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

180

Total fails

3,353,789

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

    902 models affected

    1,246,695
  2. 02

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

    683 models affected

    673,667
  3. 03

    Headlamp reflector or lens slightly defective

    340 models affected

    384,439
  4. 04

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

    320 models affected

    326,886
  5. 05

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

    325 models affected

    285,446
  6. 06

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

    267 models affected

    112,826
  7. 07

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

    161 models affected

    104,445
  8. 08

    Obligatory mirror or device slightly damaged or loose

    162 models affected

    46,155
  9. 09

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

    48 models affected

    24,508
  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

    190 models affected

    23,854
  11. 11

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

    64 models affected

    22,595
  12. 12

    A lens defective which has no effect on emitted light

    91 models affected

    13,657
  13. 13

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

    159 models affected

    12,949
  14. 14

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

    243 models affected

    9,404
  15. 15

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

    130 models affected

    9,046
  16. 16

    Brake lining or pad worn down to wear indicator

    147 models affected

    6,400
  17. 17

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

    43 models affected

    6,208
  18. 18

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

    48 models affected

    3,958
  19. 19

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

    277 models affected

    3,718
  20. 20

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

    42 models affected

    3,288
  21. 21

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

    176 models affected

    3,122
  22. 22

    Reflector missing or reflecting white to the rear

    191 models affected

    2,916
  23. 23

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

    182 models affected

    2,450
  24. 24

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

    59 models affected

    2,347
  25. 25

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

    154 models affected

    1,806
  26. 26

    A lamp missing or inoperative

    160 models affected

    1,672
  27. 27

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

    147 models affected

    1,592
  28. 28

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

    120 models affected

    1,271
  29. 29

    Lamp not securely attached

    42 models affected

    1,132
  30. 30

    Headlamp levelling device inoperative

    16 models affected

    1,126
  31. 31

    A reversing lamp inoperative

    12 models affected

    1,122
  32. 32

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

    86 models affected

    986
  33. 33

    Headlamp reflector or lens seriously defective or missing

    4 models affected

    948
  34. 34

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

    120 models affected

    939
  35. 35

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

    6 models affected

    923
  36. 36

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

    106 models affected

    871
  37. 37

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

    4 models affected

    619
  38. 38

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

    65 models affected

    607
  39. 39

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

    39 models affected

    598
  40. 40

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

    72 models affected

    499
  41. 41

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

    50 models affected

    469
  42. 42

    Headlamp reflector or lens slightly defective

    11 models affected

    428
  43. 43

    Headlamp aim unable to be tested

    14 models affected

    403
  44. 44

    Reflector colour or position not in accordance with the requirements

    54 models affected

    349
  45. 45

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

    5 models affected

    302
  46. 46

    A lens defective which has no effect on emitted light

    24 models affected

    252
  47. 47

    Headlamp aim unable to be tested

    26 models affected

    250
  48. 48

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

    21 models affected

    243
  49. 49

    A lamp not securely attached

    32 models affected

    222
  50. 50

    Stop lamps all missing or inoperative

    14 models affected

    203
  51. 51

    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

    201
  52. 52

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

    25 models affected

    188
  53. 53

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

    26 models affected

    178
  54. 54

    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

    38 models affected

    175
  55. 55

    Headlamp not securely attached

    13 models affected

    116
  56. 56

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

    21 models affected

    105
  57. 57

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

    22 models affected

    95
  58. 58

    A mandatory tell-tale for direction indicators missing or inoperative

    17 models affected

    86
  59. 59

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

    16 models affected

    73
  60. 60

    Headlamp reflector or lens slightly defective

    16 models affected

    73
  61. 61

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

