Morgan Plus MOT pass rate and common problems
91.4% of 3,493 Morgan Plus MOT tests pass.
The Plus's pass rate of 91.4% is in line with the average across all Morgan models, at 91.4%.
The Morgan Plus passes its MOT 91.4% of the time — well above the national average for cars, which sits at 79.2%.
Own this Morgan Plus?
This is the average across every Morgan Plus in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Morgan’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate stays relatively stable with age: 92.2% at 3–6 years versus 90.6% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | too few tests (29) | 29 | no reading |
| 3–6 years | 92.2% | 399 | 7,883 miles |
| 6–10 years | 94.0% | 601 | 12,817 miles |
| 10–15 years | 90.8% | 458 | 18,364 miles |
| 15+ years | 90.6% | 2,006 | 34,449 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Morgan Plus
The most common reason the Morgan Plus fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 60.9% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 60.9% | Not working |
| Brakes | 35.6% | Excessively binding |
| Steering | 18.1% | Gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 17.3% | Carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits |
| Visibility | 12.4% | Not working |
| Tyres | 5.9% | Seriously damaged |
| Suspension | 4.3% | Swivel pin and/or bush excessively worn |
| Identification of the vehicle | 4.3% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
| Body, chassis, structure | 2.7% | Has a major leak of exhaust gases |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 1.1% | Not functioning as intended |
Buying a used Morgan Plus: what to check
These checks follow the Morgan Plus’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the Morgan Plus comes between 6–10 years and 10–15 years old, from 94.0% to 90.8%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 0–30,000 mi to 30,000–60,000 mi: 92.4% down to 89.4%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 60.9% of failed Morgan Plus MOTs. 8.3% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 3.5% at 3–6 years.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
2. Brakes
Recorded in 35.6% of failed Morgan Plus MOTs.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
3. Steering
Recorded in 18.1% of failed Morgan Plus MOTs.
The steering should feel precise, without knocks or play, and the car should run straight. Turn to full lock both ways and listen for clunks.
4. Exhaust, emissions and leaks
Recorded in 17.3% of failed Morgan Plus MOTs.
Look under the car for fresh oil or coolant, and listen for blows or rattles from the exhaust. Watch for smoke from the tailpipe when the engine starts and when you accelerate.
5. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 12.4% of failed Morgan Plus MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 1.6% of tests at 15+ years failed on windscreen and wipers.
Look for windscreen chips and cracks in the driver’s line of sight, and check the wipers clear the screen and the washers work.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Morgan service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Morgan models
- Morgan 4/4 — 89.7% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Morgan Plus?
- 91.4% of Morgan Plus MOT tests pass, based on 3,493 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Morgan Plus?
- The most common reason the Morgan Plus fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 60.9% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
- What are the common problems with the Morgan Plus?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Morgan Plus are lights and electrics; brakes; steering. 8.3% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 3.5% at 3–6 years.
- What should I check when buying a used Morgan Plus?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: lights and electrics; brakes; steering; exhaust, emissions and leaks; windscreen and wipers. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Morgan Plus's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Morgan service history guide for how to check and keep one.