MOT failure · RFR #31864
Emissions levels exceed default limits
Total
1,328
Models
36
Models most at risk.
Ranked by rate, not raw volume. A Fiesta shows every failure a lot because there are a lot of Fiestas. Rate = share of that model's own MOTs.
- 01 Austin Mini Mayfair 6.46%
- 02 Austin Mini 1000 City E 5.87%
- 03 Porsche 924 4.17%
- 04 Rover Metro 4.17%
- 05 Talbot Express 1300 P 3.61%
- 06 Reliant Scimitar 2.92%
- 07 Mercedes Benz 200 2.82%
- 08 Volvo 700 Series 2.82%
- 09 Citroen 2cv 2.76%
- 10 Rover Mini 2.59%
- 11 Triumph Spitfire 2.47%
- 12 MG B 2.45%
- 13 Vauxhall Nova 2.43%
- 14 Ford Capri 2.39%
- 15 Mercedes Benz 230 2.25%
- 16 MG B GT 2.18%
- 17 Mercedes Benz 190 2.14%
- 18 Lotus Elan 2.12%
- 19 Volkswagen Camper Van 2.11%
- 20 Ford Sierra 1.82%
- 21 Porsche 944 1.79%
- 22 Renault R5 1.70%
- 23 Mercedes Benz 420 1.67%
- 24 Porsche 928 S 1.52%
- 25 MG Midget 1.50%
- 26 Mercedes Benz 500 1.49%
- 27 Lotus Esprit 1.47%
- 28 Audi Quattro 1.44%
- 29 Triumph Stag 1.24%
- 30 Ford Cortina 1.24%
Top 30 by rate. 6 more models also logged this defect.
Cost orientation
Hard to predict in isolation — depends what's actually worn.
This defect doesn't map to a clean retail-part swap; ranges vary too widely without seeing the car. Use the estimator to bracket the all-in cost across the items most likely to surface alongside it.
Open estimator
Frequently asked.
- Why does emissions levels exceed default limits fail an MOT?
- Emissions levels exceed default limits. Most commonly flagged on the Austin Mini Mayfair. The DVSA's MOT standards require this item to meet minimum safety thresholds — when it falls short, the tester logs it as a Major or Dangerous defect and the car fails outright.
- How much does it cost to fix emissions levels exceed default limits?
- Costs vary depending on the vehicle, region, and severity. Use our MOT cost estimator for typical UK garage rates across the most common failure items.