Know Your MOT

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

Updated 05 September 2026.

24.5%fail rate

DAF Motor MOT failure rate

What a DAF Motor fails its MOT on, and the part that fixes each.

What it fails on, and why

Suspension26.1% 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.

Lamps & electrical26.1% 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.

Exhaust & emissions17.4% of failures

Exhaust failures cover leaks, insecure mountings and emissions over the limit. A blowing exhaust, a failed lambda reading or a diesel that smokes beyond the limit will fail.

Brakes13.0% 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.

Other8.7% of failures

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

Steering4.3% 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.

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 suspension failure: DAF Motor suspension springs and shock absorbersShop DAF Motor suspension springs and shock absorbers on AmazonaffiliateFind DAF Motor suspension springs and shock absorbers on eBayaffiliate
For the lamps & electrical failure: DAF Motor headlight and indicator bulbsShop DAF Motor headlight and indicator bulbs on AmazonaffiliateFind DAF Motor headlight and indicator bulbs on eBayaffiliate
For the exhaust & emissions failure: DAF Motor exhaustShop DAF Motor exhaust on AmazonaffiliateFind DAF Motor exhaust on eBayaffiliate
For the brakes failure: DAF Motor brake pads and discsShop DAF Motor brake pads and discs on AmazonaffiliateFind DAF Motor brake pads and discs on eBayaffiliate
For the steering failure: DAF Motor steering track rod endsShop DAF Motor steering track rod ends on AmazonaffiliateFind DAF Motor steering track rod ends on eBayaffiliate

Other models

DAF Lf MOT failures14.5% failure rateDAF Cf MOT failures13.3% failure rateDAF Xf MOT failures9.5% failure rateFord Fiesta MOT failures27.1% failure rate

Questions and answers

What is the MOT failure rate of the DAF Motor?

It fails 24.5% of its MOT tests across the DVSA record, from 94 tests.

What do these cars fail their MOT on most?

The most common failure area is suspension, at 26.1% of this model's failures.