The picture
Rs: middle-of-the-pack on first-time pass
Across 607 MOT tests, the Rs returns 76.8% first-time pass — roughly in line with the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is a non-functioning shock absorber. Footrest missing or insecure and brake pads worn below 1.0 mm round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 11,145, 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 not functioning or leaking severely
15 occurrences · 2.5% of tests
- 02
A footrest missing or insecure
14 occurrences · 2.3% of tests
- 03
Brake lining or pad worn below 1.0mm
13 occurrences · 2.1% of tests
- 04
Reflector missing or reflecting white to the rear
12 occurrences · 2.0% of tests
- 05
Audible warning not working
12 occurrences · 2.0% of tests
- 06
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
9 occurrences · 1.5% of tests
- 07
Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
8 occurrences · 1.3% of tests
- 08
A stop lamp(s) remains on when the brakes are released
8 occurrences · 1.3% of tests
- 09
A direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
8 occurrences · 1.3% of tests
- 10
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
7 occurrences · 1.2% 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 RS?
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 RS 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.