MOT cost .

Morris

Minor

923 MOT tests analysed. sits above the UK fleet average — here's where Minors pass, fail, and end up on the retest sheet.

That's 6.6 points above the UK fleet average across our 1,988 tracked models — a confident result.

Pass

82.3%

Pass-after-fix

2.4%

Fail

13.9%

Avg miles

43,379

Pass + Pass-after-fix + Fail = 100%

The picture

Minor: above-average pass rates, with caveats

Across 923 MOT tests, the Minor returns 82.3% first-time pass — above the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is brakes imbalance across an axle such. The strength or continuity of the load bearing and a weak handbrake round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 43,379, 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.

  1. 01

    Brakes imbalance across an axle such that the braking effort from any wheel is less than 70% of the maximum effort recorded from the other wheel on the same axle.

    35 occurrences · 3.8% of tests

  2. 02

    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

    29 occurrences · 3.1% of tests

  3. 03

    Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement

    20 occurrences · 2.2% of tests

  4. 04

    Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake

    19 occurrences · 2.1% of tests

  5. 05

    Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc

    16 occurrences · 1.7% of tests

  6. 06

    Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated

    14 occurrences · 1.5% of tests

  7. 07

    Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen

    13 occurrences · 1.4% of tests

  8. 08

    Parking brake inoperative on one side

    12 occurrences · 1.3% of tests

  9. 09

    Service brake efficiency below minimum requirement

    11 occurrences · 1.2% of tests

  10. 10

    Brakes imbalance across an axle such that the braking effort from any wheel is less than 70% of the maximum effort recorded from the other wheel on the same axle.

    11 occurrences · 1.2% 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.

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Buying or keeping a Minor?

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 Minor 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.