    11 models affected

    71
  62. 62

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

    3 models affected

    69
  63. 63

    Obligatory mirror or device slightly damaged or loose

    23 models affected

    66
  64. 64

    A front or rear fog lamp not securely attached

    20 models affected

    65
  65. 65

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

    3 models affected

    61
  66. 66

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

    16 models affected

    60
  67. 67

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

    16 models affected

    60
  68. 68

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

    4 models affected

    58
  69. 69

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

    6 models affected

    58
  70. 70

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

    5 models affected

    56
  71. 71

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

    5 models affected

    42
  72. 72

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

    15 models affected

    42
  73. 73

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

    10 models affected

    41
  74. 74

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

    1 models affected

    39
  75. 75

    A lens defective which has no effect on emitted light

    10 models affected

    37
  76. 76

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

    8 models affected

    36
  77. 77

    Flexible brake hose slightly damaged, chafed or twisted

    10 models affected

    35
  78. 78

    A lens defective which has no effect on emitted light

    12 models affected

    33
  79. 79

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

    1 models affected

    31
  80. 80

    Headlamp reflector or lens slightly defective

    5 models affected

    28
  81. 81

    A lens defective which has no effect on emitted light

    11 models affected

    28
  82. 82

    Flexible brake hose slightly damaged, chafed or twisted

    6 models affected

    28
  83. 83

    Indicator switch does not operate in accordance with the requirements

    8 models affected

    26
  84. 84

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

    2 models affected

    25
  85. 85

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

    1 models affected

    24
  86. 86

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

    9 models affected

    23
  87. 87

    Flexible brake hose slightly damaged, chafed or twisted

    6 models affected

    23
  88. 88

    A front or rear fog lamp not securely attached

    7 models affected

    22
  89. 89

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

    2 models affected

    21
  90. 90

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

    4 models affected

    18
  91. 91

    A registration plate lamp not securely attached

    5 models affected

    17
  92. 92

    Brake fluid warning light illuminated or defective

    6 models affected

    17
  93. 93

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

    1 models affected

    15
  94. 94

    Indicator or hazard warning switch inoperative

    1 models affected

    15
  95. 95

    A lens defective such that emitted light is adversely affected

    6 models affected

    14
  96. 96

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

    7 models affected

    14
  97. 97

    A direction indicator adversely affected by the operation of another lamp

    2 models affected

    12
  98. 98

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

    3 models affected

    12
  99. 99

    A lamp not securely attached

    2 models affected

    12
  100. 100

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

    5 models affected

    12
  101. 101

    Reflector not securely attached

    4 models affected

    12
  102. 102

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

    4 models affected

    11
  103. 103

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

    4 models affected

    11
  104. 104

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

    4 models affected

    10
  105. 105

    A lamp missing or inoperative

    3 models affected

    9
  106. 106

    A lens defective which has no effect on emitted light

    2 models affected

    8
  107. 107

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

    2 models affected

    8
  108. 108

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

    2 models affected

    8
  109. 109

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

    2 models affected

    8
  110. 110

    A stop lamp switch with a delay in operation

    5 models affected

    8
  111. 111

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

    5 models affected

    8
  112. 112

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

    2 models affected

    7
  113. 113

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

    1 models affected

    7
  114. 114

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

    1 models affected

    7
  115. 115

    Flexible brake hose slightly damaged, chafed or twisted

    3 models affected

    6
  116. 116

    Lamp not securely attached

    4 models affected

    6
  117. 117

    Headlamp emitted colour or intensity not in accordance with the requirements

    4 models affected

    6
  118. 118

    A direction indicator adversely affected by the operation of another lamp

    2 models affected

    6
  119. 119

    Reflector missing or reflecting white to the rear

    4 models affected

    6
  120. 120

    A lens defective such that the emitted light is adversely affected

    3 models affected

    6
  121. 121

    Switch does not operate in accordance with the requirements or the rear position lamps can be switched off when the headlamps are on

