💡 Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment MOT Failures
This category covers all exterior lighting — headlamps, indicators, brake lights, fog lamps, number plate lights, and reflectors. Bulb failures are the single most common reason for MOT failure.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
✅ Best 20 — Lowest Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment Failure Rate
These models have the lowest lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment failure rate in MOT testing. Great choices if you want to avoid lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment problems.
| # | Make | Model | Failure Rate | Total Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BMW | R Series | 0% | 70,132 |
| 2 | Jaguar | F-type | 0% | 85,525 |
| 3 | Ford | Mustang Gt | 0% | 5,439 |
| 4 | Nissan | Juke Tekna Dig-t | 0% | 18,486 |
| 5 | Hyundai | Lantra | 0% | 39,715 |
| 6 | Ford | Edge | 0% | 41,581 |
| 7 | BMW | X3 (f25) | 0% | 20,874 |
| 8 | Fiat | Ducato 40 Maxi 160 M-jet | 0% | 6,135 |
| 9 | MG | 3 | 0% | 80,088 |
| 10 | Citroen | C3 Pluriel | 0% | 49,352 |
| 11 | BMW | M4 | 0% | 73,125 |
| 12 | Volkswagen | Caddy Maxi C20 | 0% | 5,488 |
| 13 | Toyota | Carina E | 0% | 133,790 |
| 14 | Triumph | Rocket | 0% | 5,286 |
| 15 | Ssangyong | Tivoli | 0% | 30,952 |
| 16 | Citroen | C1 Vtr+ | 0% | 6,541 |
| 17 | Land Rover | 88" - 4 Cyl | 0% | 44,032 |
| 18 | Ford | Transit Custom | 0% | 266,502 |
| 19 | Volkswagen | Golf Fsi | 0% | 8,994 |
| 20 | Toyota | Aygo+ Vvt-i | 0% | 7,725 |
❌ Worst 20 — Highest Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment Failure Rate
These models have the highest lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment failure rate. Consider extra inspection before buying.
| # | Make | Model | Failure Rate | Total Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ford | Transit 100 T260 Fwd | 79% | 6,610 |
| 2 | Ford | Transit 125 T350 Rwd | 69.5% | 15,486 |
| 3 | Ford | Transit 100 T280 Fwd | 67.2% | 9,435 |
| 4 | Mercedes | 308 | 65% | 24,157 |
| 5 | Citroen | C15d Champ | 64.5% | 45,629 |
| 6 | Peugeot | 307 Lx | 62.4% | 5,437 |
| 7 | Mercedes | 208 | 61.4% | 24,796 |
| 8 | Volkswagen | Lt 35 Tdi Lwb | 57.9% | 9,734 |
| 9 | Chrysler | Voyager Le | 56.2% | 7,362 |
| 10 | Mercedes | 312d Lwb | 56.2% | 7,964 |
| 11 | Ford | Transit 100 T350l D/c Rwd | 55.2% | 12,001 |
| 12 | Volkswagen | Lt 35 | 54.8% | 123,040 |
| 13 | Volkswagen | Lt 28 | 52.8% | 16,338 |
| 14 | Ford | Tran Connect L 200 Td Swb | 52.2% | 17,731 |
| 15 | Chrysler | Grand Voyager Le Auto | 52% | 7,183 |
| 16 | Volkswagen | Lt 35 Tdi Mwb | 51.7% | 7,407 |
| 17 | Ford | Transit 115 T350ef Rwd | 51.6% | 6,393 |
| 18 | Peugeot | 307 S Hdi 90 | 51% | 6,269 |
| 19 | Ford | Transit 100 T350 Rwd | 50.5% | 10,590 |
| 20 | Iveco | Unclassified | 49.9% | 27,841 |
💡 How to Avoid Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment Failures
- ✓ Walk around your car and check every light works before the MOT — ask someone to press the brake pedal while you check.
- ✓ Carry spare bulbs and replace blown ones immediately. Most bulbs cost under £5 and take minutes to fit.
- ✓ Clean headlamp lenses with toothpaste or a restoration kit if they've gone cloudy — poor beam pattern fails the MOT.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are blown bulbs really the top MOT failure?
Yes — lighting defects are consistently the number one reason for MOT failure in the UK. A simple blown brake light bulb or indicator can cause an immediate fail, yet costs pennies to fix.
Do LED bulbs pass the MOT?
Factory-fitted LED lights pass the MOT. However, aftermarket LED bulbs fitted to halogen housings may fail because the beam pattern doesn't meet requirements. Stick with the correct bulb type for your car.
What lighting checks are done in the MOT?
The tester checks all exterior lights work, headlamp aim is correct, lenses aren't damaged or discoloured, indicators flash at the correct rate, and all required reflectors are present and undamaged.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.