Know Your MOT

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

Updated 05 September 2026.

24.1%fail rate

Microcar Preference MOT failure rate

What a Microcar Preference fails its MOT on, and the part that fixes each.

What it fails on, and why

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.

Other28.6% of failures

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

Visibility/wipers21.4% 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 & emissions21.4% 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 & electrical21.4% 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.

Steering14.3% 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.

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: Microcar Preference brake pads and discsShop Microcar Preference brake pads and discs on AmazonaffiliateFind Microcar Preference brake pads and discs on eBayaffiliate
For the visibility/wipers failure: Microcar Preference wiper bladesShop Microcar Preference wiper blades on AmazonaffiliateFind Microcar Preference wiper blades on eBayaffiliate
For the exhaust & emissions failure: Microcar Preference exhaustShop Microcar Preference exhaust on AmazonaffiliateFind Microcar Preference exhaust on eBayaffiliate
For the lamps & electrical failure: Microcar Preference headlight and indicator bulbsShop Microcar Preference headlight and indicator bulbs on AmazonaffiliateFind Microcar Preference headlight and indicator bulbs on eBayaffiliate
For the steering failure: Microcar Preference steering track rod endsShop Microcar Preference steering track rod ends on AmazonaffiliateFind Microcar Preference steering track rod ends on eBayaffiliate

Other models

Microcar Mc1 MOT failures27.3% failure rateMicrocar Virgo MOT failures26.4% failure rateMicrocar Mgo MOT failures22.3% failure rateFord Fiesta MOT failures27.1% failure rate

Questions and answers

What is the MOT failure rate of the Microcar Preference?

It fails 24.1% of its MOT tests across the DVSA record, from 58 tests.

What do these cars fail their MOT on most?

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