Know Your MOT

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

Updated 05 September 2026.

11.8%fail rate

Jowett Javalin MOT failure rate

What a Jowett Javalin fails its MOT on, and the part that fixes each.

What it fails on, and why

Suspension50.0% 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.

Brakes50.0% 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.

Visibility/wipers33.3% 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.

Other16.7% of failures

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

Exhaust & emissions16.7% 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.

Registration plate16.7% 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. Confirm the exact fitment against your registration or VIN before buying.

For the suspension failure: Jowett Javalin suspension springs and shock absorbersShop Jowett Javalin suspension springs and shock absorbers on AmazonaffiliateFind Jowett Javalin suspension springs and shock absorbers on eBayaffiliate
For the brakes failure: Jowett Javalin brake pads and discsShop Jowett Javalin brake pads and discs on AmazonaffiliateFind Jowett Javalin brake pads and discs on eBayaffiliate
For the visibility/wipers failure: Jowett Javalin wiper bladesShop Jowett Javalin wiper blades on AmazonaffiliateFind Jowett Javalin wiper blades on eBayaffiliate
For the exhaust & emissions failure: Jowett Javalin exhaustShop Jowett Javalin exhaust on AmazonaffiliateFind Jowett Javalin exhaust on eBayaffiliate
For the registration plate failure: Jowett Javalin number plateShop Jowett Javalin number plate on AmazonaffiliateFind Jowett Javalin number plate on eBayaffiliate

Other models

Jowett Javelin MOT failures14.8% failure rateJowett Jupiter MOT failures10.6% failure rateJowett Bradford MOT failures9.0% failure rateFord Fiesta MOT failures27.1% failure rate

Questions and answers

What is the MOT failure rate of the Jowett Javalin?

It fails 11.8% of its MOT tests across the DVSA record, from 51 tests.

What do these cars fail their MOT on most?

The most common failure area is suspension, at 50.0% of this model's failures.