Sunbeam Tiger Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Sunbeam Tiger car check
Is the Sunbeam Tiger reliable? We analysed 3,243 real MOT tests across 335 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Sunbeam Tiger? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Sunbeam Tiger is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid, stop lamp not working and brake binding. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Sunbeam Tiger.
Sunbeam Tiger Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Sunbeam Tiger. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Sunbeam Tiger MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Sunbeam Tiger to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Sunbeam Tiger Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Sunbeam Tiger fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Sunbeam Tiger Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Sunbeam Tiger owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Sunbeam Tiger MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Sunbeam Tiger year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1967 | 420 | 88.3% | 13,642 | 42,220 | 77,374 |
| 1966 | 696 | 87.5% | 10,705 | 35,046 | 61,526 |
| 1965 | 1,312 | 85.5% | 11,083 | 28,614 | 69,946 |
How Long Does a Sunbeam Tiger Last?
Based on 335 Sunbeam Tiger vehicles on UK roads.
Sunbeam Tiger Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Sunbeam Tiger 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 Tiger
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
88.3% MOT pass rate from 420 tests
85.5% MOT pass rate from 1,312 tests
The best year to buy a used Sunbeam Tiger is 1967, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 88.3% across 420 tests. The 1965 model year has the lowest pass rate at 85.5% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Sunbeam Tiger Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunbeam Tiger THIS CAR | 86.8% | 3,243 | 32,486 mi | 61 yrs |
| Sunbeam Alpine | 79.7% | 10,414 | 46,018 mi | 72 yrs |
| Sunbeam Rapier | 81.5% | 3,083 | 52,906 mi | 68 yrs |
| Sunbeam S8 | 92.3% | 1,268 | 7,722 mi | 77 yrs |
| Mbk Mach G | 73.4% | 2,710 | 6,843 mi | 24 yrs |
Compared to the Sunbeam Alpine (79.7% pass rate) and the Sunbeam Rapier (81.5% pass rate), the Sunbeam Tiger outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Sunbeam Tiger 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 TigerShould you buy a used Sunbeam Tiger?
The Sunbeam Tiger has an overall MOT pass rate of 86.8% across 3,243 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 Tiger are windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (63 recorded failures), stop lamp not working (39), and brake binding (26). 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 Tiger owner drives around 450 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 Tiger models stay on UK roads for around 61 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.