The picture
Caliber: a below-average pass rate worth digging into
Across 1,588 MOT tests, the Caliber returns 58.4% first-time pass — near the bottom of the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is worn suspension bushes. A lamp out and worn suspension bushes round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 93,965, 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
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
135 occurrences · 8.5% of tests
- 02
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
124 occurrences · 7.8% of tests
- 03
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
122 occurrences · 7.7% of tests
- 04
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
109 occurrences · 6.9% of tests
- 05
A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources
108 occurrences · 6.8% of tests
- 06
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
99 occurrences · 6.2% of tests
- 07
A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play
92 occurrences · 5.8% of tests
- 08
A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage
88 occurrences · 5.5% of tests
- 09
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
79 occurrences · 5.0% of tests
- 10
Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
64 occurrences · 4.0% 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 4 failures
£228–£695
If every one of this Caliber'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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Picked against this car's top failure patterns. Affiliate links to Amazon UK — we earn a small cut at no cost to you. Disclosed up-front, doesn't shape the data.
Buying or keeping a Caliber?
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 Caliber 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.