The picture
Independence: middle-of-the-pack on first-time pass
Across 2,450 MOT tests, the Independence returns 71.2% first-time pass — below the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is a missing CV-joint boot. A lamp out and a split CV-joint boot round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 74,022, 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 missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
138 occurrences · 5.6% of tests
- 02
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
101 occurrences · 4.1% of tests
- 03
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot severely deteriorated
95 occurrences · 3.9% of tests
- 04
A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources
89 occurrences · 3.6% of tests
- 05
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
62 occurrences · 2.5% of tests
- 06
a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm
58 occurrences · 2.4% of tests
- 07
Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view
49 occurrences · 2.0% of tests
- 08
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
49 occurrences · 2.0% of tests
- 09
Exhaust system leaking or insecure
48 occurrences · 2.0% of tests
- 10
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
42 occurrences · 1.7% 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.
Try the calculator
Build your own retest budget.
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 Independence?
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 Independence 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.