Raleigh Wisp Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Raleigh Wisp car check
Is the Raleigh Wisp reliable? We analysed 385 real MOT tests across 130 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Raleigh Wisp? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Raleigh Wisp is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include brake lever has inadequate reserve travel, horn not working and wheel spoke excessively loose. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Raleigh Wisp.
Raleigh Wisp Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Raleigh Wisp. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Raleigh Wisp MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Raleigh Wisp to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Raleigh Wisp Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Raleigh Wisp fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Raleigh Wisp MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Raleigh Wisp year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | 94 | 88.3% | 8,132 | 8,824 | 8,885 |
| 1967 | 180 | 95.6% | 61 | 61 | 61 |
How Long Does a Raleigh Wisp Last?
Based on 130 Raleigh Wisp vehicles on UK roads.
Raleigh Wisp Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Raleigh Wisp 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 Raleigh Wisp
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
95.6% MOT pass rate from 180 tests
88.3% MOT pass rate from 94 tests
The best year to buy a used Raleigh Wisp is 1967, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 95.6% across 180 tests. The 1968 model year has the lowest pass rate at 88.3% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Raleigh Wisp Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raleigh Wisp THIS CAR | 93.2% | 385 | 61 mi | 59 yrs |
| Raleigh Runabout | 92.4% | 767 | 1,586 mi | 62 yrs |
| Raleigh Unknown | 92.3% | 183 | 4,410 mi | — yrs |
| Hyundai Accent Alaska | 63.8% | 475 | 70,396 mi | 28 yrs |
| Renault Clio Mtv | 68.7% | 163 | 95,342 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Raleigh Runabout (92.4% pass rate) and the Raleigh Unknown (92.3% pass rate), the Raleigh Wisp outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Raleigh Wisp 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 Raleigh WispShould you buy a used Raleigh Wisp?
The Raleigh Wisp has an overall MOT pass rate of 93.2% across 385 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 Wisp are brake lever has inadequate reserve travel (3 recorded failures), horn not working (3), and wheel spoke excessively loose (2). 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.
In terms of longevity, most Raleigh Wisp models stay on UK roads for around 59 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.