Austin Healey Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Austin Healey car check
Is the Austin Healey reliable? We analysed 11,605 real MOT tests across 1,365 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Austin Healey? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Austin Healey is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid, brake binding and stop lamp not working. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Austin Healey.
Austin Healey Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Austin Healey. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Austin Healey MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Austin Healey to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Austin Healey Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Austin Healey fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Austin Healey Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Austin Healey owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Austin Healey MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Austin Healey year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 51 | 90.2% | 11,616 | 32,101 | 66,962 |
| 2005 | 57 | 80.7% | 8,608 | 9,479 | 86,283 |
| 2004 | 84 | 96.4% | 2,977 | 37,848 | 55,773 |
| 2003 | 74 | 90.5% | 1,956 | 6,939 | 18,244 |
| 2002 | 107 | 84.1% | 2,162 | 8,615 | 14,898 |
| 2001 | 79 | 86.1% | 8,116 | 27,454 | 71,002 |
| 2000 | 148 | 85.1% | 6,296 | 11,529 | 33,372 |
| 1999 | 92 | 87.0% | 3,036 | 10,442 | 28,116 |
| 1998 | 166 | 82.5% | 6,961 | 18,317 | 51,243 |
| 1997 | 128 | 83.6% | 10,361 | 42,559 | 70,008 |
| 1996 | 84 | 82.1% | 4,918 | 7,486 | 25,715 |
| 1995 | 114 | 82.5% | 9,416 | 12,654 | 18,999 |
| 1994 | 200 | 90.0% | 12,558 | 24,332 | 44,099 |
| 1993 | 114 | 88.6% | 4,377 | 24,291 | 57,688 |
| 1992 | 188 | 83.0% | 6,182 | 28,441 | 66,635 |
| 1991 | 298 | 82.6% | 7,717 | 17,114 | 31,164 |
| 1990 | 447 | 83.7% | 13,760 | 27,526 | 69,872 |
| 1989 | 321 | 81.6% | 13,030 | 27,492 | 54,192 |
| 1988 | 180 | 88.3% | 19,191 | 53,395 | 88,386 |
| 1987 | 130 | 89.2% | 9,224 | 14,747 | 37,775 |
How Long Does a Austin Healey Last?
Based on 1,365 Austin Healey vehicles on UK roads.
Austin Healey Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Austin Healey 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 Healey
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
96.4% MOT pass rate from 84 tests
74.4% MOT pass rate from 90 tests
The best year to buy a used Austin Healey is 2004, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 96.4% across 84 tests. The 1969 model year has the lowest pass rate at 74.4% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Austin Healey Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austin Healey THIS CAR | 84.6% | 11,605 | 27,399 mi | 73 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 |
| Vauxhall Crossland X Sri Nav | 87.3% | 4,528 | 39,041 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Austin Mini Mayfair (64.7% pass rate) and the Austin Mini 1000 City E (64.5% pass rate), the Austin Healey outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Austin Healey 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 HealeyShould you buy a used Austin Healey?
The Austin Healey has an overall MOT pass rate of 84.6% across 11,605 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 Healey are windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (196 recorded failures), brake binding (162), and stop lamp not working (159). 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 Healey owner drives around 346 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 Healey models stay on UK roads for around 73 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.