The picture
400 Series: a below-average pass rate worth digging into
Across 577 MOT tests, the 400 Series returns 63.6% first-time pass — well below the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is a number-plate lamp out. A weak handbrake and the strength or continuity of the load bearing round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 77,209, 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 rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources
47 occurrences · 8.1% of tests
- 02
Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement
45 occurrences · 7.8% of tests
- 03
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
43 occurrences · 7.5% of tests
- 04
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
25 occurrences · 4.3% of tests
- 05
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot severely deteriorated
25 occurrences · 4.3% of tests
- 06
Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view
24 occurrences · 4.2% of tests
- 07
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
24 occurrences · 4.2% of tests
- 08
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
23 occurrences · 4.0% of tests
- 09
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.
22 occurrences · 3.8% of tests
- 10
Parking brake lever has excessive movement indicating incorrect adjustment
22 occurrences · 3.8% 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 2 failures
£48–£125
If every one of this 400 Series'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 400 Series?
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 400 Series 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.