The picture
Zoe I Iconic Ze 50: a strong MOT record by UK norms
Across 994 MOT tests, the Zoe I Iconic Ze 50 returns 89.1% first-time pass — comfortably ahead of the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is a seriously damaged tyre. A tyre with the cords showing and tyre tread under the limit round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 19,708, 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 tyre seriously damaged
42 occurrences · 4.2% of tests
- 02
A tyre cords visible or damaged
27 occurrences · 2.7% of tests
- 03
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
14 occurrences · 1.4% of tests
- 04
Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view
13 occurrences · 1.3% of tests
- 05
Wiper blade defective
6 occurrences · 0.6% of tests
- 06
A tyre has a lump, bulge or tear caused by separation or partial failure of its structure. This includes any lifting of the tread rubber
5 occurrences · 0.5% of tests
- 07
Service brake efficiency below minimum requirement
4 occurrences · 0.4% of tests
- 08
Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement
3 occurrences · 0.3% of tests
- 09
Brake disc or drum significantly and obviously worn
3 occurrences · 0.3% of tests
- 10
Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured
3 occurrences · 0.3% 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
£140–£235
If every one of this Zoe I Iconic ZE 50'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.
Item 01 · Amazon UK
Digital tyre-tread depth gauge
Five quid for a gauge beats £150 for a retest. UK MOT minimum is 1.6mm — most testers fail anything below 2mm to be safe.
Search Amazon UK
Item 02 · Amazon UK
Bosch Aerotwin wiper blades
Cheap wipers fail the test on smear streaks. Bosch Aerotwins last a winter and clear a screen properly.
Search Amazon UK
Buying or keeping a Zoe I Iconic ZE 50?
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 Zoe I Iconic ZE 50 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.