Austin A55 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Austin A55 car check
Is the Austin A55 reliable? We analysed 1,411 real MOT tests across 243 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Austin A55? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Austin A55 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid, brakes imbalanced across an axle and parking brake: efficiency below requirements. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Austin A55.
Austin A55 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Austin A55. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Austin A55 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Austin A55 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Austin A55 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Austin A55 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Austin A55 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Austin A55 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Austin A55 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Austin A55 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 | 429 | 80.4% | 16,770 | 33,435 | 67,906 |
| 1960 | 264 | 84.8% | 31,745 | 56,686 | 75,774 |
| 1959 | 127 | 85.8% | 36,121 | 54,628 | 72,393 |
| 1958 | 311 | 84.2% | 35,457 | 54,720 | 67,758 |
| 1957 | 127 | 83.5% | 31,450 | 60,050 | 71,327 |
How Long Does a Austin A55 Last?
Based on 243 Austin A55 vehicles on UK roads.
Austin A55 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Austin A55 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 Austin A55
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
85.8% MOT pass rate from 127 tests
80.4% MOT pass rate from 429 tests
The best year to buy a used Austin A55 is 1959, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 85.8% across 127 tests. The 1961 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 Austin A55 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austin A55 THIS CAR | 82.9% | 1,411 | 52,235 mi | 69 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 |
| Metrocab Metrocab | 67.6% | 2,068 | 311,398 mi | 26 yrs |
Compared to the Austin Mini Mayfair (64.7% pass rate) and the Austin Mini 1000 City E (64.5% pass rate), the Austin A55 outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Austin A55 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 Austin A55Should you buy a used Austin A55?
The Austin A55 has an overall MOT pass rate of 82.9% across 1,411 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 A55 are windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (52 recorded failures), brakes imbalanced across an axle (49), and parking brake: efficiency below requirements (42). 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 A55 owner drives around 340 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 A55 models stay on UK roads for around 69 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.