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VDU 38X

1981 Triumph Spitfire

Yellow Petrol 1493cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires8 Oct 2026
Tests23 (18 pass, 5 fail)
Pass rate78.3%

Mileage

69,856 mi
Last recorded69,856 miles
Recorded on9 Oct 2025
Typical for 1981 Triumph Spitfire60,380 mi

Above average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationVDU 38X
MakeTriumph
ModelSpitfire
Year1981
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

18 pass 5 fail
Pass 9 Oct 2025 69,856 miles
Fail 2 Oct 2025 69,848 miles

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

Offside Rear Service brake excessively fluctuating (1.2.1 (e))

Windscreen wiper not working (3.4 (a))

Pass 24 Jul 2024 69,417 miles

All tyres date stamped 2005

Front Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Both (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Front Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Both (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

Pass 20 Jul 2023 68,847 miles
Pass 19 Aug 2022 68,570 miles
Fail 3 Aug 2022 68,561 miles

Driver's door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle (6.2.3 (a))

Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Pass 27 Jul 2021 68,335 miles
Pass 6 Aug 2020 67,931 miles
Pass 15 Jul 2019 67,880 miles
Pass 30 Jul 2018 67,711 miles

Front OIL LEAK

Rear OIL LEAK

Pass 24 Jul 2017 67,591 miles

Front Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Front Oil leak ()

Nearside Front wearing slightly on outer edge

Offside Front brake binding slightly

Rear Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.5b)

Rear Oil leak ()

slight movement on steeringrack mountings

Fail 28 Jun 2017 67,575 miles

Nearside Front Lower Steering pivot point has excessive play TRUNION (2.2.B.1g)

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

Offside Front Lower Steering pivot point has excessive play TRUNION (2.2.B.1g)

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

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

rear brake application uneven (3.7.B.2)

rear brakes release unevenly (3.7.B.4)

SLIGHT PLAY TO BOTH FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS

SLIGHT PLAY TO BOTH STEERING RACK MOUNTS

Pass 23 Feb 2016 67,276 miles

SLIGHT PLAY TO BOTH STEERING RACK MOUNTS

Pass 6 Sep 2013 67,226 miles
Pass 1 Aug 2012 67,164 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

rear differential leaking oil

Fail 31 Jul 2012 67,160 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect (1.8.A.1b)

Nearside rear brake binding (3.7.B.1)

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

Offside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect (1.8.A.1b)

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

rear differential leaking oil

Pass 11 Oct 2011 67,046 miles

Oil leak

Fail 11 Oct 2011 67,046 miles

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Offside Rear position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Oil leak

Pass 25 Jun 2010 66,854 miles
Pass 25 Jun 2009 66,538 miles
Pass 3 May 2008 66,029 miles
Pass 2 Apr 2007 65,511 miles
Pass 18 Mar 2006 64,862 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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VDU 38X is a 1981 Triumph Spitfire in Yellow with a 1,493cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 23 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 78.3%.

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 VDU 38X, 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 VDU 38X?

You can check the full history of VDU 38X by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was VDU 38X registered?

VDU 38X is a 1981 Triumph Spitfire, first registered on 24 August 1981.

Is VDU 38X safe to buy?

The MOT history for VDU 38X shows 23 tests with a 78.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does VDU 38X 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 VDU 38X. 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.