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Raleigh Runabout Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Raleigh Runabout car check

Is the Raleigh Runabout reliable? We analysed 767 real MOT tests across 250 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 767 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
92.4%
Typical Mileage
1,586mi
Annual Mileage
34mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
62yrs

The Raleigh Runabout is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include roller brake test the less effective brake control does not achieve an efficiency of 25%., tyre has ply or cord exposed and position lamp does not illuminate immediately when it is switched on. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Raleigh Runabout.

Raleigh Runabout Number Plates

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

Raleigh Runabout MOT Pass Rate by Year

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

95.2%
1969
98%
1967
90.5%
1966
95.5%
1965
90.2%
1964

Raleigh Runabout Problems — What Goes Wrong?

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

Roller brake test The less effective brake control does not achieve an efficiency of 25%. 7
Tyre has ply or cord exposed 5
position lamp does not illuminate immediately when it is switched on 4
position lamp does not illuminate immediately when switched on 4
Tyre is incorrectly seated on the wheel rim 4
wheel bearings have excessive free play 4
Roller brake test Neither brake control achieves an efficiency of 25% 3
Floor brake test No brake control achieves an efficiency of 30%. 3
Horn not working 3
reflector on motorcycle missing 3

Raleigh Runabout Mileage — What's Normal?

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

Low usage
10 mi/yr
Typical
34 mi/yr
Average
288 mi/yr
Heavy usage
100 mi/yr

Raleigh Runabout MOT Data by Registration Year

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

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
1969 63 95.2% 118 339 2,618
1967 50 98.0% 4,044 6,415 8,233
1966 74 90.5% 383 2,582 6,131
1965 156 95.5% 1 660 1,514
1964 82 90.2% 1,072 2,848 4,540

How Long Does a Raleigh Runabout Last?

Based on 250 Raleigh Runabout vehicles on UK roads.

Average
39.3 years
Median
45.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
62 years

Raleigh Runabout Mileage Distribution

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

Median
1,586 mi
75th Percentile
4,592 mi
95th Percentile
9,087 mi
Max Recorded
21,497 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Raleigh Runabout

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

Best year
1967

98.0% MOT pass rate from 50 tests

Year to avoid
1964

90.2% MOT pass rate from 82 tests

The best year to buy a used Raleigh Runabout is 1967, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 98.0% across 50 tests. The 1964 model year has the lowest pass rate at 90.2% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Raleigh Runabout Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Raleigh Runabout THIS CAR 92.4% 767 1,586 mi 62 yrs
Raleigh Wisp 93.2% 385 61 mi 59 yrs
Raleigh Unknown 92.3% 183 4,410 mi — yrs
Jaguar S-type V6 SE Auto 68.7% 604 86,616 mi — yrs
Moto Guzzi V65 81.6% 696 25,848 mi 41 yrs

Compared to the Raleigh Wisp (93.2% pass rate) and the Raleigh Unknown (92.3% pass rate), the Raleigh Runabout sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.

Found a Raleigh Runabout you like?

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Should you buy a used Raleigh Runabout?

The Raleigh Runabout has an overall MOT pass rate of 92.4% across 767 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 Raleigh Runabout are roller brake test the less effective brake control does not achieve an efficiency of 25%. (7 recorded failures), tyre has ply or cord exposed (5), and position lamp does not illuminate immediately when it is switched on (4). 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 Raleigh Runabout owner drives around 34 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 Raleigh Runabout models stay on UK roads for around 62 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.

Raleigh Runabout — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Raleigh Runabout reliable?
Based on 767 MOT tests, the Raleigh Runabout has a 92.4% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Raleigh Runabout?
The most common MOT failures are roller brake test the less effective brake control does not achieve an efficiency of 25%., tyre has ply or cord exposed, and position lamp does not illuminate immediately when it is switched on. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Raleigh Runabout do per year?
The typical Raleigh Runabout does around 34 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Raleigh Runabout last?
Most Raleigh Runabout models stay on UK roads for around 62 years based on our analysis of 250 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Raleigh Runabout?
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 Raleigh Runabout?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Raleigh Runabout is 1967 with a 98.0% pass rate across 50 tests.