Riley Lynx Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Riley Lynx car check
Is the Riley Lynx reliable? We analysed 700 real MOT tests across 101 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Riley Lynx? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Riley Lynx is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include axle king pin has excessive play in pin and/or bush adversely affecting the steering, stop lamp not working and headlamp not working on main beam. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Riley Lynx.
Riley Lynx Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Riley Lynx. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Riley Lynx MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Riley Lynx to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Riley Lynx Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Riley Lynx fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Riley Lynx Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Riley Lynx owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Riley Lynx MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Riley Lynx year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1937 | 71 | 95.8% | 14,316 | 28,113 | 61,852 |
| 1936 | 158 | 93.7% | 10,113 | 15,104 | 32,703 |
| 1935 | 80 | 95.0% | 5,835 | 27,792 | 40,714 |
| 1934 | 126 | 92.9% | 15,595 | 41,019 | 53,721 |
| 1933 | 150 | 97.3% | 10,031 | 19,465 | 64,521 |
How Long Does a Riley Lynx Last?
Based on 101 Riley Lynx vehicles on UK roads.
Riley Lynx Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Riley Lynx 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 Riley Lynx
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
97.3% MOT pass rate from 150 tests
92.9% MOT pass rate from 126 tests
The best year to buy a used Riley Lynx is 1933, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 97.3% across 150 tests. The 1934 model year has the lowest pass rate at 92.9% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Riley Lynx Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Riley Lynx THIS CAR | 95.1% | 700 | 22,872 mi | 93 yrs |
| Riley Elf | 76.9% | 5,039 | 51,475 mi | 63 yrs |
| Riley 1.5 | 82% | 2,111 | 52,187 mi | 73 yrs |
| Riley 1.5 Litre | 85.4% | 1,865 | 41,694 mi | 79 yrs |
| Peugeot Partner 850 S HDI 90 | 81.2% | 1,240 | 143,062 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Riley Elf (76.9% pass rate) and the Riley 1.5 (82.0% pass rate), the Riley Lynx outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Riley Lynx 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 Riley LynxShould you buy a used Riley Lynx?
The Riley Lynx has an overall MOT pass rate of 95.1% across 700 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 Riley Lynx are axle king pin has excessive play in pin and/or bush adversely affecting the steering (7 recorded failures), stop lamp not working (5), and headlamp not working on main beam (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 Riley Lynx owner drives around 555 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 Riley Lynx models stay on UK roads for around 93 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.