi 44 yrs
Austin Mini 1000 City E 64.5% 44,703 54,880 mi 44 yrs
Austin Mini 75.1% 18,242 47,796 mi 66 yrs
Can-am Spyder 91.9% 5,220 9,281 mi 18 yrs

Compared to the Austin Mini Mayfair (64.7% pass rate) and the Austin Mini 1000 City E (64.5% pass rate), the Austin 1100 outperforms both on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Austin 1100?

The Austin 1100 has an overall MOT pass rate of 75.6% across 2,867 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 Austin 1100 are subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (246 recorded failures), parking brake: efficiency below requirements (119), and suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (114). 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 Austin 1100 owner drives around 324 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 Austin 1100 models stay on UK roads for around 62 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.

Austin 1100 — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Austin 1100 reliable?
Based on 2,867 MOT tests, the Austin 1100 has a 75.6% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Austin 1100?
The most common MOT failures are subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded, parking brake: efficiency below requirements, and suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Austin 1100 do per year?
The typical Austin 1100 does around 324 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Austin 1100 last?
Most Austin 1100 models stay on UK roads for around 62 years based on our analysis of 415 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Austin 1100?
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 Austin 1100?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Austin 1100 is 1973 with a 87.8% pass rate across 123 tests.