The picture
Griffith 500: a strong MOT record by UK norms
Across 515 MOT tests, the Griffith 500 returns 89.7% first-time pass — comfortably ahead of the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is a torn suspension dust cover. Wiper not operating or missing and a torn steering gaiter round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 48,928, 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 suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated
8 occurrences · 1.6% of tests
- 02
Wiper not operating or missing
6 occurrences · 1.2% of tests
- 03
Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated
5 occurrences · 1.0% of tests
- 04
Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer
5 occurrences · 1.0% of tests
- 05
Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view
4 occurrences · 0.8% of tests
- 06
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
4 occurrences · 0.8% of tests
- 07
A headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED
4 occurrences · 0.8% of tests
- 08
Headlamp reflector or lens slightly defective
4 occurrences · 0.8% of tests
- 09
Emissions levels exceed default limits
4 occurrences · 0.8% of tests
- 10
An obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or rear fog lamp inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
3 occurrences · 0.6% 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
£160–£480
If every one of this Griffith 500'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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Buying or keeping a Griffith 500?
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 Griffith 500 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.