Morris 8 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Morris 8 car check
Is the Morris 8 reliable? We analysed 2,840 real MOT tests across 509 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Morris 8? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Morris 8 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include brake recording little or no effort, stop lamp not working and parking brake: efficiency below requirements. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Morris 8.
Morris 8 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Morris 8. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Morris 8 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Morris 8 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Morris 8 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Morris 8 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Morris 8 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Morris 8 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Morris 8 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Morris 8 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1948 | 129 | 86.0% | 13,425 | 56,805 | 73,465 |
| 1946 | 107 | 83.2% | 6,900 | 46,671 | 76,634 |
| 1939 | 182 | 86.8% | 10,949 | 24,599 | 64,722 |
| 1938 | 311 | 84.9% | 14,724 | 38,516 | 66,869 |
| 1937 | 638 | 86.7% | 9,522 | 26,445 | 52,672 |
| 1936 | 480 | 87.1% | 6,468 | 24,214 | 52,644 |
| 1935 | 422 | 91.0% | 9,686 | 35,864 | 68,518 |
| 1934 | 69 | 85.5% | 1,977 | 9,044 | 24,051 |
How Long Does a Morris 8 Last?
Based on 509 Morris 8 vehicles on UK roads.
Morris 8 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Morris 8 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 Morris 8
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
91.0% MOT pass rate from 422 tests
83.2% MOT pass rate from 107 tests
The best year to buy a used Morris 8 is 1935, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 91.0% across 422 tests. The 1946 model year has the lowest pass rate at 83.2% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Morris 8 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morris 8 THIS CAR | 86.9% | 2,840 | 29,621 mi | 92 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 |
| Ford Fiesta Finesse | 76.8% | 5,668 | 94,814 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Morris Minor 1000 (71.9% pass rate) and the Morris Minor (73.6% pass rate), the Morris 8 outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Morris 8 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 Morris 8Should you buy a used Morris 8?
The Morris 8 has an overall MOT pass rate of 86.9% across 2,840 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 8 are brake recording little or no effort (76 recorded failures), stop lamp not working (69), and parking brake: efficiency below requirements (52). 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 8 owner drives around 200 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 8 models stay on UK roads for around 92 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.