    1 models affected

    5
  122. 122

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

    1 models affected

    5
  123. 123

    Obligatory mirror or device slightly damaged or loose

    3 models affected

    5
  124. 124

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

    3 models affected

    5
  125. 125

    A registration plate lamp not securely attached

    3 models affected

    5
  126. 126

    Stop lamps remain on when the brakes are released

    3 models affected

    5
  127. 127

    A stop lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp

    2 models affected

    5
  128. 128

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

    1 models affected

    5
  129. 129

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

    1 models affected

    4
  130. 130

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

    2 models affected

    4
  131. 131

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

    1 models affected

    4
  132. 132

    Reflector colour or position not in accordance with the requirements

    2 models affected

    4
  133. 133

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

    2 models affected

    4
  134. 134

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

    2 models affected

    4
  135. 135

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

    2 models affected

    4
  136. 136

    A lamp likely to become detached

    2 models affected

    4
  137. 137

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

    3 models affected

    4
  138. 138

    A registration plate lamp likely to become detached

    2 models affected

    4
  139. 139

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

    1 models affected

    3
  140. 140

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

    1 models affected

    3
  141. 141

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

    2 models affected

    3
  142. 142

    A reversing lamp lens defective

    2 models affected

    3
  143. 143

    A headlamp with up to ½ light sources not functioning in the case of LED

    1 models affected

    3
  144. 144

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

    2 models affected

    3
  145. 145

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

    2 models affected

    3
  146. 146

    A headlamp cleaning device inoperative

    2 models affected

    3
  147. 147

    A lens defective which has no effect on emitted light

    1 models affected

    3
  148. 148

    A lamp not securely attached

    2 models affected

    3
  149. 149

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

    1 models affected

    3
  150. 150

    A lamp missing or inoperative

    2 models affected

    3
  151. 151

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

    1 models affected

    3
  152. 152

    A towbar obstructing the registration plate or any lamp

    1 models affected

    2
  153. 153

    Reflector colour or position not in accordance with the requirements

    1 models affected

    2
  154. 154

    Flexible brake hose slightly damaged, chafed or twisted

    1 models affected

    2
  155. 155

    Reflector colour or position not in accordance with the requirements

    1 models affected

    2
  156. 156

    A stop lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp

    1 models affected

    2
  157. 157

    A reversing lamp not securely attached

    1 models affected

    2
  158. 158

    A lamp not securely attached

    1 models affected

    2
  159. 159

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

    1 models affected

    2
  160. 160

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

    1 models affected

    2
  161. 161

    Defective lens

    2 models affected

    2
  162. 162

    Light source and lamp not compatible

    1 models affected

    2
  163. 163

    A lens defective such that the emitted light is adversely affected

    1 models affected

    2
  164. 164

    A mandatory tell-tale for direction indicators or hazard warning missing or inoperative

    1 models affected

    2
  165. 165

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

    1 models affected

    2
  166. 166

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

    1 models affected

    2
  167. 167

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

    1 models affected

    2
  168. 168

    Headlamp reflector or lens seriously defective or missing

    1 models affected

    1
  169. 169

    Defective lens

    1 models affected

    1
  170. 170

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

    1 models affected

    1
  171. 171

    Low pressure warning gauge or indicator malfunctioning or defective

    1 models affected

    1
  172. 172

    Reflector likely to become detached

    1 models affected

    1
  173. 173

    Headlamp aim unable to be tested

    1 models affected

    1
  174. 174

    A stop lamp likely to become detached

    1 models affected

    1
  175. 175

    A daytime running lamp adversely affected by the operation of any other lamp

    1 models affected

    1
  176. 176

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

    1 models affected

    1
  177. 177

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

    1 models affected

    1
  178. 178

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

    1 models affected

    1
  179. 179

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

    1 models affected

    1
  180. 180

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

    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

591,544

No. 02

Vauxhall

347,575

No. 03

Peugeot

285,530

No. 04

Volkswagen

247,226

No. 05

Citroen

212,448

No. 06

Toyota

196,372

No. 07

Renault

186,835

No. 08

Nissan

176,866