The picture
740: a strong MOT record by UK norms
Across 3,569 MOT tests, the 740 returns 86.8% first-time pass — comfortably ahead of the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is windscreen damage. A seriously damaged tyre and tyre tread under the limit round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 72,185, 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
74 occurrences · 2.1% of tests
- 02
A tyre seriously damaged
47 occurrences · 1.3% of tests
- 03
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
45 occurrences · 1.3% of tests
- 04
A tyre cords visible or damaged
41 occurrences · 1.1% of tests
- 05
A tyre seriously damaged
40 occurrences · 1.1% of tests
- 06
A suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated
38 occurrences · 1.1% of tests
- 07
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot severely deteriorated
36 occurrences · 1.0% of tests
- 08
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
33 occurrences · 0.9% of tests
- 09
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
25 occurrences · 0.7% of tests
- 10
A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
23 occurrences · 0.6% 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
£120–£190
If every one of this 740'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 740?
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 740 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.