The picture
Tf: middle-of-the-pack on first-time pass
Across 12,139 MOT tests, the Tf returns 74.1% first-time pass — below the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is a weak handbrake. A worn steering ball joint and suspension component excessively damaged round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 58,612, 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
Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement
482 occurrences · 4.0% of tests
- 02
A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play
306 occurrences · 2.5% of tests
- 03
A suspension component excessively damaged or corroded
281 occurrences · 2.3% of tests
- 04
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
279 occurrences · 2.3% of tests
- 05
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
254 occurrences · 2.1% of tests
- 06
Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer
239 occurrences · 2.0% of tests
- 07
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
222 occurrences · 1.8% of tests
- 08
Audible warning inoperative
205 occurrences · 1.7% of tests
- 09
Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view
203 occurrences · 1.7% of tests
- 10
Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction
175 occurrences · 1.4% 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.
Worst-case fix budget · top 2 failures
£100–£285
If every one of this TF'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 TF?
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 TF 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.