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VAR 554W

1981 Triumph Dolomite

Red Petrol 1493cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires15 Oct 2026
Tests22 (16 pass, 6 fail)
Pass rate72.7%

Mileage

93,674 mi
Last recorded93,674 miles
Recorded on4 Oct 2025
Typical for 1981 Triumph Dolomite52,986 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

RegistrationVAR 554W
MakeTriumph
ModelDolomite
Year1981
ColourRed
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

16 pass 6 fail
Pass 4 Oct 2025 93,674 miles
Fail 25 Sep 2025 93,670 miles

Nearside Front Upper Suspension component ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

Offside Steering rack gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Rear Prop shaft joint excessively worn (6.1.7 (c) (i))

barking brake only just meet requirement's

Pass 4 Oct 2024 91,140 miles
Pass 12 Oct 2023 89,207 miles

Nearside Outer Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Outer Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside boot floor corroded

Pass 23 Sep 2022 87,043 miles

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

Pass 13 Oct 2021 83,773 miles

Nearside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive from auto box (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Pass 21 Sep 2020 82,583 miles

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Pass 16 Oct 2019 80,482 miles
Fail 16 Oct 2019 80,482 miles

Offside Rear Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Pass 31 Jan 2019 78,212 miles

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Nearside Steering linkage ball joint ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Offside Rear Oil leak, but not excessive hub (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Pass 28 Feb 2018 75,696 miles
Pass 27 Sep 2012 74,547 miles

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Rear Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

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

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

boot floor + rear inner wheel arches corroded

n/s front wing corroded at bottom

Fail 27 Sep 2012 74,547 miles

Offside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Rear Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

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

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

boot floor + rear inner wheel arches corroded

n/s front wing corroded at bottom

Pass 19 Sep 2011 72,114 miles

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Nearside Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.A.1)

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Offside Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.A.1)

Oil leak

n/s steering rack joint has slight play

oil pressure switch not connected

Fail 13 Sep 2011 72,114 miles

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

Nearside Rear rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a)

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Nearside Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.A.1)

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Offside Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.A.1)

Oil leak

n/s steering rack joint has slight play

oil pressure switch not connected

Pass 27 Sep 2010 70,509 miles

chip in screen

o/s outer sill corroded

o/s/r drum damp

Pass 5 Oct 2009 68,447 miles
Fail 28 Sep 2009 68,447 miles

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

Exhaust engine idle speed too high (7.3.A.2a)

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

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

Offside Front Upper Front suspension has excessive movement at a suspension ball joint (2.5.A.1c)

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Offside Rear wheel cylinder leaking (3.6.A.1)

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Steering column top bearing excessively worn (2.1.2c)

Steering rack insecure (2.2.B.1a)

Both front, outer sills corroded

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

O/S/F hub seal leaking

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Pass 29 Sep 2008 65,998 miles
Fail 24 Sep 2008 65,998 miles

Nearside Front Body insecure and dangerous to other road users (6.1.B.1b)

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

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

Pass 3 Jul 2007 64,880 miles
Pass 10 Jul 2006 63,390 miles

How Reliable is the Triumph Dolomite?

Based on 17,210 MOT tests across 2,188 vehicles.

72.4%
Pass Rate
575
Miles/Year
54
Year Lifespan
2,188
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded 855
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 681
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive 669
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 625
brake binding 589
Full Triumph Dolomite reliability report

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VAR 554W is a 1981 Triumph Dolomite in Red with a 1,493cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 22 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 72.7%.

Across all 1981 Triumph Dolomite models, the average MOT pass rate is 68.6% with a typical mileage of 52,986 miles. This particular vehicle has performed better than the average for its year.

The most common reason a Triumph Dolomite fails its MOT is suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded, accounting for 855 recorded failures. If you're considering buying VAR 554W, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Triumph Dolomite typically stays on UK roads for around 54 years. At 45 years old, this Triumph Dolomite is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of VAR 554W?

You can check the full history of VAR 554W by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was VAR 554W registered?

VAR 554W is a 1981 Triumph Dolomite, first registered on 31 July 1981.

Is VAR 554W safe to buy?

The MOT history for VAR 554W shows 22 tests with a 72.7% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does VAR 554W 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 VAR 554W. 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.