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FAE 21W

1981 Triumph Spitfire

Green Petrol 1493cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires30 Oct 2026
Tests29 (21 pass, 8 fail)
Pass rate72.4%

Mileage

57,146 mi
Last recorded57,146 miles
Recorded on31 Oct 2025
Typical for 1981 Triumph Spitfire60,380 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Triumph
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationFAE 21W
MakeTriumph
ModelSpitfire
Year1981
ColourGreen
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,493cc

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

21 pass 8 fail
Pass 31 Oct 2025 57,146 miles

Coolant leak ()

Fail 23 Oct 2025 57,146 miles

Exhaust carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 2 (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Coolant leak ()

Pass 17 Oct 2024 55,913 miles
Fail 17 Oct 2024 55,913 miles

Offside Rear Stop lamp(s) adversely affected by the operation of another lamp position lamp (4.3.3 (b))

Pass 20 Oct 2023 55,366 miles
Pass 20 Oct 2022 55,008 miles
Pass 18 Oct 2021 54,700 miles
Pass 19 Oct 2020 54,410 miles
Pass 23 Oct 2019 54,269 miles
Fail 19 Oct 2019 54,269 miles

Nearside Rear Hydraulic brake cylinder leaking hydraulic fluid (1.1.16 (b) (i))

Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 2 (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Pass 18 Oct 2018 53,878 miles
Pass 20 Oct 2017 53,307 miles
Pass 19 Oct 2016 51,789 miles
Pass 17 Oct 2015 50,528 miles
Pass 20 Oct 2014 49,551 miles
Pass 19 Oct 2013 48,805 miles

Front Lower Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1b)

Fail 19 Oct 2013

Brakes imbalanced across an axle (3.7.B.5b)

Offside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.5a)

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

Front Lower Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1b)

Pass 20 Oct 2012 47,170 miles

Offside Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Pass 20 Oct 2011 45,717 miles
Fail 19 Oct 2011

Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)

Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Pass 18 Oct 2010 44,580 miles

Nearside Front Drag link end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Fail 18 Oct 2010 44,580 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar attachment bracket/mounting fractured (2.4.G.1)

Nearside Front Drag link end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Pass 20 Oct 2009 44,046 miles

Front Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1b)

Fail 19 Oct 2009 44,046 miles

Front Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

Front Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1b)

Pass 16 Oct 2008 42,660 miles

Battery insecure

Front Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1b)

Pass 12 Oct 2007 41,286 miles

Nearside Front Steering column shaft has slight end float (2.1.3)

Offside Lower Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Fail 11 Oct 2007 41,286 miles

Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive (7.3.B.1b)

Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

Offside Rear Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

Rear Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Nearside Front Steering column shaft has slight end float (2.1.3)

Offside Lower Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Pass 14 Oct 2006 38,407 miles

Nearside Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1b)

Pass 15 Oct 2005 36,188 miles

How Reliable is the Triumph Spitfire?

Based on 69,541 MOT tests across 8,423 vehicles.

72.5%
Pass Rate
302
Miles/Year
63
Year Lifespan
8,423
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 4,320
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded 2,718
brake binding 2,431
Stop lamp not working 2,126
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 1,894
Full Triumph Spitfire reliability report

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FAE 21W is a 1981 Triumph Spitfire in Green with a 1,493cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 29 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 72.4%.

Across all 1981 Triumph Spitfire models, the average MOT pass rate is 72.1% with a typical mileage of 60,380 miles. This particular vehicle has performed better than the average for its year.

The most common reason a Triumph Spitfire fails its MOT is parking brake: efficiency below requirements, accounting for 4,320 recorded failures. If you're considering buying FAE 21W, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Triumph Spitfire typically stays on UK roads for around 63 years. At 45 years old, this Triumph Spitfire is well into its expected lifespan but still has years ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of FAE 21W?

You can check the full history of FAE 21W by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was FAE 21W registered?

FAE 21W is a 1981 Triumph Spitfire, first registered on 2 March 1981.

Is FAE 21W safe to buy?

The MOT history for FAE 21W shows 29 tests with a 72.4% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does FAE 21W 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 FAE 21W. 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.