Reliant Scimitar Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Reliant Scimitar car check
Is the Reliant Scimitar reliable? We analysed 31,230 real MOT tests across 3,606 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Reliant Scimitar? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Reliant Scimitar is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include parking brake: efficiency below requirements, windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid and stop lamp not working. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Reliant Scimitar.
Reliant Scimitar Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Reliant Scimitar. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Reliant Scimitar MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Reliant Scimitar to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Reliant Scimitar Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Reliant Scimitar fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Reliant Scimitar Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Reliant Scimitar owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Reliant Scimitar MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Reliant Scimitar year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 169 | 75.1% | 28,525 | 50,641 | 63,203 |
| 1994 | 283 | 78.4% | 48,731 | 63,833 | 74,840 |
| 1993 | 375 | 78.4% | 26,824 | 51,644 | 63,368 |
| 1992 | 225 | 74.7% | 38,296 | 59,205 | 80,391 |
| 1991 | 112 | 78.6% | 46,113 | 68,594 | 82,708 |
| 1990 | 566 | 75.4% | 31,519 | 62,686 | 94,750 |
| 1989 | 925 | 74.8% | 48,262 | 76,393 | 98,599 |
| 1988 | 801 | 76.7% | 43,100 | 66,096 | 89,398 |
| 1987 | 1,297 | 73.6% | 53,855 | 74,418 | 98,079 |
| 1986 | 1,582 | 73.6% | 43,612 | 71,273 | 94,042 |
| 1985 | 2,348 | 74.1% | 46,916 | 70,962 | 90,582 |
| 1984 | 875 | 73.6% | 12,571 | 33,138 | 70,376 |
| 1983 | 725 | 73.9% | 29,340 | 58,762 | 78,050 |
| 1982 | 620 | 73.5% | 24,008 | 58,646 | 79,393 |
| 1981 | 1,430 | 72.9% | 24,242 | 50,912 | 72,690 |
| 1980 | 2,732 | 72.7% | 22,058 | 50,525 | 73,858 |
| 1979 | 2,028 | 71.3% | 22,431 | 46,030 | 77,486 |
| 1978 | 1,966 | 69.8% | 22,715 | 48,021 | 76,216 |
| 1977 | 2,078 | 71.1% | 23,831 | 48,816 | 76,012 |
| 1976 | 1,163 | 69.6% | 20,431 | 40,254 | 61,186 |
How Long Does a Reliant Scimitar Last?
Based on 3,606 Reliant Scimitar vehicles on UK roads.
Reliant Scimitar Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Reliant Scimitar 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 Reliant Scimitar
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
81.6% MOT pass rate from 679 tests
68.8% MOT pass rate from 1,065 tests
The best year to buy a used Reliant Scimitar is 1968, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 81.6% across 679 tests. The 1975 model year has the lowest pass rate at 68.8% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Reliant Scimitar Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reliant Scimitar THIS CAR | 73.5% | 31,230 | 53,975 mi | 60 yrs |
| Reliant Robin | 71% | 50,844 | 43,760 mi | 50 yrs |
| Reliant Rialto | 72% | 33,460 | 52,257 mi | 44 yrs |
| Reliant Kitten De Luxe | 70.7% | 2,848 | 56,217 mi | 51 yrs |
| MG Roadster | 80.3% | 16,734 | 29,307 mi | 67 yrs |
Compared to the Reliant Robin (71.0% pass rate) and the Reliant Rialto (72.0% pass rate), the Reliant Scimitar outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Reliant Scimitar 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 Reliant ScimitarShould you buy a used Reliant Scimitar?
The Reliant Scimitar has an overall MOT pass rate of 73.5% across 31,230 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Reliant Scimitar are parking brake: efficiency below requirements (1,074 recorded failures), windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (1,049), and stop lamp not working (851). 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 Reliant Scimitar owner drives around 598 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 Reliant Scimitar models stay on UK roads for around 60 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.