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Chesil Speedster Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Chesil Speedster car check

Is the Chesil Speedster reliable? We analysed 1,497 real MOT tests across 113 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 1,497 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
79.8%
Typical Mileage
10,146mi
Annual Mileage
345mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
57yrs

The Chesil Speedster is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid, stop lamp not working and horn not working. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Chesil Speedster.

Chesil Speedster Number Plates

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

Chesil Speedster MOT Pass Rate by Year

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

74%
2010
78.7%
1973
78.2%
1972
79.3%
1971
81%
1970
73.3%
1969

Chesil Speedster Problems — What Goes Wrong?

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 29
Stop lamp not working 23
Horn not working 21
Headlamp aim too high 19
position lamp(s) not working 16
wheel bearing has excessive play 16
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 14
Direction indicator not working 12
brake application uneven 11
wheel bearing has excessive play 11

Chesil Speedster Mileage — What's Normal?

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

Low usage
126 mi/yr
Typical
345 mi/yr
Average
830 mi/yr
Heavy usage
928 mi/yr

Chesil Speedster MOT Data by Registration Year

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

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2010 73 74.0% 3,338 4,357 9,939
1973 75 78.7% 7,058 12,237 22,650
1972 362 78.2% 6,306 13,862 24,196
1971 237 79.3% 3,976 8,707 18,067
1970 295 81.0% 7,590 11,094 15,894
1969 105 73.3% 3,963 7,886 24,420

How Long Does a Chesil Speedster Last?

Based on 113 Chesil Speedster vehicles on UK roads.

Average
41.4 years
Median
47.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
57 years

Chesil Speedster Mileage Distribution

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

Median
10,146 mi
75th Percentile
19,503 mi
95th Percentile
43,837 mi
Max Recorded
91,621 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Chesil Speedster

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

Best year
1970

81.0% MOT pass rate from 295 tests

Year to avoid
1969

73.3% MOT pass rate from 105 tests

The best year to buy a used Chesil Speedster is 1970, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 81.0% across 295 tests. The 1969 model year has the lowest pass rate at 73.3% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Chesil Speedster Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Chesil Speedster THIS CAR 79.8% 1,497 10,146 mi 57 yrs
Reliant Robin Super 75% 753 27,860 mi 49 yrs
Alexander Dennis Unknown 87.7% 1,796 144,160 mi 21 yrs
Yamaha Yfm 350 R (quad Bike) 81.7% 971 4,054 mi 21 yrs
Motor Hispania Furia 50 61.7% 705 9,931 mi 25 yrs

Compared to the Reliant Robin Super (75.0% pass rate) and the Alexander Dennis Unknown (87.7% pass rate), the Chesil Speedster sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Chesil Speedster?

The Chesil Speedster has an overall MOT pass rate of 79.8% across 1,497 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 Chesil Speedster are windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (29 recorded failures), stop lamp not working (23), and horn not working (21). 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 Chesil Speedster owner drives around 345 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 Chesil Speedster models stay on UK roads for around 57 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.

Chesil Speedster — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Chesil Speedster reliable?
Based on 1,497 MOT tests, the Chesil Speedster has a 79.8% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Chesil Speedster?
The most common MOT failures are windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid, stop lamp not working, and horn not working. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Chesil Speedster do per year?
The typical Chesil Speedster does around 345 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Chesil Speedster last?
Most Chesil Speedster models stay on UK roads for around 57 years based on our analysis of 113 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Chesil Speedster?
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 Chesil Speedster?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Chesil Speedster is 1970 with a 81.0% pass rate across 295 tests.