Humber Snipe Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Humber Snipe car check
Is the Humber Snipe reliable? We analysed 742 real MOT tests across 121 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Humber Snipe? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Humber Snipe is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include brake binding, windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid and parking brake: efficiency below requirements. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Humber Snipe.
Humber Snipe Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Humber Snipe. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Humber Snipe MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Humber Snipe to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Humber Snipe Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Humber Snipe fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Humber Snipe Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Humber Snipe owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Humber Snipe MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Humber Snipe year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 | 77 | 87.0% | 39,804 | 85,687 | 92,946 |
| 1965 | 65 | 78.5% | 58,329 | 61,834 | 72,377 |
| 1964 | 66 | 89.4% | 9,094 | 61,922 | 82,215 |
| 1962 | 65 | 80.0% | 5,299 | 59,506 | 91,419 |
| 1961 | 94 | 83.0% | 43,081 | 51,182 | 62,503 |
| 1960 | 86 | 86.0% | 47,228 | 68,472 | 81,535 |
How Long Does a Humber Snipe Last?
Based on 121 Humber Snipe vehicles on UK roads.
Humber Snipe Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Humber Snipe 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 Humber Snipe
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
89.4% MOT pass rate from 66 tests
78.5% MOT pass rate from 65 tests
The best year to buy a used Humber Snipe is 1964, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 89.4% across 66 tests. The 1965 model year has the lowest pass rate at 78.5% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Humber Snipe Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Humber Snipe THIS CAR | 85.4% | 742 | 60,030 mi | 66 yrs |
| Humber Sceptre | 78.6% | 4,030 | 54,284 mi | 63 yrs |
| Humber Hawk | 84.4% | 1,424 | 53,883 mi | 71 yrs |
| Humber S. Snipe Series Ii-v | 83.9% | 757 | 56,669 mi | 66 yrs |
| Kawasaki ZL1000 | 85.3% | 1,235 | 28,648 mi | 39 yrs |
Compared to the Humber Sceptre (78.6% pass rate) and the Humber Hawk (84.4% pass rate), the Humber Snipe outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Humber Snipe 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 Humber SnipeShould you buy a used Humber Snipe?
The Humber Snipe has an overall MOT pass rate of 85.4% across 742 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 Humber Snipe are brake binding (20 recorded failures), windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (18), and parking brake: efficiency below requirements (11). 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 Humber Snipe owner drives around 326 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 Humber Snipe models stay on UK roads for around 66 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.