The picture
Wrangler: middle-of-the-pack on first-time pass
Across 4,409 MOT tests, the Wrangler returns 79.7% first-time pass — roughly in line with the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is windscreen damage. Headlamp aim out of spec and a lamp out round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 48,657, 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
109 occurrences · 2.5% of tests
- 02
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
106 occurrences · 2.4% of tests
- 03
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
85 occurrences · 1.9% of tests
- 04
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
76 occurrences · 1.7% of tests
- 05
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
71 occurrences · 1.6% of tests
- 06
A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources
71 occurrences · 1.6% of tests
- 07
Wiper blade defective
67 occurrences · 1.5% of tests
- 08
A direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
67 occurrences · 1.5% of tests
- 09
a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm
61 occurrences · 1.4% of tests
- 10
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
54 occurrences · 1.2% 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 2 failures
£20–£160
If every one of this Wrangler'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 →
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 Wrangler?
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 Wrangler 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.