The picture
Coupe: middle-of-the-pack on first-time pass
Across 701 MOT tests, the Coupe returns 77.2% first-time pass — roughly in line with the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is windscreen damage. A lamp out and a split CV-joint boot round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 128,995, 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
Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view
30 occurrences · 4.3% of tests
- 02
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
29 occurrences · 4.1% of tests
- 03
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot severely deteriorated
27 occurrences · 3.9% of tests
- 04
Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement
22 occurrences · 3.1% of tests
- 05
Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
18 occurrences · 2.6% of tests
- 06
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
15 occurrences · 2.1% of tests
- 07
Headlamp reflector or lens slightly defective
15 occurrences · 2.1% of tests
- 08
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
14 occurrences · 2.0% of tests
- 09
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
14 occurrences · 2.0% of tests
- 10
A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources
13 occurrences · 1.9% 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 Coupe?
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 Coupe 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.