MOT failure rate and common problems for the Ford Bailey, and how to check your own car by registration.
Updated 05 September 2026.
Ford Bailey MOT failure rate
What a Ford Bailey fails its MOT on, and the part that fixes each.
What it fails on, and why
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.
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.
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.
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.
A missing, damaged, dirty or incorrectly-spaced number plate, or one using the wrong font, will fail. A replacement plate is inexpensive.
Failure rate by year
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.
Other models
Questions and answers
What is the MOT failure rate of the Ford Bailey?
It fails 10.2% of its MOT tests across the DVSA record, from 441 tests.
What do these cars fail their MOT on most?
The most common failure area is lamps & electrical, at 35.6% of this model's failures.
Does MOT failure rate change with the year of the car?
Yes. In this model the failure rate ranges from about 9.1% for the best year to 11.8% for the worst.