MOT cost .

Failure category

Lights & lamps

Lamps, indicators, plate lighting, headlamp aim and reflectors. The single largest UK MOT failure category by raw count — most fixes are bulb-cheap, plate-lamp-easy.

Defect codes

173

Total fails

3,929,028

Defect codes in this category, ranked.

Sorted by total cars affected last year. Click any row for the full defect description plus the models most at risk.

  1. 01

    A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources

    858 models affected

    1,514,421
  2. 02

    A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning

    588 models affected

    739,781
  3. 03

    Headlamp reflector or lens slightly defective

    333 models affected

    479,995
  4. 04

    Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning

    287 models affected

    351,945
  5. 05

    The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements

    318 models affected

    339,491
  6. 06

    A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps

    158 models affected

    121,487
  7. 07

    A headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED

    243 models affected

    121,088
  8. 08

    Obligatory mirror or device slightly damaged or loose

    155 models affected

    53,871
  9. 09

    A lamp with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning

    101 models affected

    37,423
  10. 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

    189 models affected

    27,916
  11. 11

    A lens defective which has no effect on emitted light

    111 models affected

    21,059
  12. 12

    Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements

    38 models affected

    18,317
  13. 13

    An SRS malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) indicates a system malfunction

    204 models affected

    16,862
  14. 14

    A direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning

    131 models affected

    10,281
  15. 15

    The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements

    218 models affected

    9,686
  16. 16

    Reflector defective or damaged by up to 50% of the reflecting surface

    84 models affected

    7,363
  17. 17

    Brake lining or pad worn down to wear indicator

    201 models affected

    5,429
  18. 18

    Stop lamp with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning

    34 models affected

    5,122
  19. 19

    The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements

    187 models affected

    5,062
  20. 20

    A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning

    30 models affected

    4,859
  21. 21

    A headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED

    36 models affected

    4,706
  22. 22

    Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning

    130 models affected

    2,933
  23. 23

    Reflector missing or reflecting white to the rear

    106 models affected

    2,448
  24. 24

    A direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning

    113 models affected

    2,292
  25. 25

    A reversing lamp inoperative

    25 models affected

    1,914
  26. 26

    A stop lamp(s) does not illuminate by the operation of both brake controls or remains on when the brakes are released

    96 models affected

    1,609
  27. 27

    A lamp missing or inoperative

    78 models affected

    1,436
  28. 28

    A headlamp missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED

    70 models affected

    1,262
  29. 29

    A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps

    65 models affected

    1,114
  30. 30

    Lamp not securely attached

    36 models affected

    1,021
  31. 31

    Headlamp reflector or lens seriously defective or missing

    7 models affected

    1,002
  32. 32

    A direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning

    32 models affected

    979
  33. 33

    Product on the lens or light source which obviously reduces light intensity or changes emitted colour to other than white or yellow

    5 models affected

    965
  34. 34

    Headlamp aim unable to be tested

    25 models affected

    909
  35. 35

    Headlamp levelling device inoperative

    15 models affected

    909
  36. 36

    A stop lamp(s) remains on when the brakes are released

    43 models affected

    867
  37. 37

    A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources

    5 models affected

    782
  38. 38

    The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements

    45 models affected

    724
  39. 39

    Headlamp reflector or lens slightly defective

    12 models affected

    717
  40. 40

    The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements

    48 models affected

    669
  41. 41

    A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning

    33 models affected

    564
  42. 42

    Rear registration plate lamp does not illuminate simultaneously with the position lamps

    36 models affected

    479
  43. 43

    A position lamp adversely affected by the operation of any other lamp

    2 models affected

    476
  44. 44

    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

    52 models affected

    438
  45. 45

    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

    10 models affected

    428
  46. 46

    A direction indicator lamp with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning

    8 models affected

    397
  47. 47

    A headlamp missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED

    30 models affected

    331
  48. 48

    Reflector colour or position not in accordance with the requirements

    31 models affected

    323
  49. 49

    Front or rear fog lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements

    10 models affected

    319
  50. 50

    A headlamp cleaning device inoperative in the case of LED or gas discharge systems (HID)

    36 models affected

    293
  51. 51

    Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements

    21 models affected

    265
  52. 52

    Stop lamps all missing or inoperative

    9 models affected

    261
  53. 53

    A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps

    23 models affected

    260
  54. 54

    Headlamp aim unable to be tested

    17 models affected

    214
  55. 55

    A direction indicator lamp with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning

    7 models affected

    196
  56. 56

    A lamp not securely attached

    16 models affected

    180
  57. 57

    A lens defective which has no effect on emitted light

    6 models affected

    145
  58. 58

    Flexible brake hose slightly damaged, chafed or twisted

    6 models affected

    126
  59. 59

    Headlamp not securely attached

    5 models affected

    122
  60. 60

    A lens defective which has no effect on emitted light

    13 models affected

    119
  61. 61

    Front or rear fog lamp switch inoperative or not operating in accordance with the requirements

