The picture
500: middle-of-the-pack on first-time pass
Across 6,844 MOT tests, the 500 returns 73.0% first-time pass — below the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is a worn shock-absorber bush. A split CV-joint boot and worn suspension bushes round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 65,371, 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 shock absorber bush excessively worn
249 occurrences · 3.6% of tests
- 02
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot severely deteriorated
242 occurrences · 3.5% of tests
- 03
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
218 occurrences · 3.2% of tests
- 04
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
209 occurrences · 3.1% of tests
- 05
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
169 occurrences · 2.5% of tests
- 06
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
156 occurrences · 2.3% of tests
- 07
Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view
128 occurrences · 1.9% of tests
- 08
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
123 occurrences · 1.8% of tests
- 09
A tyre cords visible or damaged
122 occurrences · 1.8% of tests
- 10
A wheel bearing excessively rough
121 occurrences · 1.8% 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
£160–£480
If every one of this 500'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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Build your own retest budget.
Buying or keeping a 500?
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 500 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.