MOT cost .

Failure category

Other defects

Items that don't fit cleanly into the major buckets above.

Defect codes

105

Total fails

261,878

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

    Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction

    383 models affected

    86,097
  2. 02

    Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer

    180 models affected

    54,299
  3. 03

    Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction

    291 models affected

    50,524
  4. 04

    A battery insecure but not likely to fall from carrier

    81 models affected

    22,219
  5. 05

    Audible warning inoperative

    69 models affected

    14,407
  6. 06

    Number plate does not conform to the specified requirements

    414 models affected

    11,804
  7. 07

    Warning device shows system malfunction

    54 models affected

    6,707
  8. 08

    Rate of flashing not between 60 and 120 times per minute

    75 models affected

    1,986
  9. 09

    Fuel system leaking, or missing or ineffective filler cap

    6 models affected

    1,970
  10. 10

    Number plate does not conform to the specified requirements

    103 models affected

    1,919
  11. 11

    Smoke opacity levels exceed the manufacturer's specified limit

    26 models affected

    1,734
  12. 12

    Audible warning not working

    78 models affected

    1,441
  13. 13

    A transmission belt, chain, sprocket or pulley excessively loose or worn

    59 models affected

    1,317
  14. 14

    Projected beam image is obviously incorrect

    54 models affected

    746
  15. 15

    A footrest missing or insecure

    31 models affected

    710
  16. 16

    ESC MIL indicates a system malfunction

    30 models affected

    579
  17. 17

    Handlebar grip insecure to handlebar

    22 models affected

    408
  18. 18

    A transmission belt, chain, sprocket or pulley excessively loose or worn

    20 models affected

    324
  19. 19

    Contaminated with oil, grease etc

    21 models affected

    278
  20. 20

    A door will not open using the relevant control or close properly

    6 models affected

    264
  21. 21

    Smoke opacity levels exceed the manufacturer's specified limit

    3 models affected

    234
  22. 22

    Number plate showing an incorrect registration

    44 models affected

    219
  23. 23

    Smoke opacity levels exceed default limit

    9 models affected

    175
  24. 24

    Rate of flashing not between 60 and 120 times per minute

    3 models affected

    163
  25. 25

    Rate of flashing not between 60 and 120 times per minute

    10 models affected

    118
  26. 26

    Number plate missing or so insecure that it is likely to fall off

    23 models affected

    106
  27. 27

    Number plate inscription missing or illegible

    24 models affected

    98
  28. 28

    A king pin loose in the axle beam

    1 models affected

    91
  29. 29

    Actuator leaking and braking performance not affected

    5 models affected

    75
  30. 30

    A bonnet that cannot be safely secured in the closed position

    5 models affected

    73
  31. 31

    A transmission belt or chain excessively tight

    6 models affected

    59
  32. 32

    A transmission belt, chain, sprocket or pulley excessively loose or worn

    3 models affected

    58
  33. 33

    Rate of flashing not between 60 and 120 times per minute

    2 models affected

    38
  34. 34

    Missing break glass hammer (where required)

    2 models affected

    37
  35. 35

    A throttle control not functioning correctly

    5 models affected

    36
  36. 36

    A driver's seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism not functioning as intended.

    3 models affected

    36
  37. 37

    Fuel system leaking excessively or a risk of fire

    2 models affected

    34
  38. 38

    Emission control equipment fitted by the manufacturer missing, obviously modified or obviously defective

    5 models affected

    31
  39. 39

    Bumper insecure or with damage likely to cause injury when grazed or contacted

    10 models affected

    24
  40. 40

    An engine mounting/bracket severely damaged or deteriorated resulting in excessive movement

    3 models affected

    24
  41. 41

    Number plate missing or so insecure that it is likely to fall off

    8 models affected

    24
  42. 42

    A throttle control functioning such that safe operation of the motorcycle is affected

    4 models affected

    24
  43. 43

    Audible warning sound not in accordance with requirements

    3 models affected

    23
  44. 44

    A footrest missing or insecure

    7 models affected

    22
  45. 45

    A door will not open using the relevant control or close properly

    3 models affected

    17
  46. 46

    Retractable step not operating correctly.

    2 models affected

    17
  47. 47

    Handlebar mounting insecure

    3 models affected

    16
  48. 48

    Fuel system leaking, or missing or ineffective filler cap

    4 models affected

    14
  49. 49

    Emission control equipment fitted by the manufacturer missing, obviously modified or obviously defective

    2 models affected

    12
  50. 50

    A rider’s seat missing or insecure

    2 models affected

    12
  51. 51

    An engine mounting or bracket severely damaged or deteriorated resulting in excessive movement

    2 models affected

    12
  52. 52

    Number plate showing an incorrect registration

    3 models affected

    11
  53. 53

    Emission control equipment fitted by the manufacturer missing, obviously modified or obviously defective

