CarVerify

Free Car Check

DWR 278W

1981 Reliant Scimitar

Blue Petrol 2792cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires11 Jul 2026
Tests17 (12 pass, 5 fail)
Pass rate70.6%

Mileage

70,454 mi
Last recorded70,454 miles
Recorded on5 Jul 2025
Typical for 1981 Reliant Scimitar50,912 mi

Above average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Reliant
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
Unlock full report — £4.99
Instant £30k guarantee
or single check £9.99

Not all car check providers offer a guarantee. Don't risk buying from services that can't back their data. CarVerify reports include a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

Vehicle Details

RegistrationDWR 278W
MakeReliant
ModelScimitar
Year1981
ColourBlue
Fuel typePetrol
Engine2,792cc
View full Reliant Scimitar reliability data

All premium checks include

50+ data points
Finance Check (Experian) Insurance Write-off Salvage Auction Stolen Check Previous Owners Ex-Taxi, Police, NHS Mileage Anomaly Import / Export Scrapped Check Plate Changes

MOT History

12 pass 5 fail
Pass 5 Jul 2025 70,454 miles

Coolant leak from around thermostat area ()

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive gearbox oil cooler pipe work leaking (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Fail 1 Jul 2025 70,447 miles

Brake pipe excessively damaged front to rear brake pipe section (1.1.11 (c))

Coolant leak from around thermostat area ()

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive gearbox oil cooler pipe work leaking (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Pass 12 Jul 2024 68,909 miles
Pass 4 Apr 2023 66,124 miles
Pass 30 Jun 2022 66,079 miles

Coolant leak ()

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Fail 26 May 2022 66,076 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn inner bush deteriorated broken up (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))

Offside Rear Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Steering column universal joint has excessive wear or play bottom joint (2.2.2 (c))

Steering linkage fouling steering column joint rubbing on engine air filter box (2.1.4 (a))

Nearside Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases small blow on joint centre pipe (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front Fluid leak, but not excessive coolant leak (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement inner bushes deteriorated (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Oil leak, but not excessive engine oil leakig from feul pump mounting (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated leaking grease and small free play on ball joint (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement inner bushes deteriorated (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated leaking grease (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement inner bushes deteriorated (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Steering column top bearing slightly worn (2.2.2 (b))

Pass 5 Jul 2019 65,790 miles

Nearside Exhaust mounting defective (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Exhaust mounting defective (6.1.2 (a))

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Fail 4 Jul 2019 65,790 miles

Stop lamp(s) all not working (4.3.1 (a) (iii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Exhaust mounting defective (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Exhaust mounting defective (6.1.2 (a))

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Pass 13 Jul 2018 65,718 miles
Fail 13 Jul 2018 65,718 miles

Stop lamp(s) all not working (4.3.1 (a) (iii))

Pass 20 Dec 2012 65,690 miles
Fail 8 Nov 2011 65,656 miles

Nearside Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

Nearside Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.C.1d)

Offside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

screen washer bottle leaking

Pass 8 Nov 2011 65,656 miles

Nearside Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

screen washer bottle leaking

Pass 7 Jun 2010 65,128 miles
Pass 26 Sep 2008 65,018 miles
Pass 17 Oct 2007 64,915 miles
Pass 10 Aug 2006 61,608 miles

How Reliable is the Reliant Scimitar?

Based on 31,230 MOT tests across 3,606 vehicles.

73.5%
Pass Rate
598
Miles/Year
60
Year Lifespan
3,606
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 1,074
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 1,049
Stop lamp not working 851
Steering rack gaiter split 800
parking brake recording little or no effort 710
Full Reliant Scimitar reliability report

Don't risk it. Know before you buy.

Not all vehicle check providers are the same. Some don't offer a data guarantee, which means if their information is wrong, you're on your own. Every CarVerify report is backed by a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

DWR 278W is a 1981 Reliant Scimitar in Blue with a 2,792cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 17 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 70.6%.

Across all 1981 Reliant Scimitar models, the average MOT pass rate is 72.9% with a typical mileage of 50,912 miles. This particular vehicle has a lower pass rate than the average for its year, which may indicate maintenance issues worth investigating.

The most common reason a Reliant Scimitar fails its MOT is parking brake: efficiency below requirements, accounting for 1,074 recorded failures. If you're considering buying DWR 278W, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Reliant Scimitar typically stays on UK roads for around 60 years. At 45 years old, this Reliant Scimitar is well into its expected lifespan but still has years ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of DWR 278W?

You can check the full history of DWR 278W by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was DWR 278W registered?

DWR 278W is a 1981 Reliant Scimitar, first registered on 1 June 1981.

Is DWR 278W safe to buy?

The MOT history for DWR 278W shows 17 tests with a 70.6% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does DWR 278W have outstanding finance?

Finance checks require a premium vehicle report. This checks against all major UK finance providers to see if there is any outstanding finance on DWR 278W. If you buy a car with outstanding finance, the finance company can repossess it.

No warranty or guarantee of accuracy is provided for any free data on this page. The data guarantee applies only to information obtained through the purchase of a full check.