Is the 1990 MORGAN 4/4 reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 92% of MORGAN 4/4s from 1990 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 36 tests. That's 10 points above the national average of 82%.

How much does a 1990 MORGAN 4/4 cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £1,657 (£138/month), including £1137 fuel, £265 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1990 MORGAN 4/4?

The 1990 MORGAN 4/4 has a 92% MOT pass rate based on 36 tests in 2026. This ranks 15 out of 190 cars from 1990.

Which year MORGAN 4/4 is most reliable?

The 1992 MORGAN 4/4 has the highest MOT pass rate at 98%. The least reliable year is 2010 at 85%.

MORGAN 4/4 (1990)

Q: What is the average mileage for a 1990 MORGAN 4/4?

The average mileage for a 1990 MORGAN 4/4 is 38,714 miles, which is significantly below the expected 266,400 miles for a 36-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 36 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,657

£138/month

MOT Pass Rate

92%

Excellent

Road Tax

£265

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 12-25

1597cc Petrol

Great Choice

92% pass rate, £1657/year to run. 10 points above average.

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Petrol1597cc36 years old36 tests39k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1597cc)

~42 mpg

£1,137

Road Tax

Based on 1597cc

£265

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£1,657

Per month£138/mo

Per week£32/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

92% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 10 points above the national average of 82%.

At 36 years old, 92% of MORGAN 4/4s from 1990 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 36 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 38,714 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1990 cars15th of 190(top 8%)

Rank among MORGAN models65th of 104(top 62%)

vs national average+10%(82% avg)

vs 1990 cars average+13%(79% avg)

vs MORGAN average+0%(92% avg)

Mileage Analysis

38,714

Average miles

266,400

Expected for age

The average 1990 MORGAN 4/4 has 38,714 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 266,400 miles for a 36-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 1992 model with a 98% MOT pass rate, while the 2010 model has the lowest at 85%. The 1990 sits between the two at 92%.

MORGAN 4/4 by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2018	93%	58	6,920 mi
2017	97%	72	7,979 mi
2016	86%	74	15,087 mi
2015	93%	56	9,762 mi
2014	91%	43	14,273 mi
2013	98%	40	23,620 mi
2012	92%	49	19,253 mi
2011	93%	59	22,869 mi
2010	85%	67	23,495 mi
2009	97%	64	27,310 mi
2008	92%	71	25,075 mi
2007	92%	48	22,160 mi
2006	90%	101	25,512 mi
2005	94%	36	34,902 mi
2004	85%	101	32,631 mi
2003	92%	95	27,848 mi
2002	93%	146	31,267 mi
2001	90%	123	31,005 mi
2000	92%	190	29,938 mi
1999	88%	225	31,196 mi
1998	86%	196	37,758 mi
1997	90%	147	26,958 mi
1996	96%	126	36,842 mi
1995	90%	88	35,940 mi
1994	90%	70	39,016 mi
1993	91%	45	39,520 mi
1992	98%	56	46,542 mi
1991	88%	60	45,038 mi
1990	92%	36	38,714 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

1991 · 1781cc Petrol

£1,867/year

80%

-12%

BMW 3 SERIES

1990 · 1990cc Petrol

£1,867/year

84%

-8%

ROVER MINI

1991 · 1275cc Petrol

£1,572/year

80%

-12%

FORD ESCORT

1990 · 1597cc Petrol

£1,677/year

85%

-7%

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About the 1990 MORGAN 4/4

The 1990 MORGAN 4/4 is a small family car with a 1597cc petrol engine. 36 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It ranks in the top 8% of all 1990 cars for reliability.

With an average of 38,714 miles at 36 years old, MORGAN 4/4 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver. Very low mileage could mean the car has been garaged or used only for short trips, which can cause its own issues like battery drain and moisture buildup.

1990 MORGAN 4/4 Fuel Costs

The 1597cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 42 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,137 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 1990 MORGAN 4/4?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,657 (£138/month), broken down as £1137 fuel, £265 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 92% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

MORGAN 4/4 Reliability Trend

The MORGAN 4/4 has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 0 percentage points.

Buying a Used 1990 MORGAN 4/4

At 36 years old, the MORGAN 4/4 is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 1992 model has the highest pass rate at 98%. Note: with only 36 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1990 MORGAN 4/4's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 1990 MORGAN 4/4 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
MORGAN 4/4(1990)	92%	£1137	£265	Grp 12-25	£1657
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(1991)	80%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£1867+£210
BMW 3 SERIES(1990)	84%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£1867+£210
ROVER MINI(1991)	80%	£1137	£30	Grp 8-20	£1572-£85
FORD ESCORT(1990)	85%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1677+£20

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.