The picture
Corvette: a strong MOT record by UK norms
Across 474 MOT tests, the Corvette returns 85.9% first-time pass — comfortably ahead of the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is lamp emitted colour, position. A binding brake and a torn steering gaiter round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 45,479, which is the lens to read those failure rankings through. If you own one and the next test is close, the ranked list below is a sensible pre-test checklist.
Top ten reasons for rejection.
- 01
Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements
9 occurrences · 1.9% of tests
- 02
Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
8 occurrences · 1.7% of tests
- 03
Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated
8 occurrences · 1.7% of tests
- 04
A suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated
8 occurrences · 1.7% of tests
- 05
A direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
7 occurrences · 1.5% of tests
- 06
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
7 occurrences · 1.5% of tests
- 07
Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value
6 occurrences · 1.3% of tests
- 08
Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer
6 occurrences · 1.3% of tests
- 09
Front or rear fog lamp switch inoperative or not operating in accordance with the requirements
6 occurrences · 1.3% of tests
- 10
Number plate does not conform to the specified requirements
5 occurrences · 1.1% of tests
Counts cover Major and Dangerous defects logged at test. Advisory items excluded so this shows why a car was rejected, not just what the tester flagged in passing.
Worst-case fix budget · top 2 failures
£160–£480
If every one of this Corvette's most-logged Major fails hit at the same MOT, that's the real-world UK garage range. Reality is usually one or two items, not all of them. Open the estimator →
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Buying or keeping a Corvette?
Use the failure ranking as a pre-test checklist or a haggling lever. Treat the headline pass rate as a fleet-wide trend, not a guarantee on any individual car.
If you own a Corvette and your last MOT looked nothing like the ranked failures above, that's normal — individual cars vary widely. The ranking shows the patterns testers flag most often across the country.