Know Your MOT
7.0%fail rate

Mz 500r common MOT failures and failure rate

What a Mz 500r fails its MOT on, from real DVSA test data, and the part that resolves each item.

Based on 200 MOT tests in DVSA data.

About 7.0% of MOT tests recorded on the Mz 500r in DVSA data end in a failure. The same handful of items account for most of them.

Its most common failure is other, which makes up 21.4% of the Mz 500r's failures, followed by other, lamps & electrical, steering, tyres. 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

Other21.4% of failures

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

Lamps & electrical14.3% 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.

Steering7.1% 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.

Tyres7.1% of failures

Tyres fail for tread below the 1.6mm legal limit across the central three-quarters, uneven or exposed-cord wear, or sidewall damage. The tester inspects all four; a single illegal tyre is a fail.

Fuel system7.1% 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. These are the usual parts; confirm the exact fitment against your registration or VIN before buying.

For the lamps & electrical failure: Mz 500r headlight and indicator bulbsSearch Amazon for Mz 500r headlight and indicator bulbsaffiliate searchFind Mz 500r headlight and indicator bulbs on eBayaffiliate
For the steering failure: Mz 500r steering track rod endsSearch Amazon for Mz 500r steering track rod endsaffiliate searchFind Mz 500r steering track rod ends on eBayaffiliate
For the tyres failure: Mz 500r tyresSearch Amazon for Mz 500r tyresaffiliate searchFind Mz 500r tyres on eBayaffiliate

Other models

Mz Baghira MOT failures16.5% failure rateMz Etz250 MOT failures11.8% failure rateMz Skorpion MOT failures15.5% failure rateFord Fiesta MOT failures27.1% failure rate

Sources: DVSA MOT History API: MOT test results and defect data ยท DVSA MOT testing data for Great Britain