The picture
Dispatch: a below-average pass rate worth digging into
Across 60,627 MOT tests, the Dispatch returns 67.0% first-time pass — well below the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is a number-plate lamp out. A split CV-joint boot and a missing CV-joint boot round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 104,119, 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
A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources
5,680 occurrences · 9.4% of tests
- 02
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot severely deteriorated
4,867 occurrences · 8.0% of tests
- 03
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
4,516 occurrences · 7.4% of tests
- 04
Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view
3,372 occurrences · 5.6% of tests
- 05
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
3,254 occurrences · 5.4% of tests
- 06
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
1,917 occurrences · 3.2% of tests
- 07
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
1,816 occurrences · 3.0% of tests
- 08
a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm
1,801 occurrences · 3.0% of tests
- 09
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
1,782 occurrences · 2.9% of tests
- 10
Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
1,675 occurrences · 2.8% 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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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 Dispatch?
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 Dispatch 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.