    4 models affected

    116
  62. 62

    A direction indicator lamp with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning

    13 models affected

    115
  63. 63

    Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements

    6 models affected

    108
  64. 64

    Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements

    5 models affected

    107
  65. 65

    A rear registration plate lamp throwing direct white light to the rear

    14 models affected

    103
  66. 66

    Obligatory mirror or device slightly damaged or loose

    9 models affected

    95
  67. 67

    A registration plate lamp not securely attached

    5 models affected

    95
  68. 68

    A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning

    4 models affected

    90
  69. 69

    A stop lamp switch does not operate in accordance with the requirements

    9 models affected

    74
  70. 70

    A lamp with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning

    6 models affected

    62
  71. 71

    A front or rear fog lamp not securely attached

    13 models affected

    61
  72. 72

    A lens defective which has no effect on emitted light

    12 models affected

    58
  73. 73

    A mandatory tell-tale for direction indicators missing or inoperative

    8 models affected

    57
  74. 74

    Stop lamp with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning

    8 models affected

    55
  75. 75

    Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements

    7 models affected

    47
  76. 76

    Headlamp reflector or lens slightly defective

    5 models affected

    47
  77. 77

    A lens defective which has no effect on emitted light

    16 models affected

    47
  78. 78

    Indicator or hazard warning switch does not operate in accordance with the requirements

    2 models affected

    41
  79. 79

    A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning

    1 models affected

    40
  80. 80

    Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements

    4 models affected

    40
  81. 81

    A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources

    4 models affected

    36
  82. 82

    A direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning

    9 models affected

    36
  83. 83

    A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning

    1 models affected

    36
  84. 84

    A front or rear fog lamp not securely attached

    4 models affected

    33
  85. 85

    Indicator switch does not operate in accordance with the requirements

    1 models affected

    29
  86. 86

    Reflector not securely attached

    4 models affected

    29
  87. 87

    Flexible brake hose slightly damaged, chafed or twisted

    3 models affected

    26
  88. 88

    Indicator switch does not operate in accordance with the requirements

    4 models affected

    26
  89. 89

    A lens defective such that the emitted light is adversely affected

    2 models affected

    25
  90. 90

    Front or rear fog lamp switch inoperative or not operating in accordance with the requirements

    3 models affected

    25
  91. 91

    Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements

    2 models affected

    23
  92. 92

    Obligatory mirror or device slightly damaged or loose

    1 models affected

    23
  93. 93

    Headlamp reflector or lens slightly defective

    2 models affected

    23
  94. 94

    Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements

    3 models affected

    23
  95. 95

    Front or rear fog lamp switch inoperative or not operating in accordance with the requirements

    2 models affected

    22
  96. 96

    Lamp showing red light to the front, white light to the rear or has heavily reduced light intensity

    2 models affected

    20
  97. 97

    Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements

    4 models affected

    20
  98. 98

    Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning

    3 models affected

    18
  99. 99

    Lamp not securely attached

    2 models affected

    18
  100. 100

    Flexible brake hose slightly damaged, chafed or twisted

    2 models affected

    18
  101. 101

    A front or rear fog lamp with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning

    3 models affected

    17
  102. 102

    A lamp with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning

    5 models affected

    17
  103. 103

    A stop lamp position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements

    3 models affected

    17
  104. 104

    Reflector colour or position not in accordance with the requirements

    2 models affected

    16
  105. 105

    Reflector missing or reflecting white to the rear

    2 models affected

    12
  106. 106

    Brake fluid warning light illuminated or defective

    2 models affected

    12
  107. 107

    Light source and lamp not compatible

    1 models affected

    12
  108. 108

    A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources

    3 models affected

    11
  109. 109

    A front or rear fog lamp likely to become detached

    2 models affected

    10
  110. 110

    A reversing lamp lens defective

    3 models affected

    10
  111. 111

    A direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning

    1 models affected

    10
  112. 112

    The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements

    3 models affected

    10
  113. 113

    A lamp not securely attached

    1 models affected

    10
  114. 114

    A reversing lamp not securely attached

    1 models affected

    9
  115. 115

    A direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning

    1 models affected

    9
  116. 116

    Headlamp ‘on’ switch does not operate in accordance with the requirements

    1 models affected

    9
  117. 117

    A stop lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements

    1 models affected

    8
  118. 118

    Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements

    2 models affected

    8
  119. 119

    A mandatory tell-tale for direction indicators missing or inoperative

    1 models affected

    8
  120. 120

    Front or rear fog lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements

    2 models affected

    7
  121. 121

    Lamp showing red light to the front, white light to the rear or has heavily reduced light intensity

