The picture
959: a strong MOT record by UK norms
Across 482 MOT tests, the 959 returns 91.5% first-time pass — comfortably ahead of the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is tyre tread under the limit. A non-conforming number plate and a missing rear reflector round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 7,310, 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
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
4 occurrences · 0.8% of tests
- 02
Number plate does not conform to the specified requirements
3 occurrences · 0.6% of tests
- 03
Reflector missing or reflecting white to the rear
3 occurrences · 0.6% of tests
- 04
A direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
2 occurrences · 0.4% of tests
- 05
A transmission belt, chain, sprocket or pulley excessively loose or worn
2 occurrences · 0.4% of tests
- 06
Number plate showing an incorrect registration
1 occurrences · 0.2% of tests
- 07
Brake lining or pad worn below 1.0mm
1 occurrences · 0.2% of tests
- 08
A brake lining or pad contaminated with oil, grease etc
1 occurrences · 0.2% of tests
- 09
Excessive fluctuation in brake effort through each wheel revolution
1 occurrences · 0.2% of tests
- 10
A headlamp missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED
1 occurrences · 0.2% 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
£75–£130
If every one of this 959'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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Build your own retest budget.
Tools that pre-empt a retest.
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.
Item 01 · Amazon UK
Digital tyre-tread depth gauge
Five quid for a gauge beats £150 for a retest. UK MOT minimum is 1.6mm — most testers fail anything below 2mm to be safe.
Search Amazon UK
Item 02 · Amazon UK
MOT-spec replacement number plate
Faded or non-standard plates fail outright. Replacements take ten minutes online with V5C details.
Search Amazon UK
Buying or keeping a 959?
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 959 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.