Know Your MOT
12.3%fail rate

Harlequin Jester common MOT failures and failure rate

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

Based on 65 MOT tests in DVSA data.

About 12.3% of MOT tests recorded on the Harlequin Jester in DVSA data end in a failure. The same handful of items account for most of them.

Its most common failure is exhaust & emissions, which makes up 37.5% of the Harlequin Jester's failures, followed by exhaust & emissions, lamps & electrical, other, 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

Exhaust & emissions37.5% 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.

Lamps & electrical37.5% 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.

Other25.0% of failures

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

Suspension25.0% 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.

Steering12.5% 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.

Visibility/wipers12.5% 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.

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 exhaust & emissions failure: Harlequin Jester exhaustSearch Amazon for Harlequin Jester exhaustaffiliate searchFind Harlequin Jester exhaust on eBayaffiliate
For the lamps & electrical failure: Harlequin Jester headlight and indicator bulbsSearch Amazon for Harlequin Jester headlight and indicator bulbsaffiliate searchFind Harlequin Jester headlight and indicator bulbs on eBayaffiliate
For the suspension failure: Harlequin Jester suspension springs and shock absorbersSearch Amazon for Harlequin Jester suspension springs and shock absorbersaffiliate searchFind Harlequin Jester suspension springs and shock absorbers on eBayaffiliate
For the steering failure: Harlequin Jester steering track rod endsSearch Amazon for Harlequin Jester steering track rod endsaffiliate searchFind Harlequin Jester steering track rod ends on eBayaffiliate
For the visibility/wipers failure: Harlequin Jester wiper bladesSearch Amazon for Harlequin Jester wiper bladesaffiliate searchFind Harlequin Jester wiper blades on eBayaffiliate

Other models

Ford Fiesta MOT failures27.1% failure rateFord Focus MOT failures26.1% failure rateVauxhall Corsa MOT failures30.1% failure rateVauxhall Astra MOT failures28.1% failure rate

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