The picture
720s V8 S-A: a strong MOT record by UK norms
Across 490 MOT tests, the 720s V8 S-A returns 93.9% first-time pass — comfortably ahead of the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is windscreen or window excessively tinted. A broken or weak spring and number plate missing round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 11,210, 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
Windscreen or window excessively tinted but not adversely affecting driver's view
10 occurrences · 2.0% of tests
- 02
A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
3 occurrences · 0.6% of tests
- 03
Number plate missing or so insecure that it is likely to fall off
2 occurrences · 0.4% of tests
- 04
A lamp not securely attached
2 occurrences · 0.4% of tests
- 05
A tyre cords visible or damaged
2 occurrences · 0.4% of tests
- 06
An obvious leak from any part of the system
2 occurrences · 0.4% of tests
- 07
A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage
2 occurrences · 0.4% of tests
- 08
Emissions test unable to be completed
2 occurrences · 0.4% of tests
- 09
Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement
1 occurrences · 0.2% of tests
- 10
Number plate does not conform to the specified requirements
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 3 failures
£155–£370
If every one of this 720s V8 S A'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 →
Try the calculator
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 720s V8 S A?
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 720s V8 S A 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.