The picture
Prelude: a below-average pass rate worth digging into
Across 1,369 MOT tests, the Prelude returns 69.5% first-time pass — well below the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is a torn suspension dust cover. The strength or continuity of the load bearing and a torn steering gaiter round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 108,343, 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 suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated
184 occurrences · 13.4% of tests
- 02
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
74 occurrences · 5.4% of tests
- 03
Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated
67 occurrences · 4.9% of tests
- 04
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot severely deteriorated
65 occurrences · 4.7% of tests
- 05
Headlamp reflector or lens slightly defective
48 occurrences · 3.5% of tests
- 06
Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement
47 occurrences · 3.4% of tests
- 07
Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
43 occurrences · 3.1% of tests
- 08
Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated
42 occurrences · 3.1% of tests
- 09
Emissions levels exceed the manufacturer's specified limits
37 occurrences · 2.7% of tests
- 10
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
37 occurrences · 2.7% 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
£170–£560
If every one of this Prelude'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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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 Prelude?
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 Prelude 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.