Aixam 500sl MOT Pass Rate
Overall pass rate across all manufacture years, based on 56 real MOT test results. Failure rate: 48.2%.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
Aixam 500sl MOT Reliability Overview
The Aixam 500sl is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 56 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 0 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 51.8% and a failure rate of 48.2%, which is below the UK average of approximately 37%.
Based on this data, the Aixam 500sl earns a "Poor" reliability rating. The average Aixam 500sl presents for MOT with approximately 35,535 miles on the clock.
The most common MOT failure for the Aixam 500sl is Brakes, affecting 50.0% of all tests. Brake-related failures include worn brake pads, corroded brake discs, leaking brake lines, and faulty brake servos. These are safety-critical components — any brake deficiency will result in an MOT fail. The second most common issue is Suspension at 30.4%. Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment rounds out the top three at 30.4%. Together, these top 3 failure categories account for a significant portion of all MOT failures for this model.
Top failures across all manufacture years combined. Individual year pages may show different top failures.
What Fails Most
* High Fail Rate badge indicates an MOT pass rate below 65% (failure rate above 35%).
What Fails on This Car?
Click a category to see specific failure items.
View as table
| Rank | Failure Category | Rate (%) | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 83.9% | 47 |
| 2 | Lamps, Reflectors And Electrical Equipment | 46.4% | 26 |
| 3 | Suspension | 33.9% | 19 |
| 4 | Tyres | 26.8% | 15 |
| 5 | Exhaust, Fuel And Emissions | 23.2% | 13 |
| 6 | Driver's View Of The Road | 14.3% | 8 |
| 7 | Steering | 12.5% | 7 |
| 8 | Body, Structure And General Items | 12.5% | 7 |
| 9 | Registration Plates And Vin | 5.4% | 3 |
| 10 | Items Not Tested | 3.6% | 2 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 35,535 miFor every 10,000 miles driven, this shows what percentage of MOT tests fail for each category. This accounts for how far cars are actually driven, not just raw pass/fail counts.
View as table
| Category | Rate / 10K mi | Raw % | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 23.62 | 83.9% | 47 |
| Lamps & Electrical | 13.07 | 46.4% | 26 |
| Suspension | 9.55 | 33.9% | 19 |
| Tyres | 7.54 | 26.8% | 15 |
| Emissions & Exhaust | 6.53 | 23.2% | 13 |
| Visibility | 4.02 | 14.3% | 8 |
| Steering | 3.52 | 12.5% | 7 |
| Body & Structure | 3.52 | 12.5% | 7 |
| Registration Plates and VIN | 1.51 | 5.4% | 3 |
| Items Not Tested | 1.01 | 3.6% | 2 |
🚗 Similar Cars to Consider
Mileage at MOT
The average Aixam 500sl has 35,535 miles when tested for MOT.
📊 Mileage-Adjusted Failure Rate
How often this car fails MOT relative to how much it's driven — a fairer comparison than raw pass rate.
The Aixam 500sl has a mileage-adjusted failure rate of 13.56% per 10,000 miles driven. The average across all makes is 5.38%, so this model is worse than average.
About Aixam 500sl MOT Data
The Aixam 500sl is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 56 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 0 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 51.8% and a failure rate of 48.2%, which is below the UK average of approximately 37%.
For Aixam 500sl owners, these results suggest above-average failure risk — thorough pre-MOT checks are recommended. Focus your pre-MOT checks on brakes and suspension for the best chance of a first-time pass. Use our detailed year-by-year breakdown and failure analysis below to understand how your specific 500sl is likely to perform.
Brakes — 50.0% of failures
Brakes issues account for 50.0% of MOT failures on the Aixam 500sl. Brake-related failures include worn brake pads, corroded brake discs, leaking brake lines, and faulty brake servos. These are safety-critical components — any brake deficiency will result in an MOT fail. Typical repair costs: £150–400. Pre-MOT check: Listen for squealing or grinding noises. Check brake pedal feel — if it feels spongy or goes to the floor, have the system inspected immediately. Look at brake pad thickness through the wheel spokes (minimum 3mm).
Suspension — 30.4% of failures
Suspension issues account for 30.4% of MOT failures on the Aixam 500sl. Suspension failures typically involve worn bushes, leaking shock absorbers, broken coil springs, and damaged suspension arms. These affect ride quality, tyre wear, and road holding. Typical repair costs: £200–500. Pre-MOT check: Look for uneven tyre wear, listen for clunking over bumps, and check if the car pulls to one side. A bouncy ride suggests worn shock absorbers. Visually inspect coil springs for cracks.
Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment — 30.4% of failures
Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment issues account for 30.4% of MOT failures on the Aixam 500sl. Lighting failures cover all external lights: headlights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, fog lights, and reflectors. A single blown bulb will cause an MOT fail. This is one of the most preventable failure categories. Typical repair costs: £5–50. Pre-MOT check: Walk around the car and check every light — headlights (dipped and main beam), side lights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, hazard lights, reverse light, rear fog light, and number plate lights. Replace any blown bulbs before the test.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the Aixam 500sl?
Based on 56 (based on limited data) MOT tests in our database, the Aixam 500sl has an overall pass rate of 51.8% (48.2% fail rate).
What are the most common MOT failures on a Aixam 500sl?
The top 3 reasons a Aixam 500sl fails its MOT are: 1. Brakes (50.0%), 2. Suspension (30.4%), 3. Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment (30.4%). Check these areas before booking your MOT.
Is the Aixam 500sl reliable?
With a 48.2% MOT failure rate, the 500sl is less reliable than average compared to the UK average of ~40%.
What should I check before an MOT on my Aixam 500sl?
Based on failure data, focus on: Brakes (50.0%); Suspension (30.4%); Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment (30.4%). These are the areas most likely to cause a fail. Also check all lights, tyres (minimum 1.6mm tread), and windscreen condition — these are quick wins that apply to all cars.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.