MOT test - What do our cars fail On?

Over the years I have heard many slurs and derogatory remarks about the quality of Marinas and Itals, being unreliable rust traps.  The truth is that the car will only ever be as good as the owners’ drive to maintain their vehicle, or probably more accurately how much they are prepared to spend.

Research by the web magazine Honest John, using VOSA data has revealed a very interesting picture of the actual condition of our cars.

The statistics below shows both the overall pass rate and below that the proportions of the different areas that cars fail on.  Firstly, our cars fail much less often than the average pre-1990 car.  Secondly there are some striking differences in the comparison between Marina and Itals.

• The proportion of Itals failing on Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment is much higher than for Marinas.
• The proportion of Itals failing on Exhaust, Fuel and Emissions is close to double that of Marinas.

It’s difficult to say why exactly, but clearly Itals have more electrical bits to go wrong and many Marinas are exempt from Emissions tests.  The other thing to be remembered is that five times as many Marinas were tested as Itals, so the results should be viewed with a degree of caution.

Morris Marina

Failure rates by item

comparISON the rates to the average results for pre-1990 cars and highlighted areas where the Morris Marina is unusually good or bad.

• 13% fail on Brakes

o   11% fail on Brake performance

• 5.3% fail on Rear wheels
• 4.7% fail on Parking brake performance
• 3.7% fail on Front wheels
• 1.9% fail on Service brake performance

o   4.3% fail on Hydraulic systems

• 3.4% fail on Components
• 1.9% fail on Hoses
• 0.62% fail on Pipes
• 0.62% fail on Reservoirs
• 0.31% fail on Cylinders
• 1.2% fail on Leaks
• 0.31% fail on Brake fluid warning lamp

o   1.2% fail on Parking brake

•  1.2% fail on Condition

o   0.62% fail on Hub components

• 0.31% fail on Brake drums
• 0.31% fail on Wheel cylinder

o   0.31% fail on Prescribed areas

• 0.31% fail on Master cylinder / servo mounting

 

• 12% fail on Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment (42% better than other pre-1990 cars)

o   3.7% fail on Direction indicators

• 3.7% fail on Flashing type
• 2.5% fail on Individual lamps
• 1.2% fail on All direction indicators

o   2.5% fail on Stop lamp

o   2.2% fail on Position lamps

• 1.6% fail on Rear lamps
• 0.62% fail on Front lamps (79% better than other pre-1990 cars)
• 0.31% fail on All position lamps
• 0.31% fail on Switch

o   2.2% fail on Registration plate lamp

o   2.2% fail on Headlamp aim (64% better than other pre-1990 cars)

o   1.2% fail on Battery

o   1.2% fail on Headlamps (68% better than other pre-1990 cars)

• 1.2% fail on Headlamp
• 0.31% fail on Switch

o   0.93% fail on Hazard warning

• 0.93% fail on Lamp

o   0.93% fail on Horn

o   0.62% fail on Rear fog lamp (79% better than other pre-1990 cars)

• 0.62% fail on Tell tale

 

• 8.7% fail on Suspension (41% better than other pre-1990 cars)

o   5.0% fail on Prescribed areas

• 3.7% fail on Component mounting
• 1.6% fail on Spring mounting

o   1.6% fail on Wheel bearings

• 1.6% fail on Front
• 0.31% fail on Rear

o   0.93% fail on Tie bars / rods

• 0.93% fail on Pins / bushes / ball joints (4 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)

o   0.62% fail on Torque / reaction arms (11 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)

• 0.31% fail on Condition
• 0.31% fail on Attachment

o   0.31% fail on Leaf springs

• 0.31% fail on Shackle bracket

o   0.31% fail on Torsion bars

• 0.31% fail on Attachment

o   0.31% fail on Trailing arms

• 0.31% fail on Pins / bushes / ball joints

o   0.31% fail on Radius arms

• 0.31% fail on Pins / bushes / ball joints

o   0.31% fail on Axles

• 0.31% fail on Swivel joints / housing

o   0.31% fail on Front suspension joints

o   0.31% fail on Shock absorbers

• 0.31% fail on Condition

 

• 6.5% fail on Driver's view of the road

o   3.1% fail on Wipers

o   3.1% fail on Washers

o   0.31% fail on Windscreen

o   0.31% fail on Mirrors

 

• 5.6% fail on Exhaust, Fuel and Emissions

o   3.4% fail on Exhaust system

o   2.5% fail on Spark ignition

• 2.5% fail on Non catalyst

o   0.93% fail on Fuel system

• 0.62% fail on Pipe
• 0.31% fail on System

 

