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Reliant Scimitar GTE Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Reliant Scimitar GTE car check

Is the Reliant Scimitar GTE reliable? We analysed 1,155 real MOT tests across 217 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 1,155 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
76.5%
Typical Mileage
42,646mi
Annual Mileage
591mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
57yrs

The Reliant Scimitar GTE is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include stop lamp not working, windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid and parking brake: efficiency below requirements. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Reliant Scimitar GTE.

Reliant Scimitar GTE Number Plates

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

Reliant Scimitar GTE MOT Pass Rate by Year

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

73.8%
1974
72.2%
1973
80.1%
1972
78.4%
1971
76.5%
1970
82.7%
1969

Reliant Scimitar GTE Problems — What Goes Wrong?

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

Stop lamp not working 52
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 49
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 49
Headlamp not working on main beam 41
Headlamp aim too low 28
Steering rack gaiter split 28
Headlamp aim too high 24
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases 23
Track rod end ball joint has excessive play 23
Direction indicator not working 23

Reliant Scimitar GTE Mileage — What's Normal?

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

Low usage
148 mi/yr
Typical
591 mi/yr
Average
1,429 mi/yr
Heavy usage
1,383 mi/yr

Reliant Scimitar GTE MOT Data by Registration Year

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

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
1974 126 73.8% 15,150 46,958 90,164
1973 90 72.2% 29,926 45,094 92,181
1972 261 80.1% 18,974 48,560 69,850
1971 278 78.4% 12,914 35,140 72,000
1970 115 76.5% 24,228 45,337 75,077
1969 75 82.7% 18,897 39,020 75,619

How Long Does a Reliant Scimitar GTE Last?

Based on 217 Reliant Scimitar GTE vehicles on UK roads.

Average
40.0 years
Median
41.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
57 years

Reliant Scimitar GTE Mileage Distribution

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

Median
42,646 mi
75th Percentile
75,275 mi
95th Percentile
96,390 mi
Max Recorded
122,621 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Reliant Scimitar GTE

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

Best year
1969

82.7% MOT pass rate from 75 tests

Year to avoid
1973

72.2% MOT pass rate from 90 tests

The best year to buy a used Reliant Scimitar GTE is 1969, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 82.7% across 75 tests. The 1973 model year has the lowest pass rate at 72.2% — 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 GTE Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Reliant Scimitar GTE THIS CAR 76.5% 1,155 42,646 mi 57 yrs
Reliant Robin 71% 50,844 43,760 mi 50 yrs
Reliant Rialto 72% 33,460 52,257 mi 44 yrs
Reliant Scimitar 73.5% 31,230 53,975 mi 60 yrs
Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0 Ltd A 72.6% 2,039 74,269 mi 23 yrs

Compared to the Reliant Robin (71.0% pass rate) and the Reliant Rialto (72.0% pass rate), the Reliant Scimitar GTE outperforms both on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Reliant Scimitar GTE?

The Reliant Scimitar GTE has an overall MOT pass rate of 76.5% across 1,155 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 Reliant Scimitar GTE are stop lamp not working (52 recorded failures), windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (49), and parking brake: efficiency below requirements (49). 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 GTE owner drives around 591 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 GTE models stay on UK roads for around 57 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.

Reliant Scimitar GTE — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Reliant Scimitar GTE reliable?
Based on 1,155 MOT tests, the Reliant Scimitar GTE has a 76.5% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Reliant Scimitar GTE?
The most common MOT failures are stop lamp not working, windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid, and parking brake: efficiency below requirements. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Reliant Scimitar GTE do per year?
The typical Reliant Scimitar GTE does around 591 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Reliant Scimitar GTE last?
Most Reliant Scimitar GTE models stay on UK roads for around 57 years based on our analysis of 217 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Reliant Scimitar GTE?
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 Reliant Scimitar GTE?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Reliant Scimitar GTE is 1969 with a 82.7% pass rate across 75 tests.