Austin Saloon Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Austin Saloon car check
Is the Austin Saloon reliable? We analysed 454 real MOT tests across 101 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Austin Saloon? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Austin Saloon is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include stop lamp not working, parking brake: efficiency below requirements and brake recording little or no effort. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Austin Saloon.
Austin Saloon Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Austin Saloon. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Austin Saloon MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Austin Saloon to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Austin Saloon Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Austin Saloon fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Austin Saloon Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Austin Saloon owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Austin Saloon MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Austin Saloon year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1936 | 51 | 84.3% | 16,524 | 48,456 | 83,815 |
| 1933 | 72 | 94.4% | 2,506 | 7,238 | 27,737 |
How Long Does a Austin Saloon Last?
Based on 101 Austin Saloon vehicles on UK roads.
Austin Saloon Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Austin Saloon 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 Saloon
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
94.4% MOT pass rate from 72 tests
84.3% MOT pass rate from 51 tests
The best year to buy a used Austin Saloon is 1933, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 94.4% across 72 tests. The 1936 model year has the lowest pass rate at 84.3% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Austin Saloon Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austin Saloon THIS CAR | 89.0% | 454 | 21,040 mi | 93 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 |
| Mercedes-benz Vito 114 Bluetec | 84.8% | 427 | 99,520 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 Saloon outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Austin Saloon 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 SaloonShould you buy a used Austin Saloon?
The Austin Saloon has an overall MOT pass rate of 89.0% across 454 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 Saloon are stop lamp not working (8 recorded failures), parking brake: efficiency below requirements (8), and brake recording little or no effort (6). 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 Saloon owner drives around 193 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 Saloon models stay on UK roads for around 93 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.