1987 Reliant Rialto 0.8L Petrol · D971 BBC
1987 Reliant Rialto (0.8L, petrol). First registered 02 Mar 1987. Recorded mileage 80,677 miles. MOT valid until 22 Sept 2027.
- Make & Model
- RELIANT RIALTO
- Year / Origin
- 1987 · Chester
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Valid until 22 Sept 2027
- Road Tax
- —
- Recorded Mileage
- 80,677 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Check Required (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
- Fuel & Engine
- Petrol · 0.8L
- 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.
D971 BBC Key Findings
- 20 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 24/09/2026
- 80,677 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 6 historical MOT failures
- 1 defect noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring lighting items (17 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
D971 BBC MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
20 MOT tests are recorded for this 1987 Reliant Rialto (D971 BBC) between March 2006 and September 2026.
The record contains 14 passes and 6 failures.
The most recent test on 24 September 2026 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 6 failures that buyers may want to investigate.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Lighting (17 issues), Brakes (13 issues), Suspension (10 issues), Exhaust & Emissions (4 issues), Steering (3 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 23 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: “Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))”; “Driver's door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle (6.2.3 (a))”; “Offside Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))”.
D971 BBC Mileage History
- 08/03/200662,183 mi
- 07/03/200764,446 mi+2,263 mi
- 04/03/200866,568 mi+2,122 mi
- 03/03/200968,545 mi+1,977 mi
- 04/03/201070,321 mi+1,776 mi
- 07/03/201172,103 mi+1,782 mi
- 05/03/201273,313 mi+1,210 mi
- 05/03/201373,988 mi+675 mi
- 12/03/201474,687 mi+699 mi
- 12/03/201474,687 mi
- 12/03/201575,461 mi+774 mi
- 12/03/201575,461 mi
- 06/01/201675,897 mi+436 mi
- 07/01/201675,905 mi+8 mi
- 12/01/201777,599 mi+1,694 mi
- 22/01/201879,378 mi+1,779 mi
- 28/02/202479,504 mi+126 mi
- 18/03/202479,517 mi+13 mi
- 24/09/202680,677 mi+1,160 mi
- 24/09/202680,677 mi
Average of roughly 900 miles per year across 20 recorded odometer readings.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
Dimensions & Weights
Diagnostic & Valuation Intelligence
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Known faults for Reliant Reliant Rialto
Our database tracks 3 specific mechanical faults and recurring failure patterns identified across UK MOT testing stations for this generation.
MOT Roadworthiness: 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.
Common Problems: RELIANT RIALTO
Known issues reported by owners and MOT testers.
- Front Suspension Swing-Arm and Steering Bush Wear(Moderate)
The single front wheel on the Rialto is mounted on an unsprung leading/trailing swing-arm arrangement carrying the full weight of braking and cornering. Road potholes and speed cushions accelerate wear on the front pivot needle roller bearings and steering headstock bushes. Neglected grease lubrication leads to excessive slack, causing vagueness in the steering, front tyre scuffing, and severe MOT failure.
- HT-E High-Compression Cylinder Head Warpage(Moderate)
In 1984, the Rialto 2 adopted the HT-E (High Torque Economy) engine featuring a modified cylinder head running a high 10.5:1 compression ratio and distinct yellow rocker cover. The high compression puts increased thermal stress on the thin alloy cylinder head. If the cooling system develops limescale buildup or the electric fan fails, the head quickly overheats and warps, blowing the head gasket between cylinders two and three.
- Rear Leaf Spring Shackle and Mounting Plate Corrosion(Moderate)
Although the Rialto's main chassis rails were galvanised from the factory, the rear suspension mounting plates, spring shackle pins, and steel U-bolts were not galvanised to the same thickness. Electrolytic reaction between dissimilar metals and road salt causes heavy corrosion around the rear spring eyes. Worn rubber bushes allow the spring leaves to twist, causing axle tramp under acceleration and unpredictable rear-end breakaway.
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RELIANT RIALTO 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 1987 model year cars.
- Front Suspension Swing-Arm and Steering Bush WearModerate
The single front wheel on the Rialto is mounted on an unsprung leading/trailing swing-arm arrangement carrying the full weight of braking and cornering. Road potholes and speed cushions accelerate wear on the front pivot needle roller bearings and steering headstock bushes. Neglected grease lubrication leads to excessive slack, causing vagueness in the steering, front tyre scuffing, and severe MOT failure.
- HT-E High-Compression Cylinder Head WarpageModerate
In 1984, the Rialto 2 adopted the HT-E (High Torque Economy) engine featuring a modified cylinder head running a high 10.5:1 compression ratio and distinct yellow rocker cover. The high compression puts increased thermal stress on the thin alloy cylinder head. If the cooling system develops limescale buildup or the electric fan fails, the head quickly overheats and warps, blowing the head gasket between cylinders two and three.
- Rear Leaf Spring Shackle and Mounting Plate CorrosionModerate
Although the Rialto's main chassis rails were galvanised from the factory, the rear suspension mounting plates, spring shackle pins, and steel U-bolts were not galvanised to the same thickness. Electrolytic reaction between dissimilar metals and road salt causes heavy corrosion around the rear spring eyes. Worn rubber bushes allow the spring leaves to twist, causing axle tramp under acceleration and unpredictable rear-end breakaway.
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