Know Your MOT

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

Updated 05 September 2026.

21.4%fail rate

Mgb Convertible MOT failure rate

What a Mgb Convertible fails its MOT on, and the part that fixes each.

What it fails on, and why

Lamps & electrical50.0% 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.

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.

Brakes25.0% 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/wipers16.7% 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.

Exhaust & emissions8.3% 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.

Seat belts8.3% of failures

Seat-belt failures are frays, cuts, corroded anchorages, or a belt that will not lock under a sharp pull or retract properly.

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 lamps & electrical failure: Mgb Convertible headlight and indicator bulbsShop Mgb Convertible headlight and indicator bulbs on AmazonaffiliateFind Mgb Convertible headlight and indicator bulbs on eBayaffiliate
For the suspension failure: Mgb Convertible suspension springs and shock absorbersShop Mgb Convertible suspension springs and shock absorbers on AmazonaffiliateFind Mgb Convertible suspension springs and shock absorbers on eBayaffiliate
For the brakes failure: Mgb Convertible brake pads and discsShop Mgb Convertible brake pads and discs on AmazonaffiliateFind Mgb Convertible brake pads and discs on eBayaffiliate
For the visibility/wipers failure: Mgb Convertible wiper bladesShop Mgb Convertible wiper blades on AmazonaffiliateFind Mgb Convertible wiper blades on eBayaffiliate
For the exhaust & emissions failure: Mgb Convertible exhaustShop Mgb Convertible exhaust on AmazonaffiliateFind Mgb Convertible exhaust on eBayaffiliate
For the seat belts failure: Mgb Convertible seat beltsShop Mgb Convertible seat belts on AmazonaffiliateFind Mgb Convertible seat belts on eBayaffiliate

Other models

Mgb Roadster MOT failures19.6% failure rateMgb Gt MOT failures24.4% failure rateMgb R8 MOT failures30.0% failure rateFord Fiesta MOT failures27.1% failure rate

Questions and answers

What is the MOT failure rate of the Mgb Convertible?

It fails 21.4% of its MOT tests across the DVSA record, from 56 tests.

What do these cars fail their MOT on most?

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