• 5.0% fail on Steering

o   4.3% fail on Steering system

• 3.1% fail on Steering rack
• 0.93% fail on Track rod end
• 0.62% fail on Free play
• 0.62% fail on Steering rack
• 0.62% fail on Ball joint

o   0.31% fail on Steering control

• 0.31% fail on Steering column

o   0.31% fail on Locking devices

 

• 1.9% fail on Body, Structure and General Items (63% better than other pre-1990 cars)

o   1.2% fail on Body condition

o   0.31% fail on Vehicle structure

•  0.31% fail on Chassis

o   0.31% fail on Seats

• 0.31% fail on Passengers
• 1.2% fail on Tyres (68% better than other pre-1990 cars)

o   0.62% fail on Condition

o   0.62% fail on Tread depth

 

• 0.62% fail on Seat Belts and Supplementary Restraint Systems (82% better than other pre-1990 cars)

o   0.62% fail on Seat belts (82% better than other pre-1990 cars)

• 0.62% fail on Prescribed areas

 

• 0.62% fail on Registration plates and VIN

 

Morris Ital

Failure rates by item

We've also compared the rates to the average results for pre-1990 cars and highlighted areas where the Morris Ital is unusually good or bad.

• 16% fail on Brakes

o   9.8% fail on Brake performance

• 4.9% fail on Front wheels
• 4.9% fail on Rear wheels
• 1.6% fail on Parking brake performance

o   4.9% fail on Hydraulic systems

• 4.9% fail on Components
• 1.6% fail on Cylinders
• 1.6% fail on Pipes
• 1.6% fail on Hoses

o   1.6% fail on Restricted movement

 

• 11% fail on Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment

o   3.3% fail on Stop lamp

o   3.3% fail on Direction indicators

• 3.3% fail on Flashing type
• 1.6% fail on All direction indicators
• 1.6% fail on Side repeaters

o   3.3% fail on Hazard warning

• 3.3% fail on Lamp

o   1.6% fail on Battery

o   1.6% fail on Position lamps

• 1.6% fail on Rear lamps

o   1.6% fail on Headlamps

• 1.6% fail on Headlamp

o   1.6% fail on Headlamp aim

 

• 9.8% fail on Exhaust, Fuel and Emissions

o   6.6% fail on Exhaust system

o   6.6% fail on Spark ignition

• 6.6% fail on Non catalyst

o   1.6% fail on Fuel system

• 1.6% fail on Cap
• 8.2% fail on Suspension

o   3.3% fail on Suspension arms

• 3.3% fail on Pins / bushes / ball joints

o   3.3% fail on Prescribed areas

• 3.3% fail on Component mounting

o   1.6% fail on Tie bars / rods

• 1.6% fail on Pins / bushes / ball joints

o   1.6% fail on Anti-roll bars

• 1.6% fail on Attachment

o   1.6% fail on Shock absorbers

• 1.6% fail on Condition

 

• 6.6% fail on Steering

o   6.6% fail on Steering system

• 4.9% fail on Steering rack
• 3.3% fail on Track rod end
• 6.6% fail on Driver's view of the road

o   3.3% fail on Wipers

o   3.3% fail on Washers

 

• 4.9% fail on Seat Belts and Supplementary Restraint Systems

o   4.9% fail on Seat belts

• 3.3% fail on Prescribed areas
• 1.6% fail on Condition

 

• 4.9% fail on Body, Structure and General Items

o   1.6% fail on Vehicle structure

• 1.6% fail on Chassis

o   1.6% fail on Body condition

o   1.6% fail on Doors

• 1.6% fail on Passengers front

o   1.6% fail on Seats

• 1.6% fail on Drivers

 

• 3.3% fail on Tyres

o   1.6% fail on Size / type

o   1.6% fail on Condition

 

Summary of Findings

(Source www.classics.honestjohn.co.uk)

Test	Marina	Ital
Brakes	13% fail	16% fail
Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment	1.2% fail	11% fail
Exhaust, Fuel and Emissions	5.6% fail	9.8% fail
Suspension	8.7% fail	8.2% fail
Steering	5.0% fail	6.6% fail
Driver's view of the road (washers & wipers)	6.5% fail	6.6% fail
Seat Belts and Supplementary Restraint Systems	0.62% fail	4.9% fail
Body, Structure and General Items	1.9% fail	4.9% fail
Tyres	1.2% fail	3.3% fail
Registration plates and VIN	0.62% fail	-