Opel Manta Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Opel Manta car check
Is the Opel Manta reliable? We analysed 9,040 real MOT tests across 1,245 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Opel Manta? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Opel Manta is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded, seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded and position lamp(s) not working. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Opel Manta.
Opel Manta Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Opel Manta. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Opel Manta MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Opel Manta to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Opel Manta Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Opel Manta fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Opel Manta Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Opel Manta owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Opel Manta MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Opel Manta year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | 52 | 73.1% | 21,640 | 23,724 | 70,934 |
| 1988 | 1,267 | 75.7% | 27,164 | 52,339 | 74,071 |
| 1987 | 1,679 | 75.7% | 26,640 | 56,856 | 83,139 |
| 1986 | 1,161 | 74.3% | 26,353 | 59,974 | 83,334 |
| 1985 | 1,296 | 74.2% | 26,457 | 58,827 | 83,409 |
| 1984 | 1,067 | 77.1% | 21,246 | 41,458 | 72,380 |
| 1983 | 654 | 73.4% | 20,885 | 40,863 | 64,740 |
| 1982 | 112 | 84.8% | 36,893 | 43,919 | 55,150 |
| 1981 | 145 | 77.9% | 25,668 | 59,045 | 75,383 |
| 1980 | 185 | 76.2% | 26,551 | 55,181 | 94,582 |
| 1979 | 226 | 73.5% | 54,890 | 65,536 | 78,982 |
| 1978 | 140 | 75.0% | 31,232 | 51,511 | 77,492 |
| 1977 | 134 | 82.1% | 49,451 | 62,016 | 81,228 |
| 1976 | 96 | 72.9% | 19,680 | 39,906 | 79,110 |
| 1975 | 111 | 78.4% | 37,568 | 54,249 | 69,236 |
| 1974 | 74 | 82.4% | 18,593 | 34,462 | 47,300 |
| 1973 | 246 | 78.9% | 35,327 | 54,628 | 70,045 |
| 1972 | 160 | 79.4% | 35,268 | 58,580 | 79,232 |
| 1971 | 73 | 84.9% | 20,093 | 41,318 | 54,736 |
How Long Does a Opel Manta Last?
Based on 1,245 Opel Manta vehicles on UK roads.
Opel Manta Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Opel Manta 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 Opel Manta
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
84.9% MOT pass rate from 73 tests
72.9% MOT pass rate from 96 tests
The best year to buy a used Opel Manta is 1971, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 84.9% across 73 tests. The 1976 model year has the lowest pass rate at 72.9% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Opel Manta Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opel Manta THIS CAR | 75.9% | 9,040 | 54,163 mi | 54 yrs |
| Opel Zafira | 68.5% | 30,915 | 93,196 mi | 27 yrs |
| Opel Astra | 69.2% | 26,435 | 84,472 mi | 28 yrs |
| Opel Corsa | 65.8% | 19,398 | 69,011 mi | 33 yrs |
| Land Rover Discovery Rdynamic SE D MHEV A | 89.4% | 6,093 | 37,598 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Opel Zafira (68.5% pass rate) and the Opel Astra (69.2% pass rate), the Opel Manta outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Opel Manta 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 Opel MantaShould you buy a used Opel Manta?
The Opel Manta has an overall MOT pass rate of 75.9% across 9,040 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 Opel Manta are suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (735 recorded failures), seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (215), and position lamp(s) not working (197). 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 Opel Manta owner drives around 478 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 Opel Manta models stay on UK roads for around 54 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.