The picture
Idea: a below-average pass rate worth digging into
Across 614 MOT tests, the Idea returns 63.8% first-time pass — well below the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is a split CV-joint boot. A defective headlamp lens and the strength or continuity of the load bearing round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 80,796, 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 transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot severely deteriorated
55 occurrences · 9.0% of tests
- 02
Headlamp reflector or lens slightly defective
35 occurrences · 5.7% of tests
- 03
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
32 occurrences · 5.2% of tests
- 04
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
29 occurrences · 4.7% of tests
- 05
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
29 occurrences · 4.7% of tests
- 06
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
26 occurrences · 4.2% of tests
- 07
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
25 occurrences · 4.1% of tests
- 08
A shock absorber bush excessively worn
21 occurrences · 3.4% of tests
- 09
A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources
20 occurrences · 3.3% of tests
- 10
A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
20 occurrences · 3.3% 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
£70–£260
If every one of this Idea'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 Idea?
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 Idea 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.