Morris Eight Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Morris Eight car check
Is the Morris Eight reliable? We analysed 915 real MOT tests across 167 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Morris Eight? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Morris Eight is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include stop lamp not working, headlamp not working on main beam and brake recording little or no effort. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Morris Eight.
Morris Eight Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Morris Eight. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Morris Eight MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Morris Eight to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Morris Eight Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Morris Eight fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Morris Eight Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Morris Eight owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Morris Eight MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Morris Eight year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1948 | 64 | 76.6% | 9,575 | 32,642 | 59,398 |
| 1947 | 63 | 82.5% | 4,270 | 52,858 | 57,326 |
| 1939 | 73 | 87.7% | 10,433 | 44,023 | 68,143 |
| 1938 | 104 | 85.6% | 15,325 | 37,743 | 54,581 |
| 1937 | 141 | 85.1% | 8,986 | 39,197 | 68,849 |
| 1936 | 89 | 87.6% | 6,401 | 33,857 | 42,585 |
| 1935 | 142 | 89.4% | 14,979 | 27,154 | 69,122 |
How Long Does a Morris Eight Last?
Based on 167 Morris Eight vehicles on UK roads.
Morris Eight Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Morris Eight 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 Eight
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
89.4% MOT pass rate from 142 tests
76.6% MOT pass rate from 64 tests
The best year to buy a used Morris Eight is 1935, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 89.4% across 142 tests. The 1948 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 Morris Eight Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morris Eight THIS CAR | 86.4% | 915 | 35,430 mi | 91 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 |
| Mercedes-benz C 300 AMG Line ED Prem + E A | 84.1% | 712 | 39,779 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Morris Minor 1000 (71.9% pass rate) and the Morris Minor (73.6% pass rate), the Morris Eight outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Morris Eight 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 EightShould you buy a used Morris Eight?
The Morris Eight has an overall MOT pass rate of 86.4% across 915 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 Eight are stop lamp not working (25 recorded failures), headlamp not working on main beam (19), and brake recording little or no effort (17). 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 Eight owner drives around 165 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 Eight models stay on UK roads for around 91 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.