Vincent Black Shadow Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Vincent Black Shadow car check
Is the Vincent Black Shadow reliable? We analysed 773 real MOT tests across 174 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Vincent Black Shadow? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Vincent Black Shadow is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include position lamp does not illuminate immediately when it is switched on, handlebar handgrip not secure to handlebars. and headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Vincent Black Shadow.
Vincent Black Shadow Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Vincent Black Shadow. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Vincent Black Shadow MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Vincent Black Shadow to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Vincent Black Shadow Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Vincent Black Shadow fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Vincent Black Shadow Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Vincent Black Shadow owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Vincent Black Shadow MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Vincent Black Shadow year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1955 | 66 | 92.4% | 4,871 | 15,787 | 30,364 |
| 1954 | 64 | 92.2% | 3,893 | 8,268 | 15,194 |
| 1953 | 52 | 100.0% | 11,662 | 14,551 | 18,656 |
| 1952 | 115 | 92.2% | 4,823 | 10,360 | 32,313 |
| 1951 | 140 | 94.3% | 8,283 | 41,590 | 59,882 |
| 1950 | 84 | 95.2% | 4,469 | 10,802 | 15,514 |
How Long Does a Vincent Black Shadow Last?
Based on 174 Vincent Black Shadow vehicles on UK roads.
Vincent Black Shadow Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Vincent Black Shadow 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 Vincent Black Shadow
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
100.0% MOT pass rate from 52 tests
92.2% MOT pass rate from 115 tests
The best year to buy a used Vincent Black Shadow is 1953, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 100.0% across 52 tests. The 1952 model year has the lowest pass rate at 92.2% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Vincent Black Shadow Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vincent Black Shadow THIS CAR | 94.2% | 773 | 13,284 mi | 76 yrs |
| Vincent Comet | 92.7% | 1,663 | 8,144 mi | 76 yrs |
| Vincent Rapide | 95% | 1,545 | 12,490 mi | 79 yrs |
| Renault Kadjar Dynamique Nav DCI A | 93.6% | 345 | 53,023 mi | — yrs |
| Proton Persona Compact Gli | 64.6% | 1,110 | 71,212 mi | 31 yrs |
Compared to the Vincent Comet (92.7% pass rate) and the Vincent Rapide (95.0% pass rate), the Vincent Black Shadow sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.
Found a Vincent Black Shadow you like?
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Check a specific Vincent Black ShadowShould you buy a used Vincent Black Shadow?
The Vincent Black Shadow has an overall MOT pass rate of 94.2% across 773 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 Vincent Black Shadow are position lamp does not illuminate immediately when it is switched on (3 recorded failures), handlebar handgrip not secure to handlebars. (2), and headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam (2). 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 Vincent Black Shadow owner drives around 354 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 Vincent Black Shadow models stay on UK roads for around 76 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.