MOT defects
Identification of the vehicle: 8 MOT defect wordings
DVSA MOT tests 2022–2025 · 130,233,413 MOT tests · Updated
8 identification of the vehicle defect wordings were recorded 3,592,379 times in 130,233,413 MOT tests from 2022 to 2025 [1].
Buying Report £14.99 incl. VAT · one car · no subscription · Not a mechanical inspection.
All identification of the vehicle wordings
| Wording | Recorded as | Per 100 MOT tests |
|---|---|---|
| Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread | advisory | 2.34 |
| Registration plate does not conform to the specified requirements | fail | 0.15 |
| Registration plate inscription illegible | fail | 0.13 |
| Registration plate insecure but not likely to fall off | advisory | 0.069 |
| Registration plate insecure | fail | 0.036 |
| Registration plate missing | fail | 0.017 |
| Registration plate incorrect | fail | 0.010 |
| Registration plate inscription missing | fail | 0.006 |
Was it on the record of the car you are looking at?
These figures are for every car tested. One car's MOT history, by registration, lists each advisory and fail item its testers recorded, and when.
- Check any car's MOT history Every MOT test, fail item, advisory and mileage reading DVSA holds for that registration.
- MOT advisory checker Paste an advisory or defect to read DVSA's wording, its grade and what tends to happen at the next MOT.
Other sections
- Brakes MOT defects183
- Steering MOT defects77
- Visibility MOT defects39
- Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment MOT defects206
- Axles, wheels, tyres and suspension MOT defects259
- Body, structure and attachments MOT defects158
- Other equipment MOT defects30
- Nuisance: noise, emissions and leaks MOT defects56
- Other advisories and older defect codes MOT defects10
Questions people ask
Which identification of the vehicle defect do testers record most?
2.34 in 100 MOT tests record “Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread”, the most recorded wording in this section (130,233,413 MOT tests).
How many identification of the vehicle wordings are fails?
6 of the 8 wordings here are fails (major or dangerous defects); the others are advisories and minor defects, which pass.
Which identification of the vehicle advisory most often turns into a fail?
3.7% of registration plates advisories were followed by a fail on it at the next MOT, against 0.3% 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