The picture
790 Duke 19: a strong MOT record by UK norms
Across 590 MOT tests, the 790 Duke 19 returns 88.0% first-time pass — comfortably ahead of the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is uneven braking force. Tyre tread under the limit and a non-conforming number plate round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 6,447, 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
Excessive fluctuation in brake effort through each wheel revolution
7 occurrences · 1.2% of tests
- 02
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
7 occurrences · 1.2% of tests
- 03
Number plate does not conform to the specified requirements
4 occurrences · 0.7% of tests
- 04
A shock absorber not functioning or leaking severely
3 occurrences · 0.5% of tests
- 05
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
2 occurrences · 0.3% of tests
- 06
A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps
2 occurrences · 0.3% of tests
- 07
Reflector colour or position not in accordance with the requirements
2 occurrences · 0.3% of tests
- 08
A transmission belt or chain excessively tight
2 occurrences · 0.3% of tests
- 09
Brake control has insufficient reserve travel
1 occurrences · 0.2% of tests
- 10
A lamp missing or inoperative
1 occurrences · 0.2% 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 3 failures
£85–£210
If every one of this 790 Duke 19'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.
Item 01 · Amazon UK
Digital tyre-tread depth gauge
Five quid for a gauge beats £150 for a retest. UK MOT minimum is 1.6mm — most testers fail anything below 2mm to be safe.
Search Amazon UK
Item 02 · Amazon UK
MOT-spec replacement number plate
Faded or non-standard plates fail outright. Replacements take ten minutes online with V5C details.
Search Amazon UK
Item 03 · Amazon UK
Headlight restoration kit
Yellowed lenses fail the light-output test. A restoration kit lifts the haze in an afternoon for £20.
Search Amazon UK
Buying or keeping a 790 Duke 19?
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 790 Duke 19 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.