Merlin Kit Car common MOT failures and failure rate
What a Merlin Kit Car fails its MOT on, from real DVSA test data, and the part that resolves each item.
Based on 88 MOT tests in DVSA data.
About 20.5% of MOT tests recorded on the Merlin Kit Car in DVSA data end in a failure. The same handful of items account for most of them.
Its most common failure is lamps & electrical, which makes up 50.0% of the Merlin Kit Car's failures, followed by lamps & electrical, brakes, suspension, exhaust & emissions. 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
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.
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.
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.
This covers a range of smaller items, from a non-working horn to a warning light left on.
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. These are the usual parts; confirm the exact fitment against your registration or VIN before buying.
Other models
Sources: DVSA MOT History API: MOT test results and defect data ยท DVSA MOT testing data for Great Britain