This is the most common reason cars fail their MOT

Andy Wells
·Freelance Writer
·2 min read
Large sign on the doorway of an MOT testing station in the UK.
The government has proposed changing the annual MOT to every two years. (Getty)

Faulty lights and electrics are the most common reason for cars failing their MOT, Yahoo News UK analysis of Department for Transport (DfT) figures has found.

While many may be worried about obvious issues like worn tyres or brake pads, 26% of faults since 2019 that caused cars to fail MOTs were to do with 'lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment’.

The next most common reason for a failure was suspension (19%), while brakes was third (17%).

The figures show that since 2019, an average of 30% of cars brought in for their MOT have failed, with the average number of defects for cars that fail being 2.52.

Over a quarter of MOT fails were due to lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment. (Getty/stock photo)
Over a quarter of MOT fails were due to lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment. (Getty/stock photo)

Proportion of failures by defect category, 2019-2022:

  • Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment 26%

  • Suspension 19%

  • Brakes 17%

  • Tyres 12%

  • Visibility 9%

  • Body, chassis, structure 6%

  • Noise, emissions and leaks 5%

  • Steering 3%

  • Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems 2%

  • Identification of the vehicle 1%

  • Road Wheels 1%

The figures comes as drivers raised concerns that the compulsory annual MOT could be changed to every two years, under government proposals to help with the cost of living crisis.

While the government believe the plans will help struggling Brits save money amid high food and energy prices, over half of motorists (55%) believe it is a bad idea, according to polling for the RAC.

Nearly all (98%) who said it was a bad idea said the policy would result in more unsafe vehicles being on the road, while a fifth (20%) said it would lead to more crashes.

Some 58% of those surveyed also said the money-saving benefits would be lost in the long run as any problems or defects would go undetected and cost more to repair.

MOT vehicle test certificate
Over the last two years, 687 MOT testers have been banned for improper conduct. (Getty)

The average cost of an MOT for a standard sized vehicle is around £40, although garages cannot legally charge more than £54.85.

Driving without an MOT can result in a £1,000 fine and invalidation of your insurance certificate.

However, 687 MOT testers have been banned over the last two years for improper conduct and issuing fraudulent certificate, according to data from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Authority (DVSA).

The figure – a 49% rise from the previous two years (2018-2020) – may be a result of many businesses being closed during the COVID lockdowns or fully booked once they reopened.