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OJB 487L

1973 Triumph Spitfire

Blue Petrol 1296cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires13 Oct 2026
Tests28 (18 pass, 10 fail)
Pass rate64.3%

Mileage

79,908 mi
Last recorded79,908 miles
Recorded on14 Oct 2025
Typical for 1973 Triumph Spitfire50,358 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Triumph
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Finance
Write-off
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationOJB 487L
MakeTriumph
ModelSpitfire
Year1973
ColourBlue
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,296cc

All premium checks include

50+ data points
Finance Check (Experian) Insurance Write-off Salvage Auction Stolen Check Previous Owners Ex-Taxi, Police, NHS Mileage Anomaly Import / Export Scrapped Check Plate Changes

MOT History

18 pass 10 fail
Pass 14 Oct 2025 79,908 miles
Pass 25 Jun 2024 78,996 miles
Pass 2 Jun 2023 77,679 miles
Pass 16 Nov 2021 76,162 miles

Front Wheel bearing has slight play o/s & n/s (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Hydraulic leak, but not excessive Clutch master cylinder (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Fail 3 Nov 2021 76,099 miles

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength Roll bar mount (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Parking brake lever has excessive movement indicating incorrect adjustment (1.1.6 (c))

Steering column has excessive movement up and down (2.2.2 (a))

Front Wheel bearing has slight play o/s & n/s (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Hydraulic leak, but not excessive Clutch master cylinder (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Pass 5 Dec 2020 74,585 miles

Front Wheel bearing has slight play o/s & n/s (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge 3mm & slightly out of shape (5.2.3 (e))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Fail 25 Nov 2020 74,584 miles

Driver's view of the road through the swept area of the windscreen materially affected by an obstruction Wipers blades (3.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Parking brake lever has excessive movement indicating incorrect adjustment (1.1.6 (c))

Nearside Front Passenger's seat insecure (6.2.6 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Stop lamp(s) all not working (4.3.1 (a) (iii)) DANGEROUS

Front Wheel bearing has slight play o/s & n/s (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge 3mm & slightly out of shape (5.2.3 (e))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Fail 2 Sep 2020 74,453 miles

Brake prescribed area is excessively corroded Brake pedal mount (1.1.21 (e) (i))

Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength Roll bar mount, chassis (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Upper Macpherson strut top bush or bearing has excessive wear or free play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

Offside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Parking brake lever has excessive movement indicating incorrect adjustment (1.1.6 (c))

Clutch pedal rubber missing

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge 3mm (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Spare tyre defective Flat ()

Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Pass 7 Sep 2019 73,442 miles

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Fail 4 Sep 2019 73,442 miles

Brake lever has insufficient reserve travel (1.1.2 (a))

Brake master cylinder insecure (1.1.10 (c))

Brake pedal has insufficient reserve travel (1.1.2 (a))

Brake performance not tested No pedal (1.2.1 (g))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Pass 16 Nov 2017 72,983 miles

Front Oil leak engine ()

Fail 10 Nov 2017 72,975 miles

Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play both sides (2.5.A.3c)

Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Offside Front Driver's seat insecure (6.2.A.1)

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 2 (3.7.B.5b)

Front Oil leak engine ()

Pass 9 Nov 2016 72,507 miles

Front slight play in steering

oil leak

Pass 6 Nov 2015 72,497 miles
Pass 11 Nov 2014 72,358 miles
Pass 12 Nov 2013 71,984 miles

both rear tyres cracking

Pass 8 Nov 2012 71,702 miles
Pass 11 Nov 2011 71,572 miles
Fail 8 Nov 2011 71,572 miles

Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle (6.2.B.1b)

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Front Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Pass 20 Oct 2010 71,320 miles

slight wear n/s lower trunnion

Fail 20 Oct 2010 71,313 miles

Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle (6.2.B.1b)

Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering (6.1.A.1)

Offside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

slight wear n/s lower trunnion

Pass 11 Nov 2009 71,254 miles
Fail 10 Nov 2009 71,246 miles

Nearside Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle (6.2.B.1b)

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

Pass 18 Jul 2008 71,087 miles
Fail 16 Jul 2008 71,082 miles

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside Front wheel bearing has excessive play (2.5.A.3c)

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

Pass 23 Jun 2007 69,113 miles
Pass 23 Jun 2006 66,773 miles
Fail 23 Jun 2006 66,773 miles

Offside Rear wheel cylinder leaking (3.6.A.1)

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

Service brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

Offside Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

How Reliable is the Triumph Spitfire?

Based on 69,541 MOT tests across 8,423 vehicles.

72.5%
Pass Rate
302
Miles/Year
63
Year Lifespan
8,423
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 4,320
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded 2,718
brake binding 2,431
Stop lamp not working 2,126
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 1,894
Full Triumph Spitfire reliability report

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Not all vehicle check providers are the same. Some don't offer a data guarantee, which means if their information is wrong, you're on your own. Every CarVerify report is backed by a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

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OJB 487L is a 1973 Triumph Spitfire in Blue with a 1,296cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 28 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 64.3%.

Across all 1973 Triumph Spitfire models, the average MOT pass rate is 72.4% with a typical mileage of 50,358 miles. This particular vehicle has a lower pass rate than the average for its year, which may indicate maintenance issues worth investigating.

The most common reason a Triumph Spitfire fails its MOT is parking brake: efficiency below requirements, accounting for 4,320 recorded failures. If you're considering buying OJB 487L, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Triumph Spitfire typically stays on UK roads for around 63 years. At 53 years old, this Triumph Spitfire is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of OJB 487L?

You can check the full history of OJB 487L by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was OJB 487L registered?

OJB 487L is a 1973 Triumph Spitfire, first registered on 16 May 1973.

Is OJB 487L safe to buy?

The MOT history for OJB 487L shows 28 tests with a 64.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does OJB 487L have outstanding finance?

Finance checks require a premium vehicle report. This checks against all major UK finance providers to see if there is any outstanding finance on OJB 487L. If you buy a car with outstanding finance, the finance company can repossess it.

No warranty or guarantee of accuracy is provided for any free data on this page. The data guarantee applies only to information obtained through the purchase of a full check.