The picture
123: middle-of-the-pack on first-time pass
Across 4,455 MOT tests, the 123 returns 73.7% first-time pass — below the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is windscreen damage. Shock absorber damaged to the extent and tyre tread under the limit round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 116,658, 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
Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view
233 occurrences · 5.2% of tests
- 02
A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage
229 occurrences · 5.1% of tests
- 03
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
207 occurrences · 4.6% of tests
- 04
A tyre cords visible or damaged
106 occurrences · 2.4% of tests
- 05
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
105 occurrences · 2.4% of tests
- 06
A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources
95 occurrences · 2.1% of tests
- 07
a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm
92 occurrences · 2.1% of tests
- 08
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
73 occurrences · 1.6% of tests
- 09
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
73 occurrences · 1.6% of tests
- 10
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
67 occurrences · 1.5% 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 3 failures
£200–£430
If every one of this 123'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 123?
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 123 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.