1973 Lancia Beta 1.6L Petrol · TPB 609M
1973 Lancia Beta (1.6L, petrol). First registered 29 Aug 1973. Recorded mileage 36,257 miles. MOT expired on 26 Jul 2023.
- Make & Model
- LANCIA BETA
- Year / Origin
- 1973
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Expired on 26 Jul 2023
- Road Tax
- —
- Recorded Mileage
- 36,257 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Check Required (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
- Fuel & Engine
- Petrol · 1.6L
- 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.
TPB 609M Key Findings
- 1 MOT test recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 28/06/2022
- 36,257 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 1 defect noted at the latest MOT
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
TPB 609M MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
1 MOT test are recorded for this 1973 Lancia Beta (TPB 609M) between June 2022 and June 2022.
The record contains 1 pass and 0 failures.
The record shows no MOT failures, although 1 advisory notice notes an item to monitor.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Brakes (1 issue). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 1 advisory notice is 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.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
Dimensions & Weights
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Known faults for Lancia Lancia Beta
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.
Common Problems: LANCIA BETA
Known issues reported by owners and MOT testers.
- Front Subframe and Bulkhead Crossmember Corrosion(Serious)
Early Series 1 Betas were constructed with untreated steel and defective scuttle drain channels that allowed rainwater to pool inside the box-section bulkhead crossmember where the rear of the front subframe anchored. Severe corrosion in this area compromised engine mount security, causing the engine to sag and preventing gear selection. The issue resulted in a 1980 UK government safety inquiry and a manufacturer buy-back programme where thousands of cars were scrapped.
- Lampredi Twin-Cam Timing Belt Snapping and Cylinder Head Damage(Serious)
All petrol Beta engines feature Aurelio Lampredi's interference twin-cam overhead valve design driven by a toothed rubber cambelt. If the belt exceeds its mandatory replacement interval of 36,000 miles or three years, or if the belt tensioner bearing seizes from age, the belt strips teeth or snaps immediately. The pistons collide with the open valves, bending valve stems, destroying valve guides and puncturing piston crowns.
- Gear Shift Linkage Bushing Degradation and Second-Gear Synchro Wear(Moderate)
The Beta's end-on five-speed manual transmission uses an external rod and bell-crank linkage system fitted with plastic and rubber bushes. Over time, engine oil leaks and age soften these bushes, causing severe lever slop, vague gate definition and difficult selection. Furthermore, enthusiastic driving wears the second-gear synchromesh baulk ring, resulting in noisy crunching on quick downshifts when the gearbox oil is cold.
Plate Neighbors
Batch Registration Neighbors (TPB6 Series)
Vehicles registered in the same regional DVLA batch as TPB609M.
LANCIA BETA 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 1973 model year cars.
- Front Subframe and Bulkhead Crossmember CorrosionSerious
Early Series 1 Betas were constructed with untreated steel and defective scuttle drain channels that allowed rainwater to pool inside the box-section bulkhead crossmember where the rear of the front subframe anchored. Severe corrosion in this area compromised engine mount security, causing the engine to sag and preventing gear selection. The issue resulted in a 1980 UK government safety inquiry and a manufacturer buy-back programme where thousands of cars were scrapped.
- Lampredi Twin-Cam Timing Belt Snapping and Cylinder Head DamageSerious
All petrol Beta engines feature Aurelio Lampredi's interference twin-cam overhead valve design driven by a toothed rubber cambelt. If the belt exceeds its mandatory replacement interval of 36,000 miles or three years, or if the belt tensioner bearing seizes from age, the belt strips teeth or snaps immediately. The pistons collide with the open valves, bending valve stems, destroying valve guides and puncturing piston crowns.
- Gear Shift Linkage Bushing Degradation and Second-Gear Synchro WearModerate
The Beta's end-on five-speed manual transmission uses an external rod and bell-crank linkage system fitted with plastic and rubber bushes. Over time, engine oil leaks and age soften these bushes, causing severe lever slop, vague gate definition and difficult selection. Furthermore, enthusiastic driving wears the second-gear synchromesh baulk ring, resulting in noisy crunching on quick downshifts when the gearbox oil is cold.
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