Know Your MOT
21.0%fail rate

Formula F27 common MOT failures and failure rate

What a Formula F27 fails its MOT on, from real DVSA test data, and the part that resolves each item.

Based on 62 MOT tests in DVSA data.

About 21.0% of MOT tests recorded on the Formula F27 in DVSA data end in a failure. The same handful of items account for most of them.

Its most common failure is brakes, which makes up 30.8% of the Formula F27's failures, followed by brakes, exhaust & emissions, visibility/wipers, lamps & electrical. 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

Brakes30.8% 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.

Exhaust & emissions23.1% 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.

Visibility/wipers15.4% 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.

Lamps & electrical15.4% 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.

Steering15.4% 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.

Registration plate7.7% of failures

A missing, damaged, dirty or incorrectly-spaced number plate, or one using the wrong font, will fail. A replacement plate is inexpensive.

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: Formula F27 brake pads and discsSearch Amazon for Formula F27 brake pads and discsaffiliate searchFind Formula F27 brake pads and discs on eBayaffiliate
For the exhaust & emissions failure: Formula F27 exhaustSearch Amazon for Formula F27 exhaustaffiliate searchFind Formula F27 exhaust on eBayaffiliate
For the visibility/wipers failure: Formula F27 wiper bladesSearch Amazon for Formula F27 wiper bladesaffiliate searchFind Formula F27 wiper blades on eBayaffiliate
For the lamps & electrical failure: Formula F27 headlight and indicator bulbsSearch Amazon for Formula F27 headlight and indicator bulbsaffiliate searchFind Formula F27 headlight and indicator bulbs on eBayaffiliate
For the steering failure: Formula F27 steering track rod endsSearch Amazon for Formula F27 steering track rod endsaffiliate searchFind Formula F27 steering track rod ends on eBayaffiliate
For the registration plate failure: Formula F27 number plateSearch Amazon for Formula F27 number plateaffiliate searchFind Formula F27 number plate on eBayaffiliate

Other models

Formula 27 MOT failures17.1% failure rateFormula Kit Car MOT failures11.1% failure rateFormula 27 Clubman MOT failures25.0% 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