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VSF 790J

1971 Austin Healey Sprite

Red Petrol 1275cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires8 Sep 2024
Tests21 (14 pass, 7 fail)
Pass rate66.7%

Mileage

34,382 mi
Last recorded34,382 miles
Recorded on9 Sep 2023
Typical for 1971 Austin Healey Sprite34,161 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Austin Healey
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationVSF 790J
MakeAustin Healey
ModelSprite
Year1971
ColourRed
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,275cc

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

14 pass 7 fail
Pass 9 Sep 2023 34,382 miles
Pass 4 Jul 2018 33,591 miles

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

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

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

Fail 25 Jun 2018 33,591 miles

Nearside Rear Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))

Nearside Rear Service brake effort inadequate at a wheel (1.2.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (3.5 (a))

Offside Obligatory mirror insecure (3.3 (b) (ii))

Parking (secondary brake) on a single line braking system imbalanced across an axle Axle 1 (1.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 2 (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Brake hydraulic reservoir fluid not visible (1.1.10 (d) (iii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Rear Hydraulic fluid leaking continuously posing a serious risk to road safety Brake (8.4.1 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

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

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

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

Pass 21 Jun 2017 33,451 miles

Offside Seat belt damaged but webbing not significantly weakened (5.2.2a)

Slight lift in offside and nearside front trunion bushes

Pass 28 Jun 2016 33,332 miles

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

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

Oil filler cap refitted prior to test

Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Spare tyre defective ()

Fail 24 Jun 2016 33,332 miles

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

Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.5a)

Nearside rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a)

Offside Front Direction indicator not working (1.4.A.2c)

Offside Rear Direction indicator flashing less than 60 times a minute (1.4.A.2g)

Offside Rear Leaf spring has excessive wear in a shackle pin and/or bush (2.4.B.2)

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

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

rear brake application uneven (3.7.B.2)

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

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

Oil filler cap refitted prior to test

Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Pass 23 Jun 2015 33,139 miles

Nearside Front Axle king pin has slight play in pin and/or bush (2.5.A.3a)

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Offside Front Axle king pin has slight play in pin and/or bush (2.5.A.3a)

Offside Seat belt damaged but webbing not significantly weakened (5.2.2a)

Fail 23 Jun 2015 33,139 miles

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

Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.5a)

Nearside rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a)

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

Nearside Front Axle king pin has slight play in pin and/or bush (2.5.A.3a)

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Offside Front Axle king pin has slight play in pin and/or bush (2.5.A.3a)

Offside Seat belt damaged but webbing not significantly weakened (5.2.2a)

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Pass 3 Jun 2014 32,866 miles
Fail 3 Jun 2014 32,866 miles

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

Nearside Seat belt insecurely fixed to the vehicles structure (5.2.1a)

Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.5a)

Nearside rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a)

Offside Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.C.1d)

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

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

Pass 4 Jun 2013 32,791 miles

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

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

Oil leak

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

wiper blades deteriorating

Pass 26 Jun 2012 32,712 miles

Oil leak

slight play in front suspension

Pass 3 Jun 2011 32,643 miles

Offside Front Seat belt damaged but webbing not significantly weakened (5.2.2a)

Oil leak

Fail 3 Jun 2011 32,643 miles

Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.5a)

Nearside rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a)

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

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

Offside Front Seat belt damaged but webbing not significantly weakened (5.2.2a)

Pass 18 Jun 2010 32,504 miles

Offside Seat belt damaged but webbing not significantly weakened (5.2.2a)

Oil leak

Pass 13 May 2009 32,424 miles
Pass 11 Jun 2008 32,350 miles

Coolant leak

Nail in offside rear tyre

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

slight play in steering rack ends

Fail 22 Apr 2008 32,330 miles

Direction indicator excessively damaged so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance (1.4.A.2e)

Exhaust emits excessive dense blue smoke during acceleration (7.3.A.2c)

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

Steering column top bearing excessively worn (2.1.2c)

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

Both rear tyres bedly perished and starting to crack

Both rear tyres on legal limit

N/S/F tyre worn close to legal limit

Nail in O/S/R tyre

Play in steering rack

Water pump leaking coolant

Pass 24 Apr 2007 32,224 miles

Exhaust noisy (7.1.4)

Oil leak

Pass 10 May 2006 32,127 miles
Fail 10 May 2006 32,127 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (hotspot centre above the horizontal 0% line) (1.6.C1)

Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Offside Headlamp aim too high (hotspot centre above the horizontal 0% line) (1.6.C1)

Offside Front Brake pipe fouled by moving parts (3.6.B.2a)

How Reliable is the Austin Healey Sprite?

Based on 8,300 MOT tests across 969 vehicles.

80.0%
Pass Rate
246
Miles/Year
68
Year Lifespan
969
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 220
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 214
Stop lamp not working 192
Brakes imbalanced across an axle 149
brake binding 119
Full Austin Healey Sprite 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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VSF 790J is a 1971 Austin Healey Sprite in Red with a 1,275cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 21 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 66.7%.

Across all 1971 Austin Healey Sprite models, the average MOT pass rate is 78.8% with a typical mileage of 34,161 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 Austin Healey Sprite fails its MOT is parking brake: efficiency below requirements, accounting for 220 recorded failures. If you're considering buying VSF 790J, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Austin Healey Sprite typically stays on UK roads for around 68 years. At 55 years old, this Austin Healey Sprite is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of VSF 790J?

You can check the full history of VSF 790J by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was VSF 790J registered?

VSF 790J is a 1971 Austin Healey Sprite, first registered on 28 May 1971.

Is VSF 790J safe to buy?

The MOT history for VSF 790J shows 21 tests with a 66.7% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does VSF 790J 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 VSF 790J. 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.