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Morgan 4/4 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Morgan 4/4 car check

Is the Morgan 4/4 reliable? We analysed 54,616 real MOT tests across 3,966 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 54,616 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
84.6%
Typical Mileage
25,048mi
Annual Mileage
597mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
58yrs

The Morgan 4/4 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include brake binding, windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid and stop lamp not working. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Morgan 4/4.

Specifications

Morgan 4/4 — specs & performance

Verified from DVLA & DVSA records

A snapshot of the engine, performance, dimensions, fuel economy and running costs for the Morgan 4/4 — drawn from official DVLA vehicle records and the DVSA fuel-economy database.

1796cc
Engine
114bhp
Power
196g/km
CO₂

Engine & Performance

Engine size
1796cc
Power
114 BHP
Fuel type
Petrol

Body & Dimensions

Body type
Car
Common colour
Blue
Wheel plan
2 Axle Rigid Body

Fuel Economy

Fuel-economy data not held for this model.

Tax & Emissions

CO2 output
196 g/km Band J
Emission class
3
Road tax (12 mo.)
£300
Road tax (6 mo.)
£165
Sources: DVLA vehicle register · VCA emissions data. Specifications reflect a representative Morgan 4/4 record and may vary by trim, year and option pack.

Morgan 4/4 Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Morgan 4/4. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Morgan 4/4 MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Morgan 4/4 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

88.9%
2018
91.6%
2017
87.5%
2016
87.8%
2015
88.1%
2014
87.4%
2013
88.8%
2012
89%
2011
89.4%
2010
86%
2009
88.1%
2008
88.3%
2007
88.5%
2006
82.9%
2005
88%
2004
87.2%
2003
86.3%
2002
85.9%
2001
86%
2000
87.4%
1999

Morgan 4/4 Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Morgan 4/4 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

brake binding 666
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 458
Stop lamp not working 451
fog lamp not working 371
Brakes imbalanced across an axle 321
position lamp(s) not working 308
brake recording little or no effort 306
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 299
Brake pedal anti-slip provision missing 266

Morgan 4/4 Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Morgan 4/4 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
218 mi/yr
Typical
597 mi/yr
Average
1,275 mi/yr
Heavy usage
1,392 mi/yr

Morgan 4/4 MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Morgan 4/4 year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2018 226 88.9% 4,198 6,862 12,837
2017 299 91.6% 3,805 6,030 11,340
2016 352 87.5% 4,933 9,208 15,251
2015 337 87.8% 3,975 7,347 12,265
2014 386 88.1% 6,490 11,202 18,285
2013 366 87.4% 5,428 10,084 22,508
2012 437 88.8% 10,017 15,478 21,327
2011 663 89.0% 7,714 12,336 22,146
2010 670 89.4% 7,815 14,065 23,582
2009 807 86.0% 10,118 15,627 23,102
2008 1,001 88.1% 10,126 16,041 24,082
2007 819 88.3% 6,858 12,546 20,376
2006 1,301 88.5% 8,748 14,995 22,406
2005 774 82.9% 10,760 20,154 30,893
2004 1,265 88.0% 8,193 16,813 29,688
2003 1,896 87.2% 9,852 16,735 26,900
2002 2,455 86.3% 9,192 16,994 27,382
2001 2,703 85.9% 11,980 20,575 31,167
2000 3,502 86.0% 11,349 19,384 32,503
1999 2,540 87.4% 13,275 23,076 35,208

How Long Does a Morgan 4/4 Last?

Based on 3,966 Morgan 4/4 vehicles on UK roads.

Average
28.1 years
Median
27.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
58 years

Morgan 4/4 Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Morgan 4/4 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
25,048 mi
75th Percentile
44,611 mi
95th Percentile
81,089 mi
Max Recorded
911,685 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Morgan 4/4

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

Best year
1937

98.3% MOT pass rate from 60 tests

Year to avoid
1977

76.6% MOT pass rate from 561 tests

The best year to buy a used Morgan 4/4 is 1937, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 98.3% across 60 tests. The 1977 model year has the lowest pass rate at 76.6% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Morgan 4/4 Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Morgan 4/4 THIS CAR 84.6% 54,616 25,048 mi 58 yrs
Morgan Plus 4 85.6% 23,769 17,689 mi 72 yrs
Morgan Plus 8 85.5% 22,733 26,389 mi 57 yrs
Morgan Roadster 87.3% 9,560 14,710 mi 22 yrs
Land Rover Range Rover Evoque R-dyn S D A 88.1% 28,914 32,635 mi — yrs

Compared to the Morgan Plus 4 (85.6% pass rate) and the Morgan Plus 8 (85.5% pass rate), the Morgan 4/4 trails behind on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Morgan 4/4?

The Morgan 4/4 has an overall MOT pass rate of 84.6% across 54,616 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 Morgan 4/4 are brake binding (666 recorded failures), windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (458), and stop lamp not working (451). 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 Morgan 4/4 owner drives around 597 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 Morgan 4/4 models stay on UK roads for around 58 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.

Morgan 4/4 — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Morgan 4/4 reliable?
Based on 54,616 MOT tests, the Morgan 4/4 has a 84.6% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Morgan 4/4?
The most common MOT failures are brake binding, windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid, and stop lamp not working. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Morgan 4/4 do per year?
The typical Morgan 4/4 does around 597 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Morgan 4/4 last?
Most Morgan 4/4 models stay on UK roads for around 58 years based on our analysis of 3,966 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Morgan 4/4?
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 Morgan 4/4?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Morgan 4/4 is 1937 with a 98.3% pass rate across 60 tests.