1980 Triumph Spitfire 1.5L Petrol · EBX 247W
1980 Triumph Spitfire (1.5L, petrol). First registered 14 Oct 1980. Recorded mileage 4,997 miles. MOT expired on 25 Sept 2025.
- Make & Model
- TRIUMPH SPITFIRE
- Year / Origin
- 1980 · Chelmsford
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Expired on 25 Sept 2025
- Road Tax
- —
- Recorded Mileage
- 4,997 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Check Required (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
- Fuel & Engine
- Petrol · 1.5L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
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EBX 247W Key Findings
- 5 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT failed on 09/10/2025
- 4,997 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 2 historical MOT failures
- 7 defects noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring lighting items (7 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
EBX 247W MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
5 MOT tests are recorded for this 1980 Triumph Spitfire (EBX 247W) between September 2022 and October 2025.
The record contains 3 passes and 2 failures.
The most recent test on 09 October 2025 was a fail; the vehicle has not passed its last recorded MOT.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Lighting (7 issues), Suspension (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: “Nearside All direction indicators not working hazzard lights not flashing (4.4.1 (a) (ii))”; “Nearside Position lamp not working front and rear (4.2.1 (a) (ii))”; “Offside Position lamp not working front and rear (4.2.1 (a) (ii))”.
EBX 247W Mileage History
- 10/09/20223,943 mi
- 14/09/20234,193 mi+250 mi
- 15/09/20234,193 mi
- 27/09/20244,828 mi+635 mi
- 09/10/20254,997 mi+169 mi
Average of roughly 342 miles per year across 5 recorded odometer readings.
Technical Specifications
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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: 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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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 1980 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.
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