    1 models affected

    7
  122. 122

    Front or rear fog lamp switch inoperative or not operating in accordance with the requirements

    2 models affected

    7
  123. 123

    Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements

    1 models affected

    6
  124. 124

    Reflector likely to become detached

    1 models affected

    6
  125. 125

    Reversing lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements

    2 models affected

    6
  126. 126

    A lamp not securely attached

    1 models affected

    6
  127. 127

    A lens defective which has no effect on emitted light

    2 models affected

    6
  128. 128

    Lamp not securely attached

    2 models affected

    6
  129. 129

    A stop lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp

    1 models affected

    6
  130. 130

    Lamp showing red light to the front, white light to the rear or has heavily reduced light intensity

    1 models affected

    6
  131. 131

    A position lamp adversely affected by the operation of any other lamp

    2 models affected

    6
  132. 132

    A mandatory tell-tale for main beam headlamp or rear fog lamp missing or inoperative

    2 models affected

    6
  133. 133

    A lens defective such that the emitted light is adversely affected

    2 models affected

    5
  134. 134

    A lens defective such that emitted light is adversely affected

    2 models affected

    5
  135. 135

    The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements

    3 models affected

    5
  136. 136

    Indicator or hazard warning switch inoperative

    2 models affected

    5
  137. 137

    Reflector colour or position not in accordance with the requirements

    1 models affected

    4
  138. 138

    The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements

    1 models affected

    4
  139. 139

    Headlamp reflector or lens seriously defective or missing

    2 models affected

    4
  140. 140

    Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements

    2 models affected

    4
  141. 141

    Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements

    2 models affected

    4
  142. 142

    A lamp with a product on the lens or light source which obviously reduces light intensity or changes emitted colour

    1 models affected

    4
  143. 143

    A lens defective such that emitted light is adversely affected

    2 models affected

    4
  144. 144

    Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements

    1 models affected

    4
  145. 145

    Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements

    1 models affected

    4
  146. 146

    Stop lamps remain on when the brakes are released

    1 models affected

    4
  147. 147

    Electrical wiring insulation slightly damaged or deteriorated

    1 models affected

    4
  148. 148

    Flexible brake hose slightly damaged, chafed or twisted

    2 models affected

    3
  149. 149

    A direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning

    1 models affected

    3
  150. 150

    A direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning

    1 models affected

    3
  151. 151

    A stop lamp not securely attached

    2 models affected

    3
  152. 152

    Mandatory headlamps, intended to be a matched pair, are not the same shape, size or colour

    1 models affected

    3
  153. 153

    A lamp with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning

    1 models affected

    3
  154. 154

    A headlamp cleaning device inoperative

    1 models affected

    2
  155. 155

    Defective lens

    1 models affected

    2
  156. 156

    A stop lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements

    1 models affected

    2
  157. 157

    A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps

    1 models affected

    2
  158. 158

    Lamp showing red light to the front, white light to the rear or has heavily reduced light intensity

    1 models affected

    2
  159. 159

    A stop lamp not showing a steady red light or has significantly reduced light intensity

    1 models affected

    2
  160. 160

    Headlamp ‘dip’ switch does not operate in accordance with the requirements

    1 models affected

    2
  161. 161

    A direction indicator adversely affected by the operation of another lamp

    1 models affected

    2
  162. 162

    Lamp likely to become detached

    1 models affected

    2
  163. 163

    A stop lamp switch with a delay in operation

    1 models affected

    2
  164. 164

    A outline marker lamp adversely affected by the operation of any other lamp

    1 models affected

    2
  165. 165

    Reflector missing or reflecting white to the rear

    1 models affected

    1
  166. 166

    Headlamp reflector or lens seriously defective or missing

    1 models affected

    1
  167. 167

    Reflector defective or damaged by more than 50% of the reflecting surface

    1 models affected

    1
  168. 168

    Reflector defective or damaged by more than 50% of the reflecting surface

    1 models affected

    1
  169. 169

    Headlamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements

    1 models affected

    1
  170. 170

    A lamp not securely attached

    1 models affected

    1
  171. 171

    Front or rear fog lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements

    1 models affected

    1
  172. 172

    A headlamp missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED

    1 models affected

    1
  173. 173

    A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning

    1 models affected

    1

Brands most affected.

Total category-fails across each manufacturer's tested fleet. High-volume brands naturally lead — read alongside their model pass-rates.

No. 01

Ford

673,931

No. 02

Vauxhall

414,670

No. 03

Peugeot

324,203

No. 04

Volkswagen

280,313

No. 05

Citroen

255,553

No. 06

Toyota

231,028

No. 07

Nissan

210,113

No. 08

Renault

208,473