Know Your MOT
45.5%fail rate

Tmec 125 MOT failure rate

What a Tmec 125 fails its MOT on, from real DVSA test data, and the part that resolves each item.

Based on 55 MOT tests in DVSA data.

We hold 55 MOT tests for the Tmec 125 in the DVSA data. That is a smaller sample than our high-volume models, so treat these figures as indicative rather than definitive.

On what we have, about 45.5% fail, most often on lamps & electrical, other, brakes, suspension. For a precise picture of your own car, use the registration check on the home page. Confirm any part against your registration or VIN before buying.

What it fails on, and why

Lamps & electrical44.0% 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.

Other40.0% of failures

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

Brakes36.0% 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.

Suspension24.0% 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.

Steering16.0% 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.

Registration plate8.0% of failures

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

For the lamps & electrical failure: Tmec 125 headlight and indicator bulbsSearch Amazon for Tmec 125 headlight and indicator bulbsaffiliate searchFind Tmec 125 headlight and indicator bulbs on eBayaffiliate
For the brakes failure: Tmec 125 brake pads and discsSearch Amazon for Tmec 125 brake pads and discsaffiliate searchFind Tmec 125 brake pads and discs on eBayaffiliate
For the suspension failure: Tmec 125 suspension springs and shock absorbersSearch Amazon for Tmec 125 suspension springs and shock absorbersaffiliate searchFind Tmec 125 suspension springs and shock absorbers on eBayaffiliate
For the steering failure: Tmec 125 steering track rod endsSearch Amazon for Tmec 125 steering track rod endsaffiliate searchFind Tmec 125 steering track rod ends on eBayaffiliate
For the registration plate failure: Tmec 125 number plateSearch Amazon for Tmec 125 number plateaffiliate searchFind Tmec 125 number plate on eBayaffiliate

Other models

Tmec Enduro MOT failures40.8% failure rateTmec Tmec MOT failures42.1% failure rateTmec Mt MOT failures31.6% 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