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RFC 53T

1979 Triumph Spitfire

Yellow Petrol 1493cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires23 Apr 2026
Tests22 (17 pass, 5 fail)
Pass rate77.3%

Mileage

89,651 mi
Last recorded89,651 miles
Recorded on16 Apr 2025
Typical for 1979 Triumph Spitfire60,846 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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

RegistrationRFC 53T
MakeTriumph
ModelSpitfire
Year1979
ColourYellow
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

17 pass 5 fail
Pass 16 Apr 2025 89,651 miles

Nearside Rear Brake pipe clips or supports missing, pipe adequately supported (1.1.11 (d) (i))

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Rear Brake pipe clips or supports missing, pipe adequately supported (1.1.11 (d) (i))

Pass 24 Apr 2024 88,515 miles

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

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

Pass 13 Apr 2023 87,465 miles
Pass 26 Jul 2019 84,538 miles

Both rear brake hoses insecure and not correctly fitted to the mounting brackets

Offside Front Lower Trunnion has slight movement

Fail 17 Jul 2019 84,532 miles

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

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

Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))

Offside Front Lower Suspension component insecure and impairing directional stability Trunnion mounting nut and bolt loose (5.3.3 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Both rear brake hoses insecure and not correctly fitted to the mounting brackets

Pass 25 Jul 2018 84,084 miles

Offside slight play in rack extension

Nearside slight play in rack extension

Pass 17 Jul 2017 84,081 miles
Pass 5 Jul 2016 84,081 miles

some lift in offside lower swivel joint

some play in steering rack ta offside

Fail 30 Jun 2016 84,081 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (7.3.B.1a)

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

Nearside Passenger's seat insecure (6.2.A.1)

Offside Front Brake pipe fouled by moving parts (3.6.B.2a)

Offside Front Brake pipe inadequately clipped (3.6.B.1)

Offside Track rod end loose (2.2.B.1d)

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

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 2 (3.7.B.5b)

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

Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel (steering rack fitted) (2.2.A.1b)

some lift in offside lower swivel joint

some play in steering rack ta offside

Pass 5 Jun 2015 84,081 miles

Nearside Upper Front suspension ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

slight play in offside front lower trunion joint

Pass 15 May 2014 82,907 miles
Fail 15 May 2014 82,907 miles

Battery insecure (1.9.1)

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

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

Pass 10 May 2013 82,520 miles

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Fail 10 May 2013 82,520 miles

Battery insecure (1.9.1)

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (7.3.B.1a)

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Pass 26 Apr 2012 81,456 miles
Fail 20 Apr 2011 80,111 miles

Centre Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated (7.1.1a)

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (7.3.B.1a)

Offside Front Brake hose twisted (found during steering lock to lock check) (2.2.D.2b)

Pass 20 Apr 2011 80,111 miles

Centre Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated (7.1.1a)

Pass 14 May 2010 79,272 miles
Pass 11 May 2009 78,186 miles

Nearside Steering rack gaiter deteriorated (2.2.D.2d)

Offside Steering rack gaiter deteriorated (2.2.D.2d)

Pass 2 May 2008 77,605 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Pass 18 Apr 2007 75,957 miles

Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

Pass 12 May 2006 74,306 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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RFC 53T is a 1979 Triumph Spitfire in Yellow with a 1,493cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 22 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 77.3%.

Across all 1979 Triumph Spitfire models, the average MOT pass rate is 70.2% with a typical mileage of 60,846 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 RFC 53T, 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 47 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 RFC 53T?

You can check the full history of RFC 53T by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was RFC 53T registered?

RFC 53T is a 1979 Triumph Spitfire, first registered on 9 January 1979.

Is RFC 53T safe to buy?

The MOT history for RFC 53T shows 22 tests with a 77.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does RFC 53T 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 RFC 53T. 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.