The picture
C8: a below-average pass rate worth digging into
Across 1,815 MOT tests, the C8 returns 59.8% first-time pass — near the bottom of the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is a weak handbrake. A number-plate lamp out and a split CV-joint boot round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 115,620, 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
Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement
170 occurrences · 9.4% of tests
- 02
A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources
158 occurrences · 8.7% of tests
- 03
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot severely deteriorated
150 occurrences · 8.3% of tests
- 04
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
126 occurrences · 6.9% of tests
- 05
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
120 occurrences · 6.6% of tests
- 06
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
113 occurrences · 6.2% of tests
- 07
Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
104 occurrences · 5.7% of tests
- 08
A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
98 occurrences · 5.4% of tests
- 09
A suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated
95 occurrences · 5.2% of tests
- 10
Parking brake inoperative on one side
89 occurrences · 4.9% 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.
Try the calculator
Build your own retest budget.
Tools that pre-empt a retest.
Picked against this car's top failure patterns. Affiliate links to Amazon UK — we earn a small cut at no cost to you. Disclosed up-front, doesn't shape the data.
Buying or keeping a C8?
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 C8 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.