The picture
Virago: above-average pass rates, with caveats
Across 530 MOT tests, the Virago returns 83.6% first-time pass — above the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is a non-functioning shock absorber. Tyre tread under the limit and stiff steering bearings round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 22,937, 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
9 occurrences · 1.7% of tests
- 02
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
8 occurrences · 1.5% of tests
- 03
Steering head bearings excessively stiff, notchy, or with excessive wear or play
6 occurrences · 1.1% of tests
- 04
Rate of flashing not between 60 and 120 times per minute
5 occurrences · 0.9% of tests
- 05
Reflector colour or position not in accordance with the requirements
5 occurrences · 0.9% of tests
- 06
Reflector missing or reflecting white to the rear
5 occurrences · 0.9% of tests
- 07
Exhaust noise levels in excess of those permitted
5 occurrences · 0.9% of tests
- 08
A brake lining or pad contaminated with oil, grease etc
4 occurrences · 0.8% of tests
- 09
A lamp missing or inoperative
4 occurrences · 0.8% of tests
- 10
Exhaust system leaking or insecure
4 occurrences · 0.8% 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
£150–£285
If every one of this Virago'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 →
Try the calculator
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.
Buying or keeping a Virago?
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 Virago 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.