Sunbeam Alpine Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Sunbeam Alpine car check
Is the Sunbeam Alpine reliable? We analysed 10,414 real MOT tests across 1,264 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Sunbeam Alpine? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Sunbeam Alpine is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid, brake binding and parking brake: efficiency below requirements. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Sunbeam Alpine.
Sunbeam Alpine Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Sunbeam Alpine. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Sunbeam Alpine MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Sunbeam Alpine to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Sunbeam Alpine Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Sunbeam Alpine fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Sunbeam Alpine Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Sunbeam Alpine owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Sunbeam Alpine MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Sunbeam Alpine year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 61 | 82.0% | 20,831 | 32,811 | 63,718 |
| 1997 | 53 | 90.6% | 7,818 | 10,831 | 92,523 |
| 1995 | 63 | 79.4% | 37,950 | 49,314 | 66,078 |
| 1991 | 57 | 93.0% | 14,405 | 49,836 | 98,932 |
| 1990 | 127 | 78.0% | 22,010 | 62,357 | 73,440 |
| 1988 | 55 | 78.2% | 38,089 | 70,908 | 87,410 |
| 1986 | 60 | 80.0% | 56,460 | 85,154 | 88,597 |
| 1973 | 56 | 78.6% | 18,466 | 42,520 | 54,765 |
| 1971 | 74 | 77.0% | 12,390 | 30,440 | 34,651 |
| 1968 | 1,065 | 79.4% | 15,528 | 45,717 | 71,345 |
| 1967 | 2,399 | 79.0% | 19,742 | 44,281 | 72,444 |
| 1966 | 1,429 | 78.7% | 18,757 | 41,370 | 72,570 |
| 1965 | 804 | 80.2% | 24,715 | 58,348 | 85,564 |
| 1964 | 1,380 | 79.3% | 20,273 | 47,362 | 75,638 |
| 1963 | 712 | 79.6% | 15,253 | 44,937 | 73,785 |
| 1962 | 324 | 77.2% | 13,644 | 52,188 | 67,134 |
| 1961 | 228 | 78.1% | 22,184 | 55,260 | 73,880 |
| 1960 | 152 | 84.2% | 20,969 | 36,416 | 73,759 |
| 1959 | 55 | 80.0% | 14,309 | 42,532 | 64,166 |
| 1955 | 63 | 77.8% | 28,203 | 65,517 | 70,477 |
How Long Does a Sunbeam Alpine Last?
Based on 1,264 Sunbeam Alpine vehicles on UK roads.
Sunbeam Alpine Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Sunbeam Alpine 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 Sunbeam Alpine
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
93.0% MOT pass rate from 57 tests
77.0% MOT pass rate from 74 tests
The best year to buy a used Sunbeam Alpine is 1991, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 93.0% across 57 tests. The 1971 model year has the lowest pass rate at 77.0% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Sunbeam Alpine Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunbeam Alpine THIS CAR | 79.7% | 10,414 | 46,018 mi | 72 yrs |
| Sunbeam Tiger | 86.8% | 3,243 | 32,486 mi | 61 yrs |
| Sunbeam Rapier | 81.5% | 3,083 | 52,906 mi | 68 yrs |
| Sunbeam S8 | 92.3% | 1,268 | 7,722 mi | 77 yrs |
| Proton 1.5 Gls | 69% | 7,164 | 73,966 mi | 37 yrs |
Compared to the Sunbeam Tiger (86.8% pass rate) and the Sunbeam Rapier (81.5% pass rate), the Sunbeam Alpine trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Sunbeam Alpine 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 Sunbeam AlpineShould you buy a used Sunbeam Alpine?
The Sunbeam Alpine has an overall MOT pass rate of 79.7% across 10,414 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 Sunbeam Alpine are windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (303 recorded failures), brake binding (297), and parking brake: efficiency below requirements (269). 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 Sunbeam Alpine owner drives around 298 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 Sunbeam Alpine models stay on UK roads for around 72 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.