The picture
Er5: middle-of-the-pack on first-time pass
Across 1,317 MOT tests, the Er5 returns 79.7% first-time pass — roughly in line with the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is rate of flashing not between 60. A non-functioning shock absorber and uneven braking force round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 29,160, 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
Rate of flashing not between 60 and 120 times per minute
20 occurrences · 1.5% of tests
- 02
A shock absorber not functioning or leaking severely
20 occurrences · 1.5% of tests
- 03
Excessive fluctuation in brake effort through each wheel revolution
19 occurrences · 1.4% of tests
- 04
Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
19 occurrences · 1.4% of tests
- 05
Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
18 occurrences · 1.4% of tests
- 06
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
14 occurrences · 1.1% of tests
- 07
Exhaust system leaking or insecure
14 occurrences · 1.1% of tests
- 08
A transmission belt, chain, sprocket or pulley excessively loose or worn
14 occurrences · 1.1% of tests
- 09
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
13 occurrences · 1.0% of tests
- 10
A direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
10 occurrences · 0.8% 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 Er5?
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 Er5 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.