MOT failure rate and common problems for the Phillips Gadabout, and how to check your own car by registration.
Updated 05 September 2026.
Phillips Gadabout MOT failure rate
What a Phillips Gadabout fails its MOT on, and the part that fixes each.
What it fails on, and why
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.
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.
This covers a range of smaller items, from a non-working horn to a warning light left on.
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.
Other models
Questions and answers
What is the MOT failure rate of the Phillips Gadabout?
It fails 3.3% of its MOT tests across the DVSA record, from 61 tests.
What do these cars fail their MOT on most?
The most common failure area is brakes, at 100.0% of this model's failures.