At a Glance
The Austin A35 has 9 identified problems that occur more often than the UK average, with Brake performance below minimum being the most reported. Suspension is the most common MOT failure category. Based on 8K MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on this model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read how we calculate MOT pass rates and problems →
Below: the full MOT-data picture for the Austin A35 — MOT pass rate vs the UK average, common problems vs UK fleet patterns, the most likely MOT failures by frequency, fault occurrence by mileage band, and pass/fail trends. All numbers drawn from DVSA records.
Austin A35 MOT Pass Rate
Across 8K MOT tests from DVSA data, the Austin A35 (1956–1968) has a fail rate of 22.7%.
All-time UK average fail rate: 34.9%
Common Austin A35 Problems
Owner-submitted reports plus patterns we've identified across 559 million UK MOT tests. Each MOT-derived item below — whether tagged as a Problem, Wear & Tear or Consumable — shows up noticeably more often on this generation than across the UK fleet, which is why it's here. Owner reports are pinned to the top by default; use the sort and filter pills below to view a specific tier or change the order.
Brake performance below minimum
612
occurrences
Spring mounting corroded
227
occurrences
Brake hydraulic component worn
198
occurrences
Headlamp defect (aim check required on retest)
115
occurrences
Indicator fault
103
occurrences
Tell Us About Your Problem
Help other Austin A35 owners — report a problem and we'll add it to the database
Tell Us About Your Problem
Help other Austin A35 owners — report a problem and we'll add it to the database
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Problems by mileage
Common problems, MOT failures and advisories on the Austin A35, grouped by the mileage they typically appear at.
291 distinct problems · 7,554 total occurrences in current filter
Filter by fuel and engine size to narrow down to your car.
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Advisory items are MOT tester observations. Frequency can be influenced by driving style and usage patterns.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Austin A35 problems?
Based on DVSA MOT data for the Austin A35 A35 (1956–1968), we have identified 9 common problems. The most frequently reported is "Brake performance below minimum". Suspension is the most common MOT failure category.
How reliable is the Austin A35?
This generation has 8K MOT tests on record with a 22.7% fail rate. A fault is flagged as a "Common Problem" only when it occurs significantly more often on this model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence.
What commonly fails the MOT on a Austin A35?
There are 107 distinct MOT failure types recorded for the A35 (1956–1968), grouped by the mileage these failures typically occur. See the Common MOT Failures section on this page.
Can I report a problem with my Austin A35?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Austin A35 owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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