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

Updated 05 September 2026.

23.1%fail rate

Herald Street MOT failure rate

What a Herald Street fails its MOT on, and the part that fixes each.

What it fails on, and why

Brakes43.1% 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 & electrical35.3% 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.

Other25.5% of failures

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

Steering3.9% 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 plate2.0% of failures

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

Fuel system2.0% 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. Confirm the exact fitment against your registration or VIN before buying.

For the brakes failure: Herald Street brake pads and discsShop Herald Street brake pads and discs on Amazonaffiliate Find Herald Street brake pads and discs on eBayaffiliate

For the lamps & electrical failure: Herald Street headlight and indicator bulbsShop Herald Street headlight and indicator bulbs on Amazonaffiliate Find Herald Street headlight and indicator bulbs on eBayaffiliate

For the steering failure: Herald Street steering track rod endsShop Herald Street steering track rod ends on Amazonaffiliate Find Herald Street steering track rod ends on eBayaffiliate

For the registration plate failure: Herald Street number plateShop Herald Street number plate on Amazonaffiliate Find Herald Street number plate on eBayaffiliate

Other models

Herald Maverick MOT failures28.2% failure rate Herald Brat MOT failures25.1% failure rate Herald Sk MOT failures24.0% failure rate Ford Fiesta MOT failures27.1% failure rate

Questions and answers

What is the MOT failure rate of the Herald Street?

It fails 23.1% of its MOT tests across the DVSA record, from 221 tests.

What do these cars fail their MOT on most?

The most common failure area is brakes, at 43.1% of this model's failures.