The picture
300 Zx: middle-of-the-pack on first-time pass
Across 565 MOT tests, the 300 Zx returns 75.9% first-time pass — roughly in line with the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is the strength or continuity of the load bearing. Battery insecure but not likely to fall and lambda coefficient outside the default limits round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 92,993, 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
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
27 occurrences · 4.8% of tests
- 02
A battery insecure but not likely to fall from carrier
17 occurrences · 3.0% of tests
- 03
Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer
17 occurrences · 3.0% of tests
- 04
Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
15 occurrences · 2.7% of tests
- 05
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
13 occurrences · 2.3% of tests
- 06
Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated
12 occurrences · 2.1% of tests
- 07
A headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED
12 occurrences · 2.1% of tests
- 08
An obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or rear fog lamp inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
12 occurrences · 2.1% of tests
- 09
A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources
12 occurrences · 2.1% of tests
- 10
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
11 occurrences · 1.9% 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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Buying or keeping a 300 ZX?
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 300 ZX 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.