1972 Triumph Spitfire 1.3L Petrol · PXF 217L
1972 Triumph Spitfire (1.3L, petrol). First registered 22 Sept 1972. Recorded mileage 88,833 miles. MOT expired on 04 Jun 2024.
- Make & Model
- TRIUMPH SPITFIRE
- Year / Origin
- 1972 · Carlisle
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Expired on 04 Jun 2024
- Road Tax
- —
- Recorded Mileage
- 88,833 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.
PXF 217L Key Findings
- 13 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 06/06/2023
- 88,833 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 2 historical MOT failures
- No defects recorded at the latest MOT
- Recurring suspension items (5 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
PXF 217L MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
13 MOT tests are recorded for this 1972 Triumph Spitfire (PXF 217L) between April 2010 and June 2023.
The record contains 11 passes and 2 failures.
The most recent test on 06 June 2023 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: Suspension (5 issues), Lighting (5 issues), Steering (2 issues), Tyres (2 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 14 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: “Horn not working (1.6.2a)”.
PXF 217L Mileage History
- 16/04/201082,013 mi
- 08/04/201182,897 mi+884 mi
- 08/04/201182,897 mi
- 21/05/201283,201 mi+304 mi
- 03/06/201383,208 mi+7 mi
- 16/05/201483,638 mi+430 mi
- 16/06/201586,483 mi+2,845 mi
- 16/06/201586,483 mi
- 16/03/201687,935 mi+1,452 mi
- 01/03/201888,273 mi+338 mi
- 10/08/202088,315 mi+42 mi
- 26/05/202288,483 mi+168 mi
- 06/06/202388,833 mi+350 mi
Average of roughly 519 miles per year across 13 recorded odometer readings.
Technical Specifications
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Identification & Status
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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.
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 1972 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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