MOT defects

Body, structure and attachments: 158 MOT defect wordings

DVSA MOT tests 2022–2025 · 130,233,413 MOT tests · Updated 7 Oct 2026

158 body, structure and attachments defect wordings were recorded 12,429,732 times in 130,233,413 MOT tests from 2022 to 2025 ^[1].

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All body, structure and attachments wordings

Every wording in this section, most recorded first. Per 100 MOT tests at all ages.
Wording	Recorded as	Per 100 MOT tests
Exhaust system has a minor leak of exhaust gases	advisory	1.92
Drive shaft constant velocity boot severely deteriorated	minor defect	1.40
Drive shaft constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt	fail	1.35
Exhaust system mounting defective	advisory	0.82
Exhaust system has a major leak of exhaust gases	fail	0.75
Chassis condition is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced	advisory	0.38
Integral vehicle structure condition is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced	advisory	0.37
Exhaust system insecure	fail	0.28
Integral vehicle structure condition corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced	fail	0.13
Door condition cannot be opened from outside the vehicle	fail	0.13
Sub-frame is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced	advisory	0.12
Chassis condition or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security	advisory	0.12
Chassis condition or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting	fail	0.081
Chassis condition corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced	fail	0.080
Fuel cap/sealing device ineffective	fail	0.069
Exhaust system silencer slightly loose	advisory	0.061
Engine mounting condition damaged but not to excess	advisory	0.060
Exhaust system noisy	advisory	0.059
Flexible coupling slightly deteriorated	advisory	0.055
Body component damaged and likely to cause injury	fail	0.048
Bumper damaged and likely to cause injury when grazed or contacted	fail	0.047
Fuel system component leaking	fail	0.047
Door condition cannot be opened from inside the vehicle	fail	0.044
Bumper insecure	fail	0.043
Integral vehicle structure condition is deformed but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced	advisory	0.041
Prop shaft joint constant velocity boot no longer prevents the ingress of dirt	fail	0.038
Integral vehicle structure condition or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security	advisory	0.034
Bumper mountings corroded but not likely to become detached	advisory	0.033
Exhaust system silencer insecure	fail	0.033
Integral vehicle structure condition or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting	fail	0.032
Fuel cap/sealing device missing	fail	0.032
Drive shaft worn, but not excessively	advisory	0.029
Prop shaft bearing has slight play	advisory	0.028
Cab or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security	advisory	0.026
Engine mounting condition damaged or deteriorated resulting in excessive movement	fail	0.025
Undertray likely to become detached	fail	0.025
Driver's seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism not functioning as intended	fail	0.022
Prop shaft joint worn, but not excessively	advisory	0.021
Exhaust system shield missing where fitted as original equipment creating a risk of fire	fail	0.020
Towbar component corroded, but not excessively	advisory	0.019
Exhaust system silencer likely to become detached	fail	0.017
Chassis condition is deformed but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced	advisory	0.017
Exhaust system fumes entering cabin	fail	0.016
Body panel corroded and likely to cause injury	fail	0.016
Passenger's seat backrest cannot be secured in the upright position	fail	0.015
Driver's door hinge deteriorated so the door cannot be readily opened or closed	minor defect	0.015
Transmission belt worn, but not excessively	advisory	0.014
Prop shaft bearing excessively worn	fail	0.014
Body panel damaged and likely to cause injury	fail	0.014
Vehicle structure slightly corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting	advisory	0.014
Drive shaft excessively worn	fail	0.013
Body component slightly loose	advisory	0.013
Fuel pipe leaking	fail	0.013
Driver's seat insecure	fail	0.012
Exhaust system noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar vehicle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition	fail	0.012
Body panel slightly loose	advisory	0.012
Fuel tank exhaust shield missing where fitted as original equipment creating a risk of fire	fail	0.012
Passenger's seat insecure	fail	0.012
Cab or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a cab mounting	fail	0.011
Passenger door catch deteriorated so the door cannot be readily opened or closed	minor defect	0.011
Integral vehicle structure condition is repaired but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced	advisory	0.011
Fuel tank insecure	fail	0.011
Prop shaft joint constant velocity boot severely deteriorated	minor defect	0.010
Driver's door catch deteriorated so the door cannot be readily opened or closed	minor defect	0.010
Boot lid condition cannot be secured in the closed position	fail	0.010
Fuel tank leaking	fail	0.010
Fuel hose deteriorated	advisory	0.010
Sub-frame corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced	fail	0.010
Chassis condition is repaired but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced	advisory	0.009
Prop shaft joint excessively worn	fail	0.008
Flexible coupling excessively deteriorated	fail	0.008
Body component insecure	fail	0.008
Body component corroded and likely to cause injury	fail	0.008
Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting	fail	0.008
Fuel tank slightly loose	advisory	0.008
Body condition not fully secure	advisory	0.007
Drive shaft constant velocity boot missing	fail	0.007
Bumper likely to become detached	fail	0.007
Exhaust system fumes causing a danger to health of persons on board	fail	0.007
Chassis condition or chassis has excessive corrosion to the extent that overall security or stability of the body is impaired	fail	0.007
Fuel pipe insecure	fail	0.006
Chassis condition has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering	fail	0.006
Engine mounting bracket damaged or deteriorated resulting in excessive movement	fail	0.005
Front passenger door catch deteriorated so the door cannot be readily opened or closed	minor defect	0.005
Fuel hose leaking	fail	0.005
Fuel system component leaking excessively or a risk of fire	fail	0.005
Spare wheel carrier insecure	fail	0.005
Body panel insecure	fail	0.005
Floor excessively deteriorated	fail	0.004
Integral vehicle structure condition inadequately repaired such that structural rigidity is significantly reduced	fail	0.004
Door condition does not latch securely closed	fail	0.004
Drive shaft bearing excessively worn	fail	0.004
Spare wheel condition insecure in carrier	fail	0.004
Driver's seat with a defective structure	fail	0.004
Integral vehicle structure condition is fractured and structural rigidity is significantly reduced	fail	0.004
Front passenger door hinge deteriorated so the door cannot be readily opened or closed	minor defect	0.004
Body mounting fixing insecure, but overall security not significantly reduced	advisory	0.004
Chassis condition is fractured and structural rigidity is significantly reduced	fail	0.004
Integral vehicle structure condition is fractured but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced	advisory	0.003
Body component likely to become detached	fail	0.003
Drive shaft securing bolt loose	fail	0.003
Chassis condition inadequately repaired such that structural rigidity is significantly reduced	fail	0.003
Driver's seat moving inadvertently	fail	0.003
Integral vehicle structure condition has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering	fail	0.003
Prop shaft joint so worn it is likely to fail	fail	0.003
Chassis condition is fractured but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced	advisory	0.003
Engine mounting condition excessively loose	fail	0.003
Drive shaft damaged but serviceable	advisory	0.003
Towbar component excessively corroded	fail	0.003
Fuel pipe union leaking	fail	0.002
Integral vehicle structure condition or chassis has excessive corrosion to the extent that overall security or stability of the body is impaired	fail	0.002
Door condition likely to open inadvertently or not remain closed	fail	0.002
Integral vehicle structure condition is deformed and structural rigidity is significantly reduced	fail	0.002
Strengthening plate or fastening so insecure that structural rigidity is seriously reduced	fail	0.002
Fuel pipe leaking excessively or a risk of fire	fail	0.002
Fuel cap/sealing device component leaking	fail	0.002
Boot lid component damaged but not likely to cause injury	advisory	0.002
Passenger door hinge deteriorated so the door cannot be readily opened or closed	minor defect	0.002
Towbar condition obstructing the registration plate	minor defect	0.002
Passenger's seat with a defective structure	fail	0.002
Chassis condition is deformed and structural rigidity is significantly reduced	fail	0.002
Drive shaft likely to become detached	fail	0.002
Fuel pipe chafing	minor defect	0.002
Drive shaft so worn it is likely to fail	fail	0.002
Sub-frame has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering	fail	0.002
Body condition insecure	fail	0.002
Fuel pipe damaged	fail	0.002
Sub-frame is deformed but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced	advisory	0.002
Transmission belt excessively worn	fail	0.002
Body mounting fixing insecure	fail	0.001
Boot lid condition slightly loose	advisory	0.001
Fuel tank leaking excessively or a risk of fire	fail	0.001
Driver's door hinge insecure	fail	0.001
Drive shaft securing bolt missing	fail	0.001
Towbar component attachment insecure	fail	0.001
Engine mounting bracket excessively loose	fail	0.001
Prop shaft bearing housing insecure	fail	0.001
Pillar deteriorated so the door cannot be readily opened or closed	minor defect	0.001
Driver's door catch insecure	fail	0.001
Prop shaft likely to become detached	fail	0.001
Drive shaft bearing likely to break up	fail	0.001
Tailgate condition cannot be secured in the closed position	fail	0.001
Driver's seat backrest cannot be secured in the upright position	fail	0.001
Integral vehicle structure condition is modified but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced	advisory	0.001
Vehicle structure is so weakened by corrosion within 30cm of a towbar mounting, the towbar is likely to become detached	fail	0.001
Passenger door catch insecure	fail	0.001
Boot lid component insecure	fail	0.001
Body panel likely to become detached	fail	under 0.001
Boot lid condition insecure	fail	under 0.001
Chassis condition is modified but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced	advisory	under 0.001
Prop shaft bearing housing likely to fail	fail	under 0.001
Prop shaft securing bolt loose	fail	under 0.001
Fuel hose insecure	fail	under 0.001
Prop shaft bearing likely to break up	fail	under 0.001
Drive shaft bearing housing insecure	fail	under 0.001
Body condition has an unsafe modification	fail	under 0.001
Cab step insecure	minor defect	under 0.001
Prop shaft damaged but serviceable	advisory	under 0.001

