The picture
Tiger 800: a strong MOT record by UK norms
Across 596 MOT tests, the Tiger 800 returns 90.4% first-time pass — comfortably ahead of the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is a non-functioning shock absorber. Contaminated with oil and a binding brake round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 25,009, 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 shock absorber not functioning or leaking severely
8 occurrences · 1.3% of tests
- 02
Contaminated with oil, grease etc
5 occurrences · 0.8% of tests
- 03
Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
5 occurrences · 0.8% of tests
- 04
A brake lining or pad contaminated with oil, grease etc
4 occurrences · 0.7% of tests
- 05
Reflector missing or reflecting white to the rear
4 occurrences · 0.7% of tests
- 06
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
4 occurrences · 0.7% of tests
- 07
Brake lining or pad worn below 1.0mm
3 occurrences · 0.5% of tests
- 08
A transmission belt, chain, sprocket or pulley excessively loose or worn
3 occurrences · 0.5% of tests
- 09
A tyre with a lump, bulge or tear caused by separation or partial failure of its structure, including any lifting of the tread rubber
3 occurrences · 0.5% of tests
- 10
Brake fluid below minimum mark
2 occurrences · 0.3% 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 Tiger 800?
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 Tiger 800 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.