At a Glance
The Morris Minor has 57 identified common problems across 1 generation, with the Minor (1948-1971) being the most affected generation and suspension the most common problem category. Based on 189K MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read our DVSA MOT data methodology →
Below: generation-by-generation comparison of Morris Minor common problems, MOT failure types, and pass-rate data drawn from DVSA records. Click any generation to see fuel- and engine-specific fault patterns, mileage-banded repair guidance, and the most common MOT failures testers record.
MOT Tests & Failures by Generation
Morris Minor generations by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that generation's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
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Browse Morris Minor Generations
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Most Common Morris Minor MOT Failures
Every reason Morris Minor vehicles fail their MOT, ranked by frequency. Select an individual year to see only that year’s failures, or stay on ‘All time’ for the combined picture across our 20 years of DVSA data. Scroll inside the table for the full list.
| # | Failure | % of failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brake performance below minimum | 10.37% |
| 2 | Stop lamp not working | 8.80% |
| 3 | Number plate lamp not working | 8.71% |
| 4 | Exhaust system fault | 5.48% |
| 5 | Front lamp not working | 4.18% |
| 6 | Headlamp aim defect | 4.00% |
| 7 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 3.95% |
| 8 | Windscreen washer not working | 3.86% |
| 9 | Tyre condition | 3.81% |
| 10 | Suspension mounting corroded | 3.66% |
| 11 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 3.24% |
| 12 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 2.98% |
| 13 | Chassis condition | 2.91% |
| 14 | Spring mounting corroded | 2.87% |
| 15 | Rear lamp not working | 2.62% |
| 16 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 2.41% |
| 17 | Body corrosion or damage | 1.80% |
| 18 | Steering rack fault | 1.73% |
| 19 | Horn not working | 1.60% |
| 20 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 1.59% |
| 21 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 1.31% |
| 22 | Front suspension fault | 1.24% |
| 23 | Track rod end worn | 1.19% |
| 24 | Indicator fault | 1.06% |
| 25 | Headlamp fault | 0.97% |
| 26 | Parking brake condition | 0.96% |
| 27 | Front suspension joint worn | 0.92% |
| 28 | Seat belt condition | 0.82% |
| 29 | Position lamp not working | 0.81% |
| 30 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.56% |
| 31 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.45% |
| 32 | Brake fluid leak | 0.42% |
| 33 | Rear suspension fault | 0.38% |
| 34 | Brake pedal fault | 0.36% |
| 35 | Semaphore indicator fault | 0.35% |
| 36 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.30% |
| 37 | King pin or swivel pin worn | 0.29% |
| 38 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.28% |
| 39 | Subframe mounting corroded | 0.26% |
| 40 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.25% |
| 41 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.22% |
| 42 | Leaf spring broken or corroded | 0.21% |
| 43 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.20% |
| 44 | Steering lock fault | 0.19% |
| 45 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 0.18% |
| 46 | Brake disc or drum worn | 0.17% |
| 47 | Steering column fault | 0.16% |
| 48 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | 0.16% |
| 49 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | 0.16% |
| 50 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.14% |
| 51 | Handbrake cable fault | 0.14% |
| 52 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.14% |
| 53 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.13% |
| 54 | Anchor bracket corroded | 0.13% |
| 55 | Electrical switch fault | 0.13% |
| 56 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | 0.13% |
| 57 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.12% |
| 58 | Body security fault | 0.12% |
| 59 | Steering free play excessive | 0.11% |
| 60 | Leaf spring shackle bracket corroded | 0.10% |
| 61 | Steering operation fault | 0.10% |
| 62 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 0.10% |
| 63 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.10% |
| 64 | Securing bolts missing or insecure | 0.10% |
| 65 | Brake lever fault | 0.10% |
| 66 | Brake master cylinder or servo mounting fault | 0.10% |
| 67 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.10% |
| 68 | Engine oil leak | 0.09% |
| 69 | Brake pads or linings worn | 0.09% |
| 70 | Leaf spring eye worn or broken | 0.09% |
| 71 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | 0.09% |
| 72 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.09% |
| 73 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.08% |
| 74 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.08% |
| 75 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | 0.07% |
| 76 | Engine mounting worn or broken | 0.07% |
| 77 | Steering arm worn | 0.07% |
| 78 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | 0.06% |
| 79 | Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault | 0.06% |
| 80 | Driveshaft fault | 0.06% |
| 81 | Speedometer fault | 0.06% |
| 82 | Brake clevis joint worn | 0.06% |
| 83 | Vehicle floor corroded | 0.06% |
| 84 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 0.06% |
