Is the 1997 MORGAN 4/4 reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 90% of MORGAN 4/4s from 1997 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 147 tests. That's 8 points above the national average of 82%.

How much does a 1997 MORGAN 4/4 cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £1,897 (£158/month), including £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1997 MORGAN 4/4?

The 1997 MORGAN 4/4 has a 90% MOT pass rate based on 147 tests in 2026. This ranks 36 out of 320 cars from 1997.

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 (1997)

Q: What is the average mileage for a 1997 MORGAN 4/4?

The average mileage for a 1997 MORGAN 4/4 is 26,958 miles, which is significantly below the expected 214,600 miles for a 29-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 147 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,897

£158/month

MOT Pass Rate

90%

Excellent

Road Tax

£315

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1796cc Petrol

Great Choice

90% pass rate, £1897/year to run. 8 points above average.

Buying this car? Check for finance, write-offs & theft

£4.99

Check a specific MORGAN 4/4

Enter a reg plate for full MOT history, mileage check, health score, running costs, and reliability data. Free, instant, no signup.

Petrol1796cc29 years old147 tests27k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1796cc)

~36 mpg

£1,327

Road Tax

Based on 1796cc

£315

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£1,897

Per month£158/mo

Per week£36/wk

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

🛡️

Get an insurance quote for this MORGAN 4/4

Compare quotes and find the best deal

Reliability Verdict

90% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 8 points above the national average of 82%.

At 29 years old, 90% of MORGAN 4/4s from 1997 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 147 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 26,958 miles.

Got a MORGAN 4/4 you're looking at?

Enter the reg plate to check its specific MOT history, mileage, and health score.

How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1997 cars36th of 320(top 11%)

Rank among MORGAN models71th of 104(top 68%)

vs national average+8%(82% avg)

vs 1997 cars average+15%(75% avg)

vs MORGAN average-2%(92% avg)

Mileage Analysis

26,958

Average miles

214,600

Expected for age

The average 1997 MORGAN 4/4 has 26,958 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 214,600 miles for a 29-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

Looking at a specific MORGAN 4/4?

Enter its reg plate for a free check with full MOT history, mileage verification, and predicted costs.

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 1997 sits between the two at 90%.

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

MAZDA MX-5

1999 · 1600cc Petrol

£1,827/year

73%

-17%

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

1999 · 1781cc Petrol

£2,017/year

71%

-19%

NISSAN MICRA

1999 · 1298cc Petrol

£1,722/year

70%

-20%

BMW 3 SERIES

1998 · 1796cc Petrol

£2,017/year

79%

-11%

Check a Specific Morgan 4/4

Enter a reg plate to get the full MOT history, health score, and mileage verification.

Upgrade to Premium (£4.99) for stolen, finance, and write-off checks.

About the 1997 MORGAN 4/4

The 1997 MORGAN 4/4 is a family car with a 1796cc petrol engine. 147 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It ranks in the top 11% of all 1997 cars for reliability.

With an average of 26,958 miles at 29 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.

1997 MORGAN 4/4 Fuel Costs

The 1796cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 36 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,327 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 1997 MORGAN 4/4?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,897 (£158/month), broken down as £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 90% 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 1997 MORGAN 4/4

At 29 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%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1997 MORGAN 4/4's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 29 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.

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 1997 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(1997)	90%	£1327	£315	Grp 18-32	£1897
MAZDA MX-5(1999)	73%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1827-£70
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(1999)	71%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£2017+£120
NISSAN MICRA(1999)	70%	£1137	£30	Grp 8-20	£1722-£175
BMW 3 SERIES(1998)	79%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£2017+£120

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.