The picture
Burstner: a strong MOT record by UK norms
Across 864 MOT tests, the Burstner returns 88.7% first-time pass — comfortably ahead of the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is a lamp out. An airbag warning light and a weak handbrake round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 19,647, 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 lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
12 occurrences · 1.4% of tests
- 02
An SRS malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) indicates a system malfunction
10 occurrences · 1.2% of tests
- 03
Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement
7 occurrences · 0.8% of tests
- 04
Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view
7 occurrences · 0.8% of tests
- 05
A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources
7 occurrences · 0.8% of tests
- 06
Service brake efficiency below minimum requirement
6 occurrences · 0.7% of tests
- 07
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
6 occurrences · 0.7% of tests
- 08
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
5 occurrences · 0.6% of tests
- 09
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
5 occurrences · 0.6% of tests
- 10
Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
4 occurrences · 0.5% 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.
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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 Burstner?
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 Burstner 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.