CarVerify

Malaguti Firefox Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Malaguti Firefox car check

Is the Malaguti Firefox reliable? We analysed 2,944 real MOT tests across 739 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 2,944 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
73.1%
Typical Mileage
7,595mi
Annual Mileage
744mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
29yrs

The Malaguti Firefox is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil, stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Malaguti Firefox.

Malaguti Firefox Number Plates

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

Malaguti Firefox MOT Pass Rate by Year

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

76.5%
2006
70.8%
2005
74.5%
2004
75.2%
2003
72.3%
2002
70%
2001
74.3%
2000
72.7%
1999
76.1%
1998
65.6%
1997

Malaguti Firefox Problems — What Goes Wrong?

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

shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil 153
Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 116
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 115
Exhaust is leaking and excessively noisey 72
Brake lever has inadequate reserve travel 67
wheel bearings have excessive free play 52
wheel bearings are excessively rough 52
Tyre tread not clearly visible 42
Roller brake test The less effective brake control does not achieve an efficiency of 25%. 40
Steering headbearing has excessive free play 40

Malaguti Firefox Mileage — What's Normal?

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

Low usage
161 mi/yr
Typical
744 mi/yr
Average
1,283 mi/yr
Heavy usage
1,749 mi/yr

Malaguti Firefox MOT Data by Registration Year

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

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2006 102 76.5% 3,449 5,061 8,210
2005 113 70.8% 2,844 5,807 8,994
2004 102 74.5% 2,052 4,365 7,683
2003 270 75.2% 1,507 4,662 8,501
2002 444 72.3% 1,763 4,848 9,215
2001 444 70.0% 3,242 6,628 10,396
2000 565 74.3% 5,489 9,320 14,283
1999 506 72.7% 7,147 10,879 15,623
1998 285 76.1% 4,954 12,976 20,890
1997 64 65.6% 4,620 7,028 9,636

How Long Does a Malaguti Firefox Last?

Based on 739 Malaguti Firefox vehicles on UK roads.

Average
9.5 years
Median
8.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
29 years

Malaguti Firefox Mileage Distribution

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

Median
7,595 mi
75th Percentile
13,004 mi
95th Percentile
24,097 mi
Max Recorded
211,378 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Malaguti Firefox

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

Best year
2006

76.5% MOT pass rate from 102 tests

Year to avoid
1997

65.6% MOT pass rate from 64 tests

The best year to buy a used Malaguti Firefox is 2006, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 76.5% across 102 tests. The 1997 model year has the lowest pass rate at 65.6% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Malaguti Firefox Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Malaguti Firefox THIS CAR 73.1% 2,944 7,595 mi 29 yrs
Malaguti Phantom 72.1% 3,435 9,547 mi 29 yrs
Malaguti Maddison 75.7% 1,261 16,100 mi 26 yrs
Malaguti Yesterday 76.7% 1,136 7,451 mi 28 yrs
Peugeot Expert HDI SWB 72.4% 1,043 149,759 mi — yrs

Compared to the Malaguti Phantom (72.1% pass rate) and the Malaguti Maddison (75.7% pass rate), the Malaguti Firefox sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Malaguti Firefox?

The Malaguti Firefox has an overall MOT pass rate of 73.1% across 2,944 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.

The most common problems on the Malaguti Firefox are shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (153 recorded failures), stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (116), and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (115). 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 Malaguti Firefox owner drives around 744 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 Malaguti Firefox models stay on UK roads for around 29 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.

Malaguti Firefox — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Malaguti Firefox reliable?
Based on 2,944 MOT tests, the Malaguti Firefox has a 73.1% pass rate — about average for UK cars.
What are the common problems on a Malaguti Firefox?
The most common MOT failures are shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil, stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies, and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Malaguti Firefox do per year?
The typical Malaguti Firefox does around 744 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Malaguti Firefox last?
Most Malaguti Firefox models stay on UK roads for around 29 years based on our analysis of 739 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Malaguti Firefox?
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 Malaguti Firefox?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Malaguti Firefox is 2006 with a 76.5% pass rate across 102 tests.