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Hillman Imp Deluxe Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Hillman Imp Deluxe car check

Is the Hillman Imp Deluxe reliable? We analysed 1,309 real MOT tests across 207 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 1,309 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
82.7%
Typical Mileage
50,805mi
Annual Mileage
499mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
63yrs

The Hillman Imp Deluxe is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded, brake binding and windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Hillman Imp Deluxe.

Hillman Imp Deluxe Number Plates

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

Hillman Imp Deluxe MOT Pass Rate by Year

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

86.1%
1976
73.3%
1975
79.7%
1974
82.4%
1973
86.5%
1972
74.5%
1971
75.9%
1970
86.7%
1968
90.4%
1965
84.3%
1964
85.1%
1963

Hillman Imp Deluxe Problems — What Goes Wrong?

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

Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded 46
brake binding 39
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 33
Brakes imbalanced across an axle 30
Stop lamp not working 23
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 22
Track rod end ball joint has excessive play 21
Axle king pin has excessive play in pin and/or bush adversely affecting the steering 20
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 20
Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings 17

Hillman Imp Deluxe Mileage — What's Normal?

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

Low usage
144 mi/yr
Typical
499 mi/yr
Average
1,527 mi/yr
Heavy usage
1,634 mi/yr

Hillman Imp Deluxe MOT Data by Registration Year

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

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
1976 201 86.1% 34,032 49,116 61,235
1975 135 73.3% 26,302 54,852 72,729
1974 133 79.7% 40,010 50,471 67,095
1973 68 82.4% 24,552 46,338 68,132
1972 215 86.5% 43,721 54,328 70,045
1971 106 74.5% 26,948 47,027 57,832
1970 54 75.9% 32,468 54,976 69,439
1968 60 86.7% 42,339 57,275 64,679
1965 52 90.4% 47,799 53,530 54,982
1964 127 84.3% 25,183 47,918 55,197
1963 67 85.1% 46,589 48,180 58,639

How Long Does a Hillman Imp Deluxe Last?

Based on 207 Hillman Imp Deluxe vehicles on UK roads.

Average
42.3 years
Median
42.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
63 years

Hillman Imp Deluxe Mileage Distribution

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

Median
50,805 mi
75th Percentile
64,477 mi
95th Percentile
89,387 mi
Max Recorded
568,127 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Hillman Imp Deluxe

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

Best year
1965

90.4% MOT pass rate from 52 tests

Year to avoid
1975

73.3% MOT pass rate from 135 tests

The best year to buy a used Hillman Imp Deluxe is 1965, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 90.4% across 52 tests. The 1975 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 Hillman Imp Deluxe Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Hillman Imp Deluxe THIS CAR 82.7% 1,309 50,805 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
Porsche 911 Turbo 85.2% 1,254 49,690 mi 29 yrs

Compared to the Hillman Minx (81.7% pass rate) and the Hillman Imp Super (78.2% pass rate), the Hillman Imp Deluxe outperforms both on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Hillman Imp Deluxe?

The Hillman Imp Deluxe has an overall MOT pass rate of 82.7% across 1,309 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 Deluxe are suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (46 recorded failures), brake binding (39), and windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (33). 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 Deluxe owner drives around 499 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 Deluxe 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.

Hillman Imp Deluxe — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Hillman Imp Deluxe reliable?
Based on 1,309 MOT tests, the Hillman Imp Deluxe has a 82.7% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Hillman Imp Deluxe?
The most common MOT failures are suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded, brake binding, and windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Hillman Imp Deluxe do per year?
The typical Hillman Imp Deluxe does around 499 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Hillman Imp Deluxe last?
Most Hillman Imp Deluxe models stay on UK roads for around 63 years based on our analysis of 207 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Hillman Imp Deluxe?
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 Hillman Imp Deluxe?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Hillman Imp Deluxe is 1965 with a 90.4% pass rate across 52 tests.