The picture
5: a below-average pass rate worth digging into
Across 16,762 MOT tests, the 5 returns 64.2% first-time pass — well below the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is a split CV-joint boot. A number-plate lamp out and worn suspension bushes round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 102,193, 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 transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot severely deteriorated
999 occurrences · 6.0% of tests
- 02
A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources
924 occurrences · 5.5% of tests
- 03
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
910 occurrences · 5.4% of tests
- 04
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
906 occurrences · 5.4% of tests
- 05
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
767 occurrences · 4.6% of tests
- 06
Headlamp reflector or lens slightly defective
720 occurrences · 4.3% of tests
- 07
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
719 occurrences · 4.3% of tests
- 08
a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm
608 occurrences · 3.6% of tests
- 09
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
555 occurrences · 3.3% of tests
- 10
A tyre cords visible or damaged
543 occurrences · 3.2% 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
£168–£515
If every one of this 5'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 5?
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 5 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.