The picture
Carry: a below-average pass rate worth digging into
Across 5,455 MOT tests, the Carry returns 64.8% first-time pass — well below the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is the strength or continuity of the load bearing. Worn suspension bushes and tyre tread under the limit round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 86,166, 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
844 occurrences · 15.5% of tests
- 02
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
276 occurrences · 5.1% of tests
- 03
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
271 occurrences · 5.0% of tests
- 04
Headlamp reflector or lens slightly defective
264 occurrences · 4.8% of tests
- 05
Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced
260 occurrences · 4.8% of tests
- 06
A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources
218 occurrences · 4.0% of tests
- 07
Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view
211 occurrences · 3.9% of tests
- 08
Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction
193 occurrences · 3.5% of tests
- 09
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
172 occurrences · 3.2% of tests
- 10
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
170 occurrences · 3.1% 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.
Worst-case fix budget · top 3 failures
£150–£415
If every one of this Carry'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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Build your own retest budget.
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.
Item 01 · Amazon UK
Digital tyre-tread depth gauge
Five quid for a gauge beats £150 for a retest. UK MOT minimum is 1.6mm — most testers fail anything below 2mm to be safe.
Search Amazon UK
Item 02 · Amazon UK
Headlight restoration kit
Yellowed lenses fail the light-output test. A restoration kit lifts the haze in an afternoon for £20.
Search Amazon UK
Buying or keeping a Carry?
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 Carry 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.