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Morris 1300 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Morris 1300 car check

Is the Morris 1300 reliable? We analysed 1,028 real MOT tests across 126 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 1,028 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
78.0%
Typical Mileage
41,388mi
Annual Mileage
344mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
58yrs

The Morris 1300 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded, brake binding and parking brake: efficiency below requirements. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Morris 1300.

Morris 1300 Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Morris 1300. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Morris 1300 MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Morris 1300 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

79%
1972
74.3%
1971
76%
1970
78.4%
1969
82%
1968

Morris 1300 Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Morris 1300 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded 57
brake binding 51
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 34
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded 34
brake recording little or no effort 31
Brakes imbalanced across an axle 23
parking brake recording little or no effort 22
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 22
Horn not working 17
Service brake: efficiency below requirements 15

Morris 1300 Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Morris 1300 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
92 mi/yr
Typical
344 mi/yr
Average
879 mi/yr
Heavy usage
977 mi/yr

Morris 1300 MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Morris 1300 year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
1972 105 79.0% 35,621 37,848 62,074
1971 230 74.3% 23,624 44,860 67,755
1970 200 76.0% 33,844 41,884 55,226
1969 273 78.4% 27,780 42,333 60,457
1968 150 82.0% 27,490 37,522 69,640

How Long Does a Morris 1300 Last?

Based on 126 Morris 1300 vehicles on UK roads.

Average
44.4 years
Median
46.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
58 years

Morris 1300 Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Morris 1300 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
41,388 mi
75th Percentile
63,075 mi
95th Percentile
90,970 mi
Max Recorded
669,719 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Morris 1300

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

Best year
1968

82.0% MOT pass rate from 150 tests

Year to avoid
1971

74.3% MOT pass rate from 230 tests

The best year to buy a used Morris 1300 is 1968, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 82.0% across 150 tests. The 1971 model year has the lowest pass rate at 74.3% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Morris 1300 Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Morris 1300 THIS CAR 78.0% 1,028 41,388 mi 58 yrs
Morris Minor 1000 71.9% 135,442 47,754 mi 69 yrs
Morris Minor 73.6% 72,367 45,592 mi 76 yrs
Morris Minor Traveller 72.3% 11,365 47,651 mi 72 yrs
Peugeot Buxy 73.5% 457 11,758 mi 30 yrs

Compared to the Morris Minor 1000 (71.9% pass rate) and the Morris Minor (73.6% pass rate), the Morris 1300 outperforms both on MOT reliability.

Found a Morris 1300 you like?

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Should you buy a used Morris 1300?

The Morris 1300 has an overall MOT pass rate of 78.0% across 1,028 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 Morris 1300 are subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (57 recorded failures), brake binding (51), and parking brake: efficiency below requirements (34). 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 Morris 1300 owner drives around 344 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 Morris 1300 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.

Morris 1300 — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Morris 1300 reliable?
Based on 1,028 MOT tests, the Morris 1300 has a 78.0% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Morris 1300?
The most common MOT failures are subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded, brake binding, and parking brake: efficiency below requirements. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Morris 1300 do per year?
The typical Morris 1300 does around 344 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Morris 1300 last?
Most Morris 1300 models stay on UK roads for around 58 years based on our analysis of 126 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Morris 1300?
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 Morris 1300?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Morris 1300 is 1968 with a 82.0% pass rate across 150 tests.