Was it on the record of the car you are looking at?

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Other sections

Questions people ask

Which body, structure and attachments defect do testers record most?

1.92 in 100 MOT tests record “Exhaust system has a minor leak of exhaust gases”, the most recorded wording in this section (130,233,413 MOT tests).

How many body, structure and attachments wordings are fails?

108 of the 158 wordings here are fails (major or dangerous defects); the others are advisories and minor defects, which pass.

Which body, structure and attachments advisory most often turns into a fail?

14.0% of drive shafts advisories were followed by a fail on it at the next MOT, against 2.1% for cars the same ages without one.

Buying Report £14.99 incl. VAT · one car · no subscription · Not a mechanical inspection.

Sources

Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2022 to 2025. DVSA MOT data, Open Government Licence v3.0, 130,233,413 MOT tests. Accessed 7 Oct 2026.

Rates are per 100 MOT tests of class 4 vehicles (cars and light vans) at each age. Model comparisons are against all class 4 vehicles of the same ages and fuel, pooled over 2022 to 2025 tests: they are not matched on test year or on mileage. Advisory figures count pairs of consecutive MOT tests of the same vehicle: "next MOT" means its next test 300 to 500 days (about 10 to 16 months) later, and the no-advisory comparison is standardised to the advised vehicles' age bands. Repairs between MOTs and breakdowns are not in this data. How we compare