Know Your MOT
13.1%fail rate

Riley Rmb common MOT failures and failure rate

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

Based on 245 MOT tests in DVSA data.

About 13.1% of MOT tests recorded on the Riley Rmb in DVSA data end in a failure. The same handful of items account for most of them.

Its most common failure is brakes, which makes up 43.8% of the Riley Rmb's failures, followed by brakes, lamps & electrical, steering, visibility/wipers. 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

Brakes43.8% 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.

Lamps & electrical34.4% 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.

Steering18.8% 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.

Visibility/wipers18.8% 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.

Suspension15.6% 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.

Exhaust & emissions12.5% 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.

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 brakes failure: Riley Rmb brake pads and discsSearch Amazon for Riley Rmb brake pads and discsaffiliate searchFind Riley Rmb brake pads and discs on eBayaffiliate
For the lamps & electrical failure: Riley Rmb headlight and indicator bulbsSearch Amazon for Riley Rmb headlight and indicator bulbsaffiliate searchFind Riley Rmb headlight and indicator bulbs on eBayaffiliate
For the steering failure: Riley Rmb steering track rod endsSearch Amazon for Riley Rmb steering track rod endsaffiliate searchFind Riley Rmb steering track rod ends on eBayaffiliate
For the visibility/wipers failure: Riley Rmb wiper bladesSearch Amazon for Riley Rmb wiper bladesaffiliate searchFind Riley Rmb wiper blades on eBayaffiliate
For the suspension failure: Riley Rmb suspension springs and shock absorbersSearch Amazon for Riley Rmb suspension springs and shock absorbersaffiliate searchFind Riley Rmb suspension springs and shock absorbers on eBayaffiliate
For the exhaust & emissions failure: Riley Rmb exhaustSearch Amazon for Riley Rmb exhaustaffiliate searchFind Riley Rmb exhaust on eBayaffiliate

Other models

Riley Elf MOT failures22.8% failure rateRiley 1.5 MOT failures18.4% failure rateRiley 1.5 Litre MOT failures14.6% 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