At a Glance
The Triumph Spitfire has 42 identified common problems across 1 generation, with the Spitfire (1962-1980) being the most affected generation and brakes the most common problem category. Based on 58K 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 Triumph Spitfire 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
Triumph Spitfire 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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Most Common Triumph Spitfire MOT Failures
Every reason Triumph Spitfire 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 | Number plate lamp not working | 8.98% |
| 2 | Brake performance below minimum | 7.00% |
| 3 | Exhaust system fault | 6.42% |
| 4 | Stop lamp not working | 5.39% |
| 5 | Front lamp not working | 4.87% |
| 6 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 4.03% |
| 7 | Windscreen washer not working | 3.70% |
| 8 | Tyre condition | 3.64% |
| 9 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 3.07% |
| 10 | Headlamp aim defect | 2.58% |
| 11 | Front suspension fault | 2.51% |
| 12 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 2.49% |
| 13 | Rear lamp not working | 2.48% |
| 14 | Body corrosion or damage | 2.25% |
| 15 | Chassis condition | 1.92% |
| 16 | Indicator fault | 1.81% |
| 17 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 1.53% |
| 18 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 1.52% |
| 19 | Suspension mounting corroded | 1.50% |
| 20 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 1.45% |
| 21 | Front suspension joint worn | 1.40% |
| 22 | Fog lamp not working | 1.31% |
| 23 | Position lamp not working | 1.28% |
| 24 | Horn not working | 1.22% |
| 25 | Subframe mounting corroded | 1.07% |
| 26 | Ball joint dust cover split | 1.05% |
| 27 | Headlamp fault | 1.00% |
| 28 | Track rod end worn | 0.91% |
| 29 | Rear suspension fault | 0.87% |
| 30 | Steering free play excessive | 0.86% |
| 31 | Steering operation fault | 0.75% |
| 32 | Steering rack fault | 0.74% |
| 33 | Parking brake condition | 0.73% |
| 34 | King pin or swivel pin worn | 0.69% |
| 35 | Brake disc or drum worn | 0.64% |
| 36 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | 0.62% |
| 37 | Seat belt condition | 0.61% |
| 38 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.56% |
| 39 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.51% |
| 40 | Steering coupling worn | 0.48% |
| 41 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.47% |
| 42 | Brake lever fault | 0.45% |
| 43 | Brake pedal fault | 0.45% |
| 44 | Brake fluid leak | 0.44% |
| 45 | Brake pads or linings worn | 0.43% |
| 46 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | 0.42% |
| 47 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.41% |
| 48 | Steering lock fault | 0.39% |
| 49 | Driveshaft fault | 0.37% |
| 50 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.36% |
| 51 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.34% |
| 52 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.33% |
| 53 | Electrical switch fault | 0.33% |
| 54 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 0.31% |
| 55 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.31% |
| 56 | Steering column fault | 0.29% |
| 57 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | 0.29% |
| 58 | Brake caliper fault | 0.28% |
| 59 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | 0.28% |
| 60 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | 0.28% |
| 61 | Driver seat fault | 0.26% |
| 62 | Handbrake cable fault | 0.26% |
| 63 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 0.26% |
| 64 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.24% |
| 65 | Leaf spring broken or corroded | 0.24% |
| 66 | Steering arm worn | 0.24% |
| 67 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.24% |
| 68 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | 0.22% |
| 69 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.22% |
| 70 | Spring mounting corroded | 0.22% |
| 71 | Brake clevis joint worn | 0.22% |
| 72 | Body security fault | 0.20% |
| 73 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 0.20% |
| 74 | Front passenger door fault | 0.18% |
| 75 | Driver door fault | 0.16% |
| 76 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.16% |
| 77 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 0.16% |
| 78 | Brake master cylinder or servo mounting fault | 0.14% |
| 79 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.14% |
| 80 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.13% |
| 81 | Speedometer fault | 0.12% |
| 82 | Steering shaft fault | 0.12% |
| 83 | Leaf spring eye worn or broken | 0.11% |
| 84 | Passenger seat fault | 0.11% |
| 85 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.10% |
| 86 | Drag link end worn | 0.10% |
| 87 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.10% |
| 88 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.08% |
| 89 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | 0.07% |
| 90 | Engine oil leak | 0.07% |
| 91 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.07% |
| 92 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | 0.06% |
| 93 | Vehicle floor corroded | 0.06% |
| 94 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.06% |
| 95 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | 0.05% |
| 96 | Indicator warning light fault | 0.05% |
| 97 | Universal joint worn | 0.05% |
| 98 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | 0.05% |
| 99 | Anchor bracket corroded | 0.04% |
| 100 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.04% |
| 101 | Engine mounting worn or broken | 0.04% |
| 102 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.04% |
| 103 | Leaf spring shackle bracket corroded | 0.04% |
| 104 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.03% |
| 105 | Brake linkage mounting fault | 0.03% |
| 106 | Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault | 0.03% |
| 107 | Spring saddle corroded | 0.03% |
| 108 | Brake master cylinder fault | 0.03% |
| 109 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 0.03% |
| 110 | Dip switch fault | 0.03% |
| 111 | Securing bolts missing or insecure | 0.03% |
| 112 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.02% |
| 113 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.02% |
| 114 | Stub axle worn | 0.02% |
| 115 | Transmission oil leak | 0.02% |
| 116 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.02% |
| 117 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | 0.02% |
| 118 | Brake relay lever fault | 0.02% |
| 119 | Brake stationary pin worn | 0.02% |
| 120 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.02% |
| 121 | Exhaust leak | 0.02% |
| 122 | Halfshaft fault | 0.02% |
| 123 | Hydraulic fluid leak | 0.02% |
| 124 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | 0.01% |
| 125 | Leaf spring slipper worn | 0.01% |
| 126 | Propshaft fault | 0.01% |
| 127 | Seat belt anchorage fault | 0.01% |
| 128 | Semaphore indicator fault | 0.01% |
| 129 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | 0.01% |
| 130 | Wheel hub fault | 0.01% |
| 131 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 132 | Brake fluid warning light on | <0.01% |
| 133 | Main beam warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 134 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 135 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 136 | Steering intermediate drop arm worn | <0.01% |
| 137 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 138 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 139 | Towbar fault | <0.01% |
| 140 | ABS fault | <0.01% |
| 141 | Body strengthening plate corroded | <0.01% |
| 142 | Brake valve fault | <0.01% |
| 143 | Electric power steering fault | <0.01% |
| 144 | Hazard warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 145 | Radius arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 146 | Reversing lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 147 | Spare wheel fault | <0.01% |
| 148 | Steering lock stop fault | <0.01% |
| 149 | Suspension coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 150 | Torque or reaction arm worn | <0.01% |
| 151 | Bonded suspension condition | <0.01% |
Showing all 151 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Triumph Spitfire MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Triumph Spitfire, 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 Triumph Spitfire problems?
Based on analysis of 58K Triumph Spitfire MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 42 identified common problems across 1 generation. The most frequently flagged issue is "Brake performance below minimum". Brakes is the most common problem category.
Which Triumph Spitfire generation has the most problems?
The Triumph Spitfire Spitfire (1962-1980) (1962–1980) has the highest number of identified common problems (54). 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 Triumph Spitfire?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Triumph Spitfire owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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