Lada Samara Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Lada Samara car check
Is the Lada Samara reliable? We analysed 2,474 real MOT tests across 717 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Lada Samara? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Lada Samara is below average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded, brake pipe excessively corroded and constant velocity joint gaiter split. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Lada Samara.
Lada Samara Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Lada Samara. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Lada Samara MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Lada Samara to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Lada Samara Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Lada Samara fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Lada Samara Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Lada Samara owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Lada Samara MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Lada Samara year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 261 | 60.9% | 17,664 | 29,741 | 42,752 |
| 1996 | 426 | 63.4% | 23,902 | 35,754 | 47,111 |
| 1995 | 279 | 60.6% | 20,255 | 27,636 | 39,182 |
| 1994 | 295 | 61.4% | 25,622 | 36,682 | 52,274 |
| 1993 | 216 | 59.3% | 20,481 | 32,387 | 49,307 |
| 1992 | 280 | 65.0% | 27,580 | 36,453 | 52,898 |
| 1991 | 176 | 68.2% | 31,919 | 38,522 | 58,879 |
| 1990 | 273 | 61.9% | 27,860 | 39,671 | 53,711 |
| 1989 | 164 | 68.9% | 29,440 | 38,037 | 52,977 |
| 1988 | 70 | 72.9% | 27,230 | 31,209 | 48,808 |
How Long Does a Lada Samara Last?
Based on 717 Lada Samara vehicles on UK roads.
Lada Samara Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Lada Samara 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 Lada Samara
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
72.9% MOT pass rate from 70 tests
59.3% MOT pass rate from 216 tests
The best year to buy a used Lada Samara is 1988, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 72.9% across 70 tests. The 1993 model year has the lowest pass rate at 59.3% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Lada Samara Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lada Samara THIS CAR | 63.2% | 2,474 | 35,358 mi | 38 yrs |
| Lada Riva | 67.4% | 3,646 | 34,463 mi | 40 yrs |
| Lada Niva | 64.2% | 2,766 | 45,755 mi | 39 yrs |
| Lada Hussar | 62.7% | 895 | 44,472 mi | 31 yrs |
| Volkswagen T-roc Life TSI S-a | 90.9% | 3,783 | 22,180 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Lada Riva (67.4% pass rate) and the Lada Niva (64.2% pass rate), the Lada Samara trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Lada Samara 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 Lada SamaraShould you buy a used Lada Samara?
The Lada Samara has an overall MOT pass rate of 63.2% across 2,474 real MOT tests — below the UK average, so reliability should be a key concern.
The most common problems on the Lada Samara are suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (344 recorded failures), brake pipe excessively corroded (171), and constant velocity joint gaiter split (162). 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 Lada Samara owner drives around 1,026 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 Lada Samara models stay on UK roads for around 38 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.