The picture
Trident: a strong MOT record by UK norms
Across 581 MOT tests, the Trident returns 89.0% first-time pass — comfortably ahead of the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is a non-functioning shock absorber. Brake pads worn below 1.0 mm and direction indicator lamp missing round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 30,954, 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 shock absorber not functioning or leaking severely
9 occurrences · 1.5% of tests
- 02
Brake lining or pad worn below 1.0mm
7 occurrences · 1.2% of tests
- 03
A direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
6 occurrences · 1.0% of tests
- 04
Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
4 occurrences · 0.7% of tests
- 05
A lamp missing or inoperative
4 occurrences · 0.7% of tests
- 06
A tyre valve seriously damaged or misaligned likely which could cause sudden deflation of the tyre
4 occurrences · 0.7% of tests
- 07
Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
3 occurrences · 0.5% of tests
- 08
A direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
3 occurrences · 0.5% of tests
- 09
Brake efficiency below minimum requirement
2 occurrences · 0.3% of tests
- 10
Number plate does not conform to the specified requirements
2 occurrences · 0.3% 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.
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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 Trident?
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 Trident 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.