1959 Sunbeam Rapier 1.6L Petrol · VVS 929
1959 Sunbeam Rapier (1.6L, petrol). First registered 31 Dec 1959. Recorded mileage 78,097 miles. MOT expired on 16 Aug 2026.
- Make & Model
- SUNBEAM RAPIER
- Year / Origin
- 1959 · Worcester
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Expired on 16 Aug 2026
- Road Tax
- —
- Recorded Mileage
- 78,097 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Check Required (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
- Fuel & Engine
- Petrol · 1.6L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
Thinking of buying this vehicle? Free MOT and tax checks do not cover legal ownership. If outstanding finance exists, finance companies have legal right to repossess without compensation.
VVS 929 Key Findings
- 4 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 18/08/2025
- 78,097 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 1 historical MOT failure
- No defects recorded at the latest MOT
- Recurring brakes items (2 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
VVS 929 MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
4 MOT tests are recorded for this 1959 Sunbeam Rapier (VVS 929) between November 2022 and August 2025.
The record contains 3 passes and 1 failure.
The most recent test on 18 August 2025 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 1 failure that buyers may want to investigate.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Brakes (2 issues), Steering (2 issues), Bodywork (2 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 2 advisory notices are recorded. Advisories flag items that passed but may need attention before the next test; they are not evidence of how well the vehicle has been serviced.
Recorded failure items include: “Offside Outer Track rod end ball joint dust cover insecure so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) ”; “Offside Outer Track rod end ball joint worn to the extent there is a serious risk of detachment (2.1.3 (b) (ii))”; “Nearside Front Brake hose ferrule excessively corroded (1.1.12 (f) (i))”.
VVS 929 Mileage History
- 11/11/202275,613 mi
- 18/11/202275,615 mi+2 mi
- 05/08/202476,678 mi+1,063 mi
- 18/08/202578,097 mi+1,419 mi
Average of roughly 897 miles per year across 4 recorded odometer readings.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
Dimensions & Weights
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Known faults for Sunbeam Sunbeam Rapier
Our database tracks 4 specific mechanical faults and recurring failure patterns identified across UK MOT testing stations for this generation.
MOT Roadworthiness: Below Average
This rating reflects historical MOT pass rates and recurring advisory wear patterns from official DVSA test logs. Note that roadworthiness does not verify outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen records.
Verify lender finance agreements, insurance write-offs, police stolen registers, and mileage rollback.
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SUNBEAM RAPIER Model Intelligence & Reliability
Verified MOT failure trends, buying advice, and technical directory specifications.
Owner-reported defects, recurring MOT failure points, and estimated repair costs.
Browse production generations, registration statistics, and trim variants.
Historical MOT pass rates and DVLA records for 1959 model year cars.
- Structural sill, jacking point and rear spring hanger rotSerious
Both the Audax Series cars (1955–1967) and the Arrow fastback coupes (1967–1976) suffer from severe structural corrosion in British climates. Road grime and water thrown up by the road collect inside the multi-box outer and inner sills, the jacking points, and the rear leaf-spring mounting brackets. On fastback models, water also collects behind the front wings where they join the A-pillars. Because structural replacement panels are no longer manufactured off the shelf, restoring a rotted Rapier requires extensive bespoke steel cutting and welding that can easily outstrip the value of the vehicle.
- Laycock de Normanville overdrive failure and solenoid stickingModerate
The Laycock de Normanville overdrive was fitted as standard on early Series Rapiers and optional on later cars, providing relaxed high-speed cruising. Common faults include sticking electrical actuation solenoids, failed column or dashboard switches, dirty hydraulic oil restricting internal pressure, and worn friction cones. When the hydraulic pressure drops below operating threshold, the overdrive either refuses to engage, slips under acceleration, or worse, fails to disengage when reversing, which can cause catastrophic mechanical damage to the overdrive planet gears.
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