Sunbeam Rapier Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Sunbeam Rapier car check
Is the Sunbeam Rapier reliable? We analysed 3,083 real MOT tests across 406 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Sunbeam Rapier? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Sunbeam Rapier is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include brake binding, suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded and suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Sunbeam Rapier.
Sunbeam Rapier Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Sunbeam Rapier. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Sunbeam Rapier MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Sunbeam Rapier to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Sunbeam Rapier Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Sunbeam Rapier fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Sunbeam Rapier Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Sunbeam Rapier owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Sunbeam Rapier MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Sunbeam Rapier year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | 61 | 63.9% | 30,325 | 38,863 | 93,229 |
| 1973 | 121 | 70.2% | 32,348 | 44,780 | 59,725 |
| 1972 | 102 | 84.3% | 33,720 | 69,200 | 90,688 |
| 1971 | 200 | 77.5% | 30,633 | 68,841 | 87,937 |
| 1970 | 102 | 74.5% | 5,505 | 53,312 | 85,926 |
| 1969 | 51 | 82.4% | 285 | 24,631 | 35,344 |
| 1968 | 133 | 78.2% | 44,692 | 57,313 | 81,027 |
| 1967 | 110 | 87.3% | 30,404 | 48,403 | 81,754 |
| 1966 | 280 | 85.7% | 27,825 | 49,330 | 78,878 |
| 1965 | 194 | 82.0% | 27,262 | 42,651 | 62,198 |
| 1964 | 256 | 82.4% | 50,948 | 61,180 | 80,227 |
| 1963 | 221 | 88.2% | 33,593 | 58,039 | 82,117 |
| 1962 | 424 | 82.8% | 34,766 | 56,680 | 70,278 |
| 1961 | 232 | 84.5% | 9,135 | 46,672 | 61,934 |
| 1960 | 234 | 80.8% | 33,519 | 48,684 | 78,466 |
| 1959 | 59 | 88.1% | 32,249 | 49,887 | 61,223 |
| 1958 | 61 | 80.3% | 39,362 | 64,156 | 77,641 |
How Long Does a Sunbeam Rapier Last?
Based on 406 Sunbeam Rapier vehicles on UK roads.
Sunbeam Rapier Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Sunbeam Rapier 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 Rapier
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
88.2% MOT pass rate from 221 tests
63.9% MOT pass rate from 61 tests
The best year to buy a used Sunbeam Rapier is 1963, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 88.2% across 221 tests. The 1974 model year has the lowest pass rate at 63.9% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Sunbeam Rapier Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunbeam Rapier THIS CAR | 81.5% | 3,083 | 52,906 mi | 68 yrs |
| Sunbeam Alpine | 79.7% | 10,414 | 46,018 mi | 72 yrs |
| Sunbeam Tiger | 86.8% | 3,243 | 32,486 mi | 61 yrs |
| Sunbeam S8 | 92.3% | 1,268 | 7,722 mi | 77 yrs |
| Volvo XC60 Inscrp Pro T8RECHRG AWD A | 87.5% | 2,495 | 31,012 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Sunbeam Alpine (79.7% pass rate) and the Sunbeam Tiger (86.8% pass rate), the Sunbeam Rapier sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.
Found a Sunbeam Rapier 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 RapierShould you buy a used Sunbeam Rapier?
The Sunbeam Rapier has an overall MOT pass rate of 81.5% across 3,083 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 Rapier are brake binding (116 recorded failures), suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (97), and suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (82). 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 Rapier owner drives around 339 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 Rapier models stay on UK roads for around 68 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.