Hillman Imp Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Hillman Imp car check
Is the Hillman Imp reliable? We analysed 1,996 real MOT tests across 357 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Hillman Imp? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Hillman Imp is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded, brakes imbalanced across an axle and brake binding. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Hillman Imp.
Hillman Imp Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Hillman Imp. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Hillman Imp MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Hillman Imp to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Hillman Imp Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Hillman Imp fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Hillman Imp Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Hillman Imp owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Hillman Imp MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Hillman Imp year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | 56 | 83.9% | 30,292 | 40,481 | 60,251 |
| 1973 | 132 | 77.3% | 40,130 | 48,020 | 61,065 |
| 1972 | 156 | 77.6% | 40,032 | 51,402 | 82,294 |
| 1971 | 154 | 76.0% | 39,187 | 48,443 | 65,600 |
| 1970 | 209 | 81.3% | 41,451 | 50,832 | 78,321 |
| 1969 | 194 | 74.2% | 35,686 | 53,352 | 77,158 |
| 1968 | 134 | 75.4% | 51,118 | 70,887 | 77,458 |
| 1967 | 204 | 74.5% | 27,928 | 44,301 | 62,672 |
| 1966 | 205 | 82.0% | 18,489 | 40,071 | 63,496 |
| 1965 | 240 | 82.9% | 16,964 | 39,872 | 74,474 |
| 1964 | 149 | 81.2% | 40,271 | 52,991 | 75,590 |
| 1963 | 89 | 87.6% | 26,706 | 38,707 | 62,907 |
How Long Does a Hillman Imp Last?
Based on 357 Hillman Imp vehicles on UK roads.
Hillman Imp Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Hillman Imp 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 Hillman Imp
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
87.6% MOT pass rate from 89 tests
74.2% MOT pass rate from 194 tests
The best year to buy a used Hillman Imp is 1963, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 87.6% across 89 tests. The 1969 model year has the lowest pass rate at 74.2% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Hillman Imp Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hillman Imp THIS CAR | 79.1% | 1,996 | 49,422 mi | 63 yrs |
| Hillman Minx | 81.7% | 4,599 | 51,353 mi | 92 yrs |
| Hillman Imp Super | 78.2% | 2,745 | 50,442 mi | 60 yrs |
| Hillman Super Minx | 79.3% | 2,055 | 55,846 mi | 64 yrs |
| Ajs Dd 125 E | 71.5% | 1,292 | 9,663 mi | 20 yrs |
Compared to the Hillman Minx (81.7% pass rate) and the Hillman Imp Super (78.2% pass rate), the Hillman Imp sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.
Found a Hillman Imp 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 Hillman ImpShould you buy a used Hillman Imp?
The Hillman Imp has an overall MOT pass rate of 79.1% across 1,996 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 Hillman Imp are suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (78 recorded failures), brakes imbalanced across an axle (61), and brake binding (54). 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 Hillman Imp owner drives around 507 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 Hillman Imp models stay on UK roads for around 63 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.