The picture
Cabstar: a below-average pass rate worth digging into
Across 14,369 MOT tests, the Cabstar returns 61.4% first-time pass — well below the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is windscreen damage. A weak handbrake and a worn shock-absorber bush round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 88,358, 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 damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view
1,458 occurrences · 10.1% of tests
- 02
Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement
1,415 occurrences · 9.8% of tests
- 03
A shock absorber bush excessively worn
1,125 occurrences · 7.8% of tests
- 04
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
1,012 occurrences · 7.0% of tests
- 05
A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources
953 occurrences · 6.6% of tests
- 06
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
866 occurrences · 6.0% of tests
- 07
Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value
777 occurrences · 5.4% of tests
- 08
Service brake efficiency below minimum requirement
759 occurrences · 5.3% of tests
- 09
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
695 occurrences · 4.8% of tests
- 10
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
678 occurrences · 4.7% 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
£88–£275
If every one of this Cabstar'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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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.
Buying or keeping a Cabstar?
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 Cabstar 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.