The picture
Copen: middle-of-the-pack on first-time pass
Across 1,677 MOT tests, the Copen returns 73.6% first-time pass — below the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is the strength or continuity of the load bearing. A torn suspension dust cover and wipers that don't clear the screen round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 60,312, 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
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
224 occurrences · 13.4% of tests
- 02
A suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated
60 occurrences · 3.6% of tests
- 03
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
46 occurrences · 2.7% of tests
- 04
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
45 occurrences · 2.7% of tests
- 05
A tyre seriously damaged
41 occurrences · 2.4% of tests
- 06
Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer
40 occurrences · 2.4% of tests
- 07
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
36 occurrences · 2.1% of tests
- 08
Headlamp reflector or lens slightly defective
35 occurrences · 2.1% of tests
- 09
Body, cab or chassis excessively corroded at a mounting point
35 occurrences · 2.1% of tests
- 10
Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view
32 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.
Worst-case fix budget · top 3 failures
£160–£465
If every one of this Copen's most-logged Major fails hit at the same MOT, that's the real-world UK garage range. Reality is usually one or two items, not all of them. Open the estimator →
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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 Copen?
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 Copen 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.