MOT failure rate and common problems for the Austin Half, and how to check your own car by registration.

Updated 05 September 2026.

17.4%fail rate

Austin Half MOT failure rate

What a Austin Half fails its MOT on, and the part that fixes each.

What it fails on, and why

Brakes41.2% of failures

Brake failures cover worn pads and discs, an imbalance between wheels, corroded or scored discs, or a binding caliper. Braking efficiency is measured on a rolling road, so a spongy or pulling brake shows up as a low reading.

Lamps & electrical35.3% of failures

Lighting is the single most common MOT failure and the cheapest to put right. A blown headlight, brake-light or number-plate bulb, a cracked lens, or a headlamp beam that points too high or low will all fail. Most are a two-minute bulb swap.

Suspension31.4% of failures

Suspension failures usually mean a worn or snapped coil spring, a leaking shock absorber, or play in a lower arm ball joint or bush. The tester checks for corrosion, fractures and excessive movement. A broken front spring is one of the most common failures on higher-mileage cars and is a straightforward replacement.

Visibility/wipers15.7% of failures

Visibility failures include torn or smearing wiper blades, a washer jet that does not reach the screen, and chips or cracks in the driver's swept area. Blades and washer fluid are quick, cheap fixes.

Steering13.7% of failures

Steering faults are typically worn track-rod ends or ball joints, play in the rack, or a split gaiter letting grease out and dirt in. Excessive free play at the wheel fails.

Seat belts13.7% of failures

Seat-belt failures are frays, cuts, corroded anchorages, or a belt that will not lock under a sharp pull or retract properly.

The parts that fix each

If your car has just failed, you have 10 working days to fix the items and get a free partial retest. Confirm the exact fitment against your registration or VIN before buying.

For the brakes failure: Austin Half brake pads and discsShop Austin Half brake pads and discs on Amazonaffiliate Find Austin Half brake pads and discs on eBayaffiliate

For the lamps & electrical failure: Austin Half headlight and indicator bulbsShop Austin Half headlight and indicator bulbs on Amazonaffiliate Find Austin Half headlight and indicator bulbs on eBayaffiliate

For the suspension failure: Austin Half suspension springs and shock absorbersShop Austin Half suspension springs and shock absorbers on Amazonaffiliate Find Austin Half suspension springs and shock absorbers on eBayaffiliate

For the visibility/wipers failure: Austin Half wiper bladesShop Austin Half wiper blades on Amazonaffiliate Find Austin Half wiper blades on eBayaffiliate

For the steering failure: Austin Half steering track rod endsShop Austin Half steering track rod ends on Amazonaffiliate Find Austin Half steering track rod ends on eBayaffiliate

For the seat belts failure: Austin Half seat beltsShop Austin Half seat belts on Amazonaffiliate Find Austin Half seat belts on eBayaffiliate

Other models

All Austin models MOT failure rates comparedRanked worst to best Austin MINI MOT failures32.8% failure rate Austin Metro MOT failures33.4% failure rate Ford Fiesta MOT failures27.1% failure rate

Questions and answers

What is the MOT failure rate of the Austin Half?

It fails 17.4% of its MOT tests across the DVSA record, from 293 tests.

What do these cars fail their MOT on most?

The most common failure area is brakes, at 41.2% of this model's failures.