Morris Marina Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Morris Marina car check
Is the Morris Marina reliable? We analysed 885 real MOT tests across 188 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Morris Marina? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Morris Marina is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded, suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded and brakes imbalanced across an axle. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Morris Marina.
Morris Marina Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Morris Marina. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Morris Marina MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Morris Marina to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Morris Marina Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Morris Marina fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Morris Marina Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Morris Marina owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Morris Marina MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Morris Marina year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 102 | 76.5% | 40,752 | 50,422 | 60,332 |
| 1979 | 87 | 70.1% | 54,741 | 68,401 | 74,911 |
| 1978 | 85 | 83.5% | 29,033 | 60,557 | 87,725 |
| 1976 | 54 | 72.2% | 58,297 | 68,795 | 72,007 |
| 1974 | 112 | 75.0% | 10,186 | 32,093 | 45,349 |
| 1973 | 77 | 75.3% | 13,476 | 57,401 | 79,780 |
| 1972 | 189 | 81.5% | 31,999 | 50,971 | 60,859 |
| 1971 | 122 | 71.3% | 17,322 | 46,179 | 80,995 |
How Long Does a Morris Marina Last?
Based on 188 Morris Marina vehicles on UK roads.
Morris Marina Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Morris Marina 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 Marina
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
83.5% MOT pass rate from 85 tests
70.1% MOT pass rate from 87 tests
The best year to buy a used Morris Marina is 1978, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 83.5% across 85 tests. The 1979 model year has the lowest pass rate at 70.1% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Morris Marina Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morris Marina THIS CAR | 75.8% | 885 | 51,620 mi | 55 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 |
| Vauxhall Crossland SE Edition Turbo | 88.7% | 354 | 24,386 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Morris Minor 1000 (71.9% pass rate) and the Morris Minor (73.6% pass rate), the Morris Marina outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Morris Marina 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 MarinaShould you buy a used Morris Marina?
The Morris Marina has an overall MOT pass rate of 75.8% across 885 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 Marina are suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (37 recorded failures), suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (35), and brakes imbalanced across an axle (24). 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 Marina owner drives around 449 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 Marina models stay on UK roads for around 55 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.