Morgan Roadster Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Morgan Roadster car check
Is the Morgan Roadster reliable? We analysed 9,560 real MOT tests across 843 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Morgan Roadster? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Morgan Roadster is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include stop lamp not working, windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid and brake binding. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Morgan Roadster.
Morgan Roadster Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Morgan Roadster. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Morgan Roadster MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Morgan Roadster to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Morgan Roadster Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Morgan Roadster fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Morgan Roadster Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Morgan Roadster models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Morgan Roadster Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Morgan Roadster owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Morgan Roadster MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Morgan Roadster year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 143 | 89.5% | 3,680 | 6,389 | 10,256 |
| 2018 | 210 | 91.0% | 3,724 | 6,643 | 10,753 |
| 2017 | 260 | 90.0% | 4,675 | 7,384 | 13,848 |
| 2016 | 329 | 86.6% | 6,305 | 10,942 | 16,612 |
| 2015 | 350 | 85.4% | 5,946 | 9,318 | 13,342 |
| 2014 | 442 | 85.1% | 6,546 | 10,360 | 17,712 |
| 2013 | 417 | 87.8% | 7,657 | 11,878 | 18,335 |
| 2012 | 310 | 87.4% | 8,690 | 13,566 | 19,964 |
| 2011 | 434 | 91.7% | 5,650 | 11,406 | 18,896 |
| 2010 | 738 | 91.1% | 5,996 | 11,854 | 19,790 |
| 2009 | 852 | 89.2% | 9,095 | 15,692 | 25,470 |
| 2008 | 768 | 86.3% | 7,656 | 14,779 | 26,886 |
| 2007 | 852 | 84.0% | 10,170 | 22,088 | 33,978 |
| 2006 | 625 | 85.1% | 10,056 | 21,276 | 33,384 |
| 2005 | 922 | 88.7% | 11,607 | 19,222 | 30,866 |
| 2004 | 1,100 | 87.2% | 12,101 | 21,647 | 36,909 |
How Long Does a Morgan Roadster Last?
Based on 843 Morgan Roadster vehicles on UK roads.
Morgan Roadster Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Morgan Roadster 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 Morgan Roadster
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
91.7% MOT pass rate from 434 tests
84.0% MOT pass rate from 852 tests
The best year to buy a used Morgan Roadster is 2011, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 91.7% across 434 tests. The 2007 model year has the lowest pass rate at 84.0% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Morgan Roadster Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morgan Roadster THIS CAR | 87.3% | 9,560 | 14,710 mi | 22 yrs |
| Morgan 4/4 | 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 |
| Renault Clio D-que M-nav Energy DCI Ss | 79.9% | 3,056 | 75,274 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Morgan 4/4 (84.6% pass rate) and the Morgan Plus 4 (85.6% pass rate), the Morgan Roadster outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Morgan Roadster 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 Morgan RoadsterShould you buy a used Morgan Roadster?
The Morgan Roadster has an overall MOT pass rate of 87.3% across 9,560 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 Roadster are stop lamp not working (50 recorded failures), windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (33), and brake binding (30). 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.
On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is stop lamp(s) all not working. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Morgan Roadster with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.
A typical Morgan Roadster owner drives around 938 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 Roadster models stay on UK roads for around 22 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.