1971 Triumph Spitfire 1.5L Petrol · BKP 558K
1971 Triumph Spitfire (1.5L, petrol). First registered 13 Dec 1971. Recorded mileage 9,418 miles. MOT valid until 19 May 2027. Taxed until 01 Sept 2027.
- Make & Model
- TRIUMPH SPITFIRE
- Year / Origin
- 1971 · Birmingham
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Valid until 19 May 2027
- Road Tax
- Taxed (01 Sept 2027)
- Recorded Mileage
- 9,418 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Check Required (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
- Fuel & Engine
- Petrol · 1.5L
- 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.
BKP 558K Key Findings
- 18 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 21/05/2026
- 9,418 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 1 historical MOT failure
- No defects recorded at the latest MOT
- Recurring lighting items (7 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
BKP 558K MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
18 MOT tests are recorded for this 1971 Triumph Spitfire (BKP 558K) between April 2006 and May 2026.
The record contains 17 passes and 1 failure.
The most recent test on 21 May 2026 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: Lighting (7 issues), Brakes (1 issue), Windscreen (1 issue). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 8 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.
BKP 558K Mileage History
- 22/04/20061,157 mi
- 27/04/20071,789 mi+632 mi
- 16/05/20082,458 mi+669 mi
- 15/05/20093,373 mi+915 mi
- 15/05/20103,779 mi+406 mi
- 07/05/20114,174 mi+395 mi
- 12/05/20124,628 mi+454 mi
- 28/05/20134,851 mi+223 mi
- 08/05/20145,313 mi+462 mi
- 12/06/20155,598 mi+285 mi
- 07/06/20165,953 mi+355 mi
- 05/06/20176,255 mi+302 mi
- 21/05/20196,800 mi+545 mi
- 21/05/20196,800 mi
- 18/05/20237,980 mi+1,180 mi
- 14/05/20248,530 mi+550 mi
- 07/05/20258,991 mi+461 mi
- 21/05/20269,418 mi+427 mi
Average of roughly 411 miles per year across 18 recorded odometer readings.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
Dimensions & Weights
Diagnostic & Valuation Intelligence
Estimate current market value
Generate an instant valuation benchmark based on live market listings, vehicle mileage, and recent dealer auction figures.
Known faults for Triumph Triumph Spitfire
Our database tracks 4 specific mechanical faults and recurring failure patterns identified across UK MOT testing stations for this generation.
MOT Roadworthiness: Excellent
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.
Similar Vehicles
Similar Vehicles Checked Recently
Plate Neighbors
TRIUMPH SPITFIRE 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 1971 model year cars.
- Front suspension vertical-link trunnion seizure and breakageSerious
The front suspension uses threaded brass trunnions that screw onto the bottom of the vertical links. Triumph specified EP90 hypoid gear oil for lubrication. In practice, owners and fast-fit garages pumped standard chassis grease into the nipples; grease hardens, dries out, and allows road grit to wear the threads. The trunnion seizes solid, causing metal fatigue that snaps the vertical link kingpin under steering load.
- Crankshaft thrust washer wear and end-float damageSerious
On Standard-Triumph four-cylinder engines—most acutely on the long-stroke 1493cc unit fitted to the Spitfire 1500—the semicircular copper-lead crankshaft thrust washers wear excessively. Repeated clutch disengagement pushes the crankshaft forward. Once thrust washers wear down, they drop into the engine oil sump; the unguided crankshaft then machines directly into the cast-iron cylinder block web, destroying the engine casing.
- Chassis outrigger, floorpan and sill corrosionSerious
The Spitfire relies on a central double-backbone chassis with fabricated sheet-metal outriggers that support the outer sills and body tub. Road spray thrown from unshielded wheels rots the outriggers, floorpans, rear axle kick-ups and outer sills. Because the sill assemblies provide vital longitudinal stiffness to the open convertible body tub, severe rot causes structural flexing, scuttle shake, and sagging door gaps.
Regional DVLA Registration Directory
Vehicles and registration batches issued by regional DVLA offices across the UK.
Recently Checked UK Vehicles
Live vehicle history checks and MOT records recently queried by UK car buyers.