Know Your MOT
31.0%fail rate

Explorer Sm MOT failure rate

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

Based on 29 MOT tests in DVSA data.

We hold 29 MOT tests for the Explorer Sm in the DVSA data. That is a smaller sample than our high-volume models, so treat these figures as indicative rather than definitive.

On what we have, about 31.0% fail, most often on other, brakes, lamps & electrical, suspension. For a precise picture of your own car, use the registration check on the home page. Confirm any part against your registration or VIN before buying.

What it fails on, and why

Other66.7% of failures

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

Brakes44.4% 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 & electrical44.4% 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.

Suspension44.4% 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.

Fuel system11.1% of failures

Fuel-system failures are leaks or an insecure filler cap.

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: Explorer Sm brake pads and discsSearch Amazon for Explorer Sm brake pads and discsaffiliate searchFind Explorer Sm brake pads and discs on eBayaffiliate
For the lamps & electrical failure: Explorer Sm headlight and indicator bulbsSearch Amazon for Explorer Sm headlight and indicator bulbsaffiliate searchFind Explorer Sm headlight and indicator bulbs on eBayaffiliate
For the suspension failure: Explorer Sm suspension springs and shock absorbersSearch Amazon for Explorer Sm suspension springs and shock absorbersaffiliate searchFind Explorer Sm suspension springs and shock absorbers on eBayaffiliate

Other models

Explorer Unknown MOT failures10.1% failure rateExplorer Group Ltd MOT failures15.1% failure rateExplorer Boxer MOT failures20.0% failure rateFord Fiesta MOT failures27.1% failure rate

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