The picture
Hi-Ace: middle-of-the-pack on first-time pass
Across 10,428 MOT tests, the Hi-Ace returns 70.8% first-time pass — below the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is a number-plate lamp out. The strength or continuity of the load bearing and windscreen damage round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 147,266, 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
A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources
888 occurrences · 8.5% of tests
- 02
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
766 occurrences · 7.3% of tests
- 03
Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view
535 occurrences · 5.1% of tests
- 04
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
393 occurrences · 3.8% of tests
- 05
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
350 occurrences · 3.4% of tests
- 06
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
345 occurrences · 3.3% of tests
- 07
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
324 occurrences · 3.1% of tests
- 08
Wiper blade defective
275 occurrences · 2.6% of tests
- 09
Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced
271 occurrences · 2.6% of tests
- 10
A suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated
253 occurrences · 2.4% 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
£48–£125
If every one of this HI Ace'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 HI Ace?
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 HI Ace 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.