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Jensen Interceptor III Auto Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Jensen Interceptor III Auto car check

Is the Jensen Interceptor III Auto reliable? We analysed 2,012 real MOT tests across 248 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 2,012 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
79.0%
Typical Mileage
58,700mi
Annual Mileage
319mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
55yrs

The Jensen Interceptor III Auto is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid, parking brake: efficiency below requirements and headlamp not working on main beam. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Jensen Interceptor III Auto.

Jensen Interceptor III Auto Number Plates

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

Jensen Interceptor III Auto MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Jensen Interceptor III Auto to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

87.5%
1976
76.4%
1975
82.7%
1974
78.6%
1973
77%
1972
71.4%
1971

Jensen Interceptor III Auto Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Jensen Interceptor III Auto fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 76
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 75
Headlamp not working on main beam 60
parking brake recording little or no effort 40
position lamp(s) not working 37
Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded 34
Stop lamp not working 32
Direction indicators not working 32
Headlamp not working on dipped beam 28
Headlamp aim too high 27

Jensen Interceptor III Auto Mileage — What's Normal?

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

Low usage
96 mi/yr
Typical
319 mi/yr
Average
965 mi/yr
Heavy usage
822 mi/yr

Jensen Interceptor III Auto MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Jensen Interceptor III Auto year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
1976 104 87.5% 42,981 56,359 63,808
1975 144 76.4% 33,990 48,129 77,838
1974 376 82.7% 41,120 49,156 67,869
1973 854 78.6% 34,360 64,383 79,857
1972 339 77.0% 54,864 66,295 76,116
1971 168 71.4% 36,204 55,874 71,712

How Long Does a Jensen Interceptor III Auto Last?

Based on 248 Jensen Interceptor III Auto vehicles on UK roads.

Average
43.1 years
Median
43.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
55 years

Jensen Interceptor III Auto Mileage Distribution

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

Median
58,700 mi
75th Percentile
73,159 mi
95th Percentile
92,202 mi
Max Recorded
159,500 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Jensen Interceptor III Auto

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

Best year
1976

87.5% MOT pass rate from 104 tests

Year to avoid
1971

71.4% MOT pass rate from 168 tests

The best year to buy a used Jensen Interceptor III Auto is 1976, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 87.5% across 104 tests. The 1971 model year has the lowest pass rate at 71.4% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Jensen Interceptor III Auto Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Jensen Interceptor III Auto THIS CAR 79.0% 2,012 58,700 mi 55 yrs
Jensen Interceptor 81.3% 4,348 57,692 mi 59 yrs
Jensen Jensen-healey 74.8% 2,492 60,312 mi 55 yrs
Jensen CV8 82.7% 1,315 50,146 mi 63 yrs
Ktm 250EXC 79.1% 1,327 2,724 mi 26 yrs

Compared to the Jensen Interceptor (81.3% pass rate) and the Jensen Jensen-healey (74.8% pass rate), the Jensen Interceptor III Auto sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Jensen Interceptor III Auto?

The Jensen Interceptor III Auto has an overall MOT pass rate of 79.0% across 2,012 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 Jensen Interceptor III Auto are windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (76 recorded failures), parking brake: efficiency below requirements (75), and headlamp not working on main beam (60). 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 Jensen Interceptor III Auto owner drives around 319 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 Jensen Interceptor III Auto models stay on UK roads for around 55 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.

Jensen Interceptor III Auto — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Jensen Interceptor III Auto reliable?
Based on 2,012 MOT tests, the Jensen Interceptor III Auto has a 79.0% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Jensen Interceptor III Auto?
The most common MOT failures are windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid, parking brake: efficiency below requirements, and headlamp not working on main beam. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Jensen Interceptor III Auto do per year?
The typical Jensen Interceptor III Auto does around 319 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Jensen Interceptor III Auto last?
Most Jensen Interceptor III Auto models stay on UK roads for around 55 years based on our analysis of 248 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Jensen Interceptor III Auto?
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 Jensen Interceptor III Auto?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Jensen Interceptor III Auto is 1976 with a 87.5% pass rate across 104 tests.