The picture
390: a strong MOT record by UK norms
Across 517 MOT tests, the 390 returns 87.0% first-time pass — comfortably ahead of the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is footrest missing or insecure. A non-functioning shock absorber and uneven braking force round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 8,134, 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 footrest missing or insecure
7 occurrences · 1.4% of tests
- 02
A shock absorber not functioning or leaking severely
6 occurrences · 1.2% of tests
- 03
Excessive fluctuation in brake effort through each wheel revolution
5 occurrences · 1.0% of tests
- 04
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
5 occurrences · 1.0% of tests
- 05
A transmission belt, chain, sprocket or pulley so loose or worn it is likely to fail
4 occurrences · 0.8% of tests
- 06
On a motorcycle with two front or rear wheels, there is no recorded brake effort at a wheel
3 occurrences · 0.6% of tests
- 07
Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
3 occurrences · 0.6% of tests
- 08
Reflector missing or reflecting white to the rear
3 occurrences · 0.6% of tests
- 09
A transmission belt, chain, sprocket or pulley excessively loose or worn
3 occurrences · 0.6% of tests
- 10
Number plate does not conform to the specified requirements
2 occurrences · 0.4% 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.
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 390?
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 390 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.