CarVerify

Scott Flying Squirrel Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Scott Flying Squirrel car check

Is the Scott Flying Squirrel reliable? We analysed 427 real MOT tests across 118 vehicles to find out.

Got a specific Scott Flying Squirrel? Enter the reg for a free check:

Free basic check Reports from £4.99 Results in seconds
Data last updated: · Based on 427 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
95.1%
Typical Mileage
7,516mi
Annual Mileage
119mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
98yrs

The Scott Flying Squirrel is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include roller brake test the less effective brake control does not achieve an efficiency of 25%., steering headbearing has excessive free play and wheel bearings have excessive free play. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Scott Flying Squirrel.

Scott Flying Squirrel Number Plates

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

Scott Flying Squirrel MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Scott Flying Squirrel to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

92.5%
1929
96.7%
1928

Scott Flying Squirrel Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Scott Flying Squirrel fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Roller brake test The less effective brake control does not achieve an efficiency of 25%. 2
Steering headbearing has excessive free play 1
wheel bearings have excessive free play 1
Floor brake test No brake control achieves an efficiency of 30%. 1
shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil 1
Drive chain excessively loose 1
Floor brake test Neither brake control achieves an efficiency of 25% 1
Brake lever has inadequate reserve travel 1
Tyre has ply or cord exposed 1
Horn not working 1

Scott Flying Squirrel Mileage — What's Normal?

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

Low usage
34 mi/yr
Typical
119 mi/yr
Average
611 mi/yr
Heavy usage
301 mi/yr

Scott Flying Squirrel MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Scott Flying Squirrel year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
1929 53 92.5% 233 5,938 7,354
1928 61 96.7% 2,312 18,698 29,236

How Long Does a Scott Flying Squirrel Last?

Based on 118 Scott Flying Squirrel vehicles on UK roads.

Average
55.6 years
Median
65.5 years
Estimated max lifespan
98 years

Scott Flying Squirrel Mileage Distribution

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

Median
7,516 mi
75th Percentile
16,055 mi
95th Percentile
39,985 mi
Max Recorded
56,566 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Scott Flying Squirrel

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

Best year
1928

96.7% MOT pass rate from 61 tests

Year to avoid
1929

92.5% MOT pass rate from 53 tests

The best year to buy a used Scott Flying Squirrel is 1928, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 96.7% across 61 tests. The 1929 model year has the lowest pass rate at 92.5% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Scott Flying Squirrel Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Scott Flying Squirrel THIS CAR 95.1% 427 7,516 mi 98 yrs
Triumph T21 93.4% 575 10,166 mi 68 yrs
BMW 330D SE 71.6% 500 140,432 mi — yrs
Ford Tourneo Custom 320 Sport Eblue 89.8% 728 32,008 mi — yrs
Laverda 1200 90.2% 532 32,999 mi 48 yrs

Compared to the Triumph T21 (93.4% pass rate) and the BMW 330D SE (71.6% pass rate), the Scott Flying Squirrel outperforms both on MOT reliability.

Found a Scott Flying Squirrel 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 Scott Flying Squirrel

Should you buy a used Scott Flying Squirrel?

The Scott Flying Squirrel has an overall MOT pass rate of 95.1% across 427 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 Scott Flying Squirrel are roller brake test the less effective brake control does not achieve an efficiency of 25%. (2 recorded failures), steering headbearing has excessive free play (1), and wheel bearings have excessive free play (1). 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 Scott Flying Squirrel owner drives around 119 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 Scott Flying Squirrel models stay on UK roads for around 98 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.

Scott Flying Squirrel — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Scott Flying Squirrel reliable?
Based on 427 MOT tests, the Scott Flying Squirrel has a 95.1% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Scott Flying Squirrel?
The most common MOT failures are roller brake test the less effective brake control does not achieve an efficiency of 25%., steering headbearing has excessive free play, and wheel bearings have excessive free play. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Scott Flying Squirrel do per year?
The typical Scott Flying Squirrel does around 119 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Scott Flying Squirrel last?
Most Scott Flying Squirrel models stay on UK roads for around 98 years based on our analysis of 118 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Scott Flying Squirrel?
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 Scott Flying Squirrel?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Scott Flying Squirrel is 1928 with a 96.7% pass rate across 61 tests.