The picture
Unclassified: above-average pass rates, with caveats
Across 1,691 MOT tests, the Unclassified returns 81.4% first-time pass — above the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is windscreen damage. Tyre tread under the limit and a lamp out round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 84,054, 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
54 occurrences · 3.2% of tests
- 02
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
39 occurrences · 2.3% of tests
- 03
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
31 occurrences · 1.8% of tests
- 04
A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage
29 occurrences · 1.7% of tests
- 05
A flexible brake hose excessively damaged, deteriorated, chafed, twisted or stretched
21 occurrences · 1.2% of tests
- 06
A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources
20 occurrences · 1.2% of tests
- 07
Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement
19 occurrences · 1.1% of tests
- 08
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
19 occurrences · 1.1% of tests
- 09
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
18 occurrences · 1.1% of tests
- 10
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
18 occurrences · 1.1% 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 Unclassified?
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 Unclassified 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.