The picture
Diavel: a strong MOT record by UK norms
Across 1,071 MOT tests, the Diavel returns 89.9% first-time pass — comfortably ahead of the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is a non-conforming number plate. A non-functioning shock absorber and tyre tread under the limit round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 11,558, 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
Number plate does not conform to the specified requirements
16 occurrences · 1.5% of tests
- 02
A shock absorber not functioning or leaking severely
13 occurrences · 1.2% of tests
- 03
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
9 occurrences · 0.8% of tests
- 04
Reflector missing or reflecting white to the rear
6 occurrences · 0.6% of tests
- 05
Excessive fluctuation in brake effort through each wheel revolution
5 occurrences · 0.5% of tests
- 06
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
4 occurrences · 0.4% of tests
- 07
Audible warning not working
4 occurrences · 0.4% of tests
- 08
A shock absorber not functioning or leaking severely
4 occurrences · 0.4% of tests
- 09
Brake lining or pad worn below 1.0mm
3 occurrences · 0.3% of tests
- 10
Steering head bearings have excessive wear or play
3 occurrences · 0.3% 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 Diavel'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
MOT-spec replacement number plate
Faded or non-standard plates fail outright. Replacements take ten minutes online with V5C details.
Search Amazon UK
Item 02 · 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
Buying or keeping a Diavel?
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 Diavel 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.