| 85 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | 0.06% |
| 86 | Front passenger door fault | 0.05% |
| 87 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | 0.05% |
| 88 | Bonded suspension condition | 0.05% |
| 89 | Suspension unit fault | 0.05% |
| 90 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.05% |
| 91 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | 0.05% |
| 92 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.04% |
| 93 | Steering shaft fault | 0.04% |
| 94 | Towbar fault | 0.04% |
| 95 | Driver seat fault | 0.04% |
| 96 | Brake caliper fault | 0.04% |
| 97 | Spring saddle corroded | 0.04% |
| 98 | Ball joint dust cover split | 0.03% |
| 99 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | 0.03% |
| 100 | Indicator warning light fault | 0.03% |
| 101 | Stub axle worn | 0.03% |
| 102 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.03% |
| 103 | Drag link end worn | 0.03% |
| 104 | Fog lamp not working | 0.03% |
| 105 | Brake linkage mounting fault | 0.03% |
| 106 | Passenger seat fault | 0.03% |
| 107 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.03% |
| 108 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.02% |
| 109 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | 0.02% |
| 110 | Torque or reaction arm worn | 0.02% |
| 111 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | 0.02% |
| 112 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | 0.02% |
| 113 | Brake valve fault | 0.02% |
| 114 | Driver door fault | 0.01% |
| 115 | Propshaft fault | 0.01% |
| 116 | Brake pedal linkage fault | 0.01% |
| 117 | Exhaust leak | 0.01% |
| 118 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | 0.01% |
| 119 | Brake master cylinder fault | 0.01% |
| 120 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | 0.01% |
| 121 | Hydraulic fluid leak | 0.01% |
| 122 | Leaf spring slipper worn | 0.01% |
| 123 | Steering box fault | 0.01% |
| 124 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | <0.01% |
| 125 | Dip switch fault | <0.01% |
| 126 | Loading door damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 127 | Steering coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 128 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | <0.01% |
| 129 | Bumper damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 130 | Coil spring broken or corroded | <0.01% |
| 131 | Radius arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 132 | Transmission oil leak | <0.01% |
| 133 | Brake stationary pin worn | <0.01% |
| 134 | Body strengthening plate corroded | <0.01% |
| 135 | Rear fog lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 136 | Air suspension levelling valve fault | <0.01% |
| 137 | Axle corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 138 | Hand-operated brake valve condition | <0.01% |
| 139 | Steering lock stop fault | <0.01% |
| 140 | MacPherson strut worn | <0.01% |
| 141 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 142 | Brake relay lever fault | <0.01% |
| 143 | Brake servo fault | <0.01% |
| 144 | CV joint worn | <0.01% |
| 145 | Panhard rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 146 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 147 | Steering intermediate drop arm worn | <0.01% |
| 148 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | <0.01% |
| 149 | Handbrake fails on gradient | <0.01% |
| 150 | Main beam warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 151 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 152 | Universal joint worn | <0.01% |
| 153 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 154 | Air brake cylinder or actuator fault | <0.01% |
| 155 | Airbag warning light on | <0.01% |
| 156 | Chain drive fault | <0.01% |
| 157 | Daytime running lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 158 | Halfshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 159 | Seat belt or padding damaged | <0.01% |
| 160 | Steering damper fault | <0.01% |
| 161 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 162 | Wheel hub fault | <0.01% |
| 163 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
| 164 | Speed limiter fault | <0.01% |
Showing all 164 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Morris Minor MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Morris Minor, grouped by category. Same data as the failures table above — just sliced by category instead of fault title. Hover a slice for the top failures in each category.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Morris Minor problems?
Based on analysis of 189K Morris Minor MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 57 identified common problems across 1 generation. The most frequently flagged issue is "Brake performance below minimum". Suspension is the most common problem category.
Which Morris Minor generation has the most problems?
The Morris Minor Minor (1948-1971) (1948–1971) has the highest number of identified common problems (83). Click the generation card above for the full breakdown.
How is this data calculated?
We analyse anonymised DVSA MOT test records under the Open Government Licence. An issue is classified as a "Common Problem" when it occurs significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read the full methodology page for details.
Can I report a problem with my Morris Minor?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Morris Minor owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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