The picture
Fat Bob: a strong MOT record by UK norms
Across 493 MOT tests, the Fat Bob returns 87.2% first-time pass — comfortably ahead of the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is stop lamp(s) remains on when the brakes. A stop-lamp out and a missing rear reflector round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 13,764, 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 stop lamp(s) remains on when the brakes are released
10 occurrences · 2.0% of tests
- 02
Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
5 occurrences · 1.0% of tests
- 03
Reflector missing or reflecting white to the rear
5 occurrences · 1.0% of tests
- 04
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
5 occurrences · 1.0% of tests
- 05
A direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
3 occurrences · 0.6% of tests
- 06
Number plate does not conform to the specified requirements
2 occurrences · 0.4% of tests
- 07
Reflector colour or position not in accordance with the requirements
2 occurrences · 0.4% of tests
- 08
A footrest missing or insecure
2 occurrences · 0.4% of tests
- 09
Steering head bearings excessively stiff, notchy, or with excessive wear or play
2 occurrences · 0.4% of tests
- 10
A tyre not fitted in accordance with the direction of rotation marked on the side wall
2 occurrences · 0.4% 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 3 failures
£76–£165
If every one of this Fat Bob'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
H7 / W21W bulb pack
A spare-bulb kit lives in the boot. Test morning is not the time to find your stop-lamp's gone.
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 Fat Bob?
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 Fat Bob 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.