6.8%fail rate

Bsa C12 common MOT failures and failure rate

What a Bsa C12 fails its MOT on, from real DVSA test data, and the part that resolves each item.

Based on 545 MOT tests in DVSA data.

About 6.8% of MOT tests recorded on the Bsa C12 in DVSA data end in a failure. The same handful of items account for most of them.

Its most common failure is other, which makes up 32.4% of the Bsa C12's failures, followed by other, brakes, lamps & electrical, suspension. Each item below links to the part that resolves it. Confirm the exact fitment against your registration or VIN before buying, and have safety-critical work done by a competent mechanic.

What it fails on, and why

Other32.4% of failures

This covers a range of smaller items, from a non-working horn to a warning light left on.

Brakes18.9% 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 & electrical18.9% 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.

Suspension13.5% 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.

Steering10.8% 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.

Tyres5.4% of failures

Tyres fail for tread below the 1.6mm legal limit across the central three-quarters, uneven or exposed-cord wear, or sidewall damage. The tester inspects all four; a single illegal tyre is a fail.

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. These are the usual parts; confirm the exact fitment against your registration or VIN before buying.

For the brakes failure: Bsa C12 brake pads and discsSearch Amazon for Bsa C12 brake pads and discsaffiliate search Find Bsa C12 brake pads and discs on eBayaffiliate

For the lamps & electrical failure: Bsa C12 headlight and indicator bulbsSearch Amazon for Bsa C12 headlight and indicator bulbsaffiliate search Find Bsa C12 headlight and indicator bulbs on eBayaffiliate

For the suspension failure: Bsa C12 suspension springs and shock absorbersSearch Amazon for Bsa C12 suspension springs and shock absorbersaffiliate search Find Bsa C12 suspension springs and shock absorbers on eBayaffiliate

For the steering failure: Bsa C12 steering track rod endsSearch Amazon for Bsa C12 steering track rod endsaffiliate search Find Bsa C12 steering track rod ends on eBayaffiliate

For the tyres failure: Bsa C12 tyresSearch Amazon for Bsa C12 tyresaffiliate search Find Bsa C12 tyres on eBayaffiliate

Other models

Bsa A10 MOT failures7.8% failure rate Bsa Bantam MOT failures10.2% failure rate Bsa C15 MOT failures10.0% failure rate Ford Fiesta MOT failures27.1% failure rate

Sources: DVSA MOT History API: MOT test results and defect data · DVSA MOT testing data for Great Britain