1988 Reliant Scimitar 1.6L Petrol · E55 JPD

The Reliant Scimitar presents a stable and well-maintained roadworthiness profile. The most recent MOT, conducted on 19 July 2025 at 47,019 miles, passed with zero defects, indicating the vehicle met all safety and emissions standards at that time. The maintenance trend is clearly improving. A failure recorded on 29 May 2024 at 47,000 miles for excessive hydrocarbon emissions was rectified before the very next test just two days later on 31 May 2024, which passed cleanly. This swift correction suggests attentive ownership rather than a chronic mechanical issue. The mileage accumulation is exceptionally low for a vehicle approaching 38 years of age. Between the 2022 test at 46,896 miles and the 2025 test at 47,019 miles, a span of over three years, the car covered just 123 miles. The annual average sits at roughly 1,237 miles, confirming very light use. Such minimal mileage often points to long periods of standing, which carries its own risks, including deteriorated rubber components, stale fuel, and surface corrosion on brake components despite the low recorded distance. Despite the clean recent record, a buyer should conduct a thorough physical inspection focusing on age-related deterioration. The 2024 emissions failure, though quickly resolved, warrants checking the exhaust system for corrosion and verifying the condition of the catalytic converter if fitted. Standing periods demand close scrutiny of all rubber suspension bushes, tyre sidewalls, and coolant hoses for perishing. Brake calipers and discs should be inspected for binding or surface corrosion, and the fuel tank and lines must be checked for rust given the vehicle's age and low mileage profile.