The picture
Ampera: middle-of-the-pack on first-time pass
Across 1,462 MOT tests, the Ampera returns 76.4% first-time pass — roughly in line with the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is a split CV-joint boot. A missing CV-joint boot and the engine warning light staying lit round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 90,266, 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 transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot severely deteriorated
120 occurrences · 8.2% of tests
- 02
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
77 occurrences · 5.3% of tests
- 03
Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction
64 occurrences · 4.4% of tests
- 04
A direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
42 occurrences · 2.9% of tests
- 05
A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
42 occurrences · 2.9% of tests
- 06
A tyre seriously damaged
33 occurrences · 2.3% of tests
- 07
A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources
32 occurrences · 2.2% of tests
- 08
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
32 occurrences · 2.2% of tests
- 09
Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view
25 occurrences · 1.7% of tests
- 10
A tyre cords visible or damaged
25 occurrences · 1.7% 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.
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Buying or keeping a Ampera?
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 Ampera 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.