1971 Triumph Spitfire 1.3L Petrol · KAB 852K
1971 Triumph Spitfire (1.3L, petrol). First registered 01 Dec 1971. Recorded mileage 53,831 miles. MOT valid until 17 Mar 2027.
- Make & Model
- TRIUMPH SPITFIRE
- Year / Origin
- 1971 · Borehamwood (Luton)
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Valid until 17 Mar 2027
- Road Tax
- —
- Recorded Mileage
- 53,831 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Check Required (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
- Fuel & Engine
- Petrol · 1.3L
- 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.
KAB 852K Key Findings
- 4 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 18/03/2026
- 53,831 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 2 historical MOT failures
- No defects recorded at the latest MOT
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
KAB 852K 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 1971 Triumph Spitfire (KAB 852K) between August 2024 and March 2026.
The record contains 2 passes and 2 failures.
The most recent test on 18 March 2026 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 2 failures that buyers may want to investigate.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Brakes (1 issue), Lighting (1 issue). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
Recorded failure items include: “Position lamp switch allows the rear position lamps to be switched off when the headlamps are on (4.2.2 (a))”; “Horn not working (7.7 (a))”; “Brake performance unable to be tested Excessive brake bind on all wheels (1.2.1 (g))”.
KAB 852K Mileage History
- 27/08/202453,585 mi
- 29/08/202453,586 mi+1 mi
- 02/03/202653,831 mi+245 mi
- 18/03/202653,831 mi
Average of roughly 158 miles per year across 4 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: 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.
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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 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.
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