Common MOT failure reasons
50 most frequent reasons for MOT failure in 2024, from DVSA data.
| # | Reason | Count |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 2,005,050 |
| 2 | a rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources | 1,574,433 |
| 3 | windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view | 1,421,945 |
| 4 | tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements | 1,267,267 |
| 5 | a suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated | 1,098,132 |
| 6 | a tyre seriously damaged | 1,092,938 |
| 7 | the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 966,874 |
| 8 | a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened | 893,834 |
| 9 | a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 887,660 |
| 10 | a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm | 834,830 |
| 11 | a transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot severely deteriorated | 815,970 |
| 12 | wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen | 746,763 |
| 13 | a suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 730,844 |
| 14 | windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen | 670,831 |
| 15 | a tyre cords visible or damaged | 657,300 |
| 16 | headlamp reflector or lens slightly defective | 645,610 |
| 17 | wiper blade defective | 624,773 |
| 18 | a transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 608,413 |
| 19 | stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 540,435 |
| 20 | parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement | 535,272 |
| 21 | steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated | 532,597 |
| 22 | a steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play | 514,214 |
| 23 | engine mil illuminated indicating a malfunction | 504,754 |
| 24 | a headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of led | 487,343 |
| 25 | the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired | 453,220 |
| 26 | brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded | 449,969 |
| 27 | significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake | 425,854 |
| 28 | exhaust system leaking or insecure | 415,127 |
| 29 | a shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage | 378,335 |
| 30 | a rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps | 357,831 |
| 31 | brake disc or drum significantly and obviously worn | 315,772 |
| 32 | obligatory mirror or device slightly damaged or loose | 315,555 |
| 33 | steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 300,549 |
| 34 | lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements | 292,798 |
| 35 | a direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 274,043 |
| 36 | parking brake inoperative on one side | 244,390 |
| 37 | brakes imbalance across an axle such that the braking effort from any wheel is less than 70% of the maximum effort recorded from the other wheel on the same axle. | 217,861 |
| 38 | lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer | 217,039 |
| 39 | vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced | 199,092 |
| 40 | a lens defective which has no effect on emitted light | 190,321 |
| 41 | an obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or rear fog lamp inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 184,379 |
| 42 | emissions test unable to be completed | 171,689 |
| 43 | a battery insecure but not likely to fall from carrier | 171,365 |
| 44 | an srs malfunction indicator lamp (mil) indicates a system malfunction | 168,468 |
| 45 | warning device shows system malfunction | 167,411 |
| 46 | a lamp with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning | 162,308 |
| 47 | emissions levels exceed default limits | 161,271 |
| 48 | parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value | 152,101 |
| 49 | excessive fluctuation in brake effort through each wheel revolution. | 147,535 |
| 50 | a suspension component excessively damaged or corroded | 146,220 |