    2 models affected

    10
  54. 54

    A trailer electrical socket insecure

    2 models affected

    10
  55. 55

    A 13 pin trailer socket not functioning correctly

    4 models affected

    10
  56. 56

    Handlebar fouling on the fuel tank or bodywork on full lock

    3 models affected

    9
  57. 57

    Rate of flashing not between 60 and 120 times per minute

    1 models affected

    8
  58. 58

    emits excessive dense blue or clearly visible black smoke during acceleration which would obscure the view of other road users

    2 models affected

    8
  59. 59

    Handlebar fouling on the fuel tank or bodywork on full lock

    2 models affected

    7
  60. 60

    A transmission belt, chain, sprocket or pulley so loose or worn it is likely to fail

    1 models affected

    7
  61. 61

    An emergency exit sign missing

    1 models affected

    7
  62. 62

    Electrical wiring insecure or inadequately secured

    1 models affected

    6
  63. 63

    Number plate inscription missing or illegible

    2 models affected

    6
  64. 64

    A passenger seat insecure

    1 models affected

    6
  65. 65

    Cable damaged or knotted

    1 models affected

    6
  66. 66

    Warning device shows system malfunction

    2 models affected

    5
  67. 67

    Fuel tank, pipe or hose insecure

    1 models affected

    5
  68. 68

    A transmission belt, chain, sprocket or pulley so loose or worn it is likely to fail

    2 models affected

    5
  69. 69

    Cable, rod or joint insecure

    1 models affected

    5
  70. 70

    evidence that the original webbing has been cut and/or reworked. e.g. belts knotted, fraying or fluffing removed/sealed by burning etc. (see note a)

    1 models affected

    5
  71. 71

    Smoke opacity levels exceed the manufacturer's specified limit

    1 models affected

    4
  72. 72

    Master cylinder reservoir cap missing

    1 models affected

    4
  73. 73

    A bonnet primary retaining device excessively deteriorated, ineffective or insecure

    2 models affected

    4
  74. 74

    A driver's seat moving inadvertently or backrest cannot be retained in the upright position

    1 models affected

    4
  75. 75

    Warning device not working

    1 models affected

    4
  76. 76

    Test item unable to be tested or completed

    1 models affected

    3
  77. 77

    Any braking system component insecure or inadequately mounted

    1 models affected

    3
  78. 78

    Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users

    1 models affected

    3
  79. 79

    Bumper insecure or with damage likely to cause injury when grazed or contacted

    1 models affected

    3
  80. 80

    Fuel system leaking, or missing or ineffective filler cap

    1 models affected

    3
  81. 81

    An obvious leak from any part of the system

    1 models affected

    3
  82. 82

    Emission control equipment fitted by the manufacturer missing, obviously modified or obviously defective

    1 models affected

    3
  83. 83

    emits excessive dense blue or clearly visible black smoke during acceleration which would obscure the view of other road users

    1 models affected

    3
  84. 84

    Audible warning sound not in accordance with requirements

    1 models affected

    3
  85. 85

    Emission control equipment fitted by the manufacturer missing, obviously modified or obviously defective

    1 models affected

    3
  86. 86

    Restriction in the movement of the handlebars from lock to lock

    1 models affected

    2
  87. 87

    A body panel or body component likely to become detached

    1 models affected

    2
  88. 88

    Electrical wiring insecure or inadequately secured

    1 models affected

    2
  89. 89

    Restriction in free movement of the braking system

    1 models affected

    2
  90. 90

    A 13 pin trailer socket not functioning at all

    1 models affected

    2
  91. 91

    A battery leaking

    1 models affected

    2
  92. 92

    Manual levelling device cannot be operated from the driver's seat

    1 models affected

    2
  93. 93

    Emission control equipment fitted by the manufacturer missing, obviously modified or obviously defective

    1 models affected

    2
  94. 94

    A door hinge, catch or pillar excessively deteriorated

    1 models affected

    2
  95. 95

    A transmission belt, chain, sprocket or pulley excessively loose or worn

    1 models affected

    2
  96. 96

    A body panel or body component likely to become detached

    1 models affected

    2
  97. 97

    A door hinge, catch or pillar missing or insecure

    1 models affected

    2
  98. 98

    Fuel system leaking, or missing or ineffective filler cap

    1 models affected

    2
  99. 99

    Switch insecure

    1 models affected

    2
  100. 100

    Restriction in the movement of the handlebars from lock to lock

    1 models affected

    2
  101. 101

    Contaminated with oil, grease etc

    1 models affected

    2
  102. 102

    An engine mounting or bracket fractured, missing or excessively loose

    1 models affected

    2
  103. 103

    Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users

    1 models affected

    1
  104. 104

    The engine is idling at a speed clearly above its normal idling speed

    1 models affected

    1
  105. 105

    A bootlid, tailgate, dropside, loading door or access panel cannot be secured in the closed position

    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

Vauxhall

55,081

No. 02

Peugeot

26,871

No. 03

Volkswagen

21,319

No. 04

Mercedes Benz

20,032

No. 05

Mini

18,475

No. 06

Ford

9,203

No. 07

Citroen

8,907

No. 08

Land Rover

8,301