The picture
Carina: a below-average pass rate worth digging into
Across 891 MOT tests, the Carina returns 68.1% first-time pass — well below the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is a split CV-joint boot. The strength or continuity of the load bearing and a missing CV-joint boot round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 112,626, 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 severely deteriorated
71 occurrences · 8.0% of tests
- 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
55 occurrences · 6.2% of tests
- 03
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
47 occurrences · 5.3% of tests
- 04
Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view
40 occurrences · 4.5% of tests
- 05
A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources
37 occurrences · 4.2% of tests
- 06
Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer
32 occurrences · 3.6% of tests
- 07
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
30 occurrences · 3.4% of tests
- 08
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.
28 occurrences · 3.1% of tests
- 09
Emissions levels exceed the manufacturer's specified limits
24 occurrences · 2.7% of tests
- 10
Exhaust system leaking or insecure
23 occurrences · 2.6% 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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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 Carina?
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 Carina 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.