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Reliant Scimitar GTE Auto Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Reliant Scimitar GTE Auto car check

Is the Reliant Scimitar GTE Auto reliable? We analysed 549 real MOT tests across 135 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 549 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
73.0%
Typical Mileage
41,207mi
Annual Mileage
319mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
50yrs

The Reliant Scimitar GTE Auto is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid, stop lamp not working and windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Reliant Scimitar GTE Auto.

Reliant Scimitar GTE Auto Number Plates

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

Reliant Scimitar GTE Auto MOT Pass Rate by Year

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

76.7%
1979
71.2%
1978
69.6%
1977
77.9%
1976

Reliant Scimitar GTE Auto Problems — What Goes Wrong?

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 31
Stop lamp not working 22
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 20
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases 19
Direction indicator not working 18
brake binding 18
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 17
Steering rack gaiter split 16
Headlamp not working on main beam 13
Exhaust mounting missing 12

Reliant Scimitar GTE Auto Mileage — What's Normal?

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

Low usage
78 mi/yr
Typical
319 mi/yr
Average
1,291 mi/yr
Heavy usage
1,308 mi/yr

Reliant Scimitar GTE Auto MOT Data by Registration Year

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

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
1979 90 76.7% 16,386 40,467 56,930
1978 59 71.2% 37,029 53,989 71,555
1977 115 69.6% 20,525 41,094 66,056
1976 86 77.9% 12,793 33,778 74,405

How Long Does a Reliant Scimitar GTE Auto Last?

Based on 135 Reliant Scimitar GTE Auto vehicles on UK roads.

Average
34.1 years
Median
33.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
50 years

Reliant Scimitar GTE Auto Mileage Distribution

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

Median
41,207 mi
75th Percentile
71,558 mi
95th Percentile
93,893 mi
Max Recorded
100,728 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Reliant Scimitar GTE Auto

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

Best year
1976

77.9% MOT pass rate from 86 tests

Year to avoid
1977

69.6% MOT pass rate from 115 tests

The best year to buy a used Reliant Scimitar GTE Auto is 1976, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 77.9% across 86 tests. The 1977 model year has the lowest pass rate at 69.6% — 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 Auto 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 Auto THIS CAR 73.0% 549 41,207 mi 50 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
Renault Clio Campus 77% 958 78,540 mi — yrs

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

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Should you buy a used Reliant Scimitar GTE Auto?

The Reliant Scimitar GTE Auto has an overall MOT pass rate of 73.0% across 549 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.

The most common problems on the Reliant Scimitar GTE Auto are windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (31 recorded failures), stop lamp not working (22), and windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (20). 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 Auto owner drives around 319 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 Auto models stay on UK roads for around 50 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 Auto — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Reliant Scimitar GTE Auto reliable?
Based on 549 MOT tests, the Reliant Scimitar GTE Auto has a 73.0% pass rate — about average for UK cars.
What are the common problems on a Reliant Scimitar GTE Auto?
The most common MOT failures are windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid, stop lamp not working, and windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Reliant Scimitar GTE Auto do per year?
The typical Reliant Scimitar GTE Auto does around 319 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Reliant Scimitar GTE Auto last?
Most Reliant Scimitar GTE Auto models stay on UK roads for around 50 years based on our analysis of 135 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Reliant Scimitar GTE Auto?
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 Auto?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Reliant Scimitar GTE Auto is 1976 with a 77.9% pass rate across 86 tests.