The picture
Roadster: a strong MOT record by UK norms
Across 655 MOT tests, the Roadster returns 86.7% first-time pass — comfortably ahead of the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is a binding brake. A non-conforming number plate and a missing steering gaiter round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 21,395, 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
Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
11 occurrences · 1.7% of tests
- 02
Number plate does not conform to the specified requirements
8 occurrences · 1.2% of tests
- 03
Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
5 occurrences · 0.8% of tests
- 04
Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated
4 occurrences · 0.6% of tests
- 05
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
4 occurrences · 0.6% of tests
- 06
Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view
3 occurrences · 0.5% of tests
- 07
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
3 occurrences · 0.5% of tests
- 08
Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements
3 occurrences · 0.5% of tests
- 09
A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources
3 occurrences · 0.5% of tests
- 10
Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer
3 occurrences · 0.5% 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
£175–£515
If every one of this Roadster'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 Roadster?
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 Roadster 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.