MOT defects

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment: 206 MOT defect wordings

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

206 lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment defect wordings were recorded 29,167,048 times in 130,233,413 MOT tests from 2022 to 2025 ^[1].

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All lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment wordings

Every wording in this section, most recorded first. Per 100 MOT tests at all ages.
Wording	Recorded as	Per 100 MOT tests
Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources	minor defect	3.00
Position lamp not working	fail	2.54
Stop lamp not working	fail	1.94
Headlamp not working on dipped beam	fail	1.43
Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect	fail	1.29
Headlamp aim too low	fail	1.18
Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps	fail	1.09
Headlamp aim too high	fail	0.87
Headlamp lens slightly defective	minor defect	0.84
Individual direction indicator slightly discoloured	advisory	0.83
Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output	advisory	0.74
Rear fog lamp not working	fail	0.44
Individual direction indicator incorrect colour	fail	0.41
Side repeater not working	fail	0.40
Non-obligatory stop lamp not working	advisory	0.33
Battery insecure but not likely to fall from carrier	minor defect	0.29
Position lamp with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning	minor defect	0.27
Headlamp not working on main beam	fail	0.23
Individual direction indicator not working	fail	0.20
Headlamp aim not tested unable to be tested	fail	0.19
Registration plate lamp does not illuminate simultaneously with the position lamps	fail	0.17
Headlamp insecure	fail	0.16
Headlamp lens seriously defective	fail	0.15
Side repeater lens defective which has no effect on emitted light	minor defect	0.15
Stop lamp with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning	minor defect	0.14
Headlamp has a product on the lens so that the light output is severely reduced	fail	0.14
Rear reflector defective or damaged by up to 50% of the reflecting surface	minor defect	0.14
Headlamp levelling device inoperative	fail	0.13
Reversing lamp inoperative	fail	0.12
Side repeater slightly discoloured	advisory	0.11
Stop lamp all not working	fail	0.10
Headlamp light intensity severely reduced	fail	0.10
Headlamp has a product on the light source but not seriously reducing light output	advisory	0.084
Position lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp	fail	0.067
Headlamp aim not tested	fail	0.065
Direction indicators slightly discoloured	advisory	0.060
Side repeater incorrect colour	fail	0.055
Position lamp light intensity obviously reduced	minor defect	0.051
Registration plate lamp missing in the case of multiple lamps or light sources	minor defect	0.051
Stop lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp	fail	0.049
Hazard warning switch inoperative	fail	0.049
Battery insecure and likely to fall from carrier	fail	0.048
Side repeater with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning	minor defect	0.042
Position lamp slightly affected by the operation of another lamp	advisory	0.042
Stop lamp lens defective which has no effect on emitted light	minor defect	0.042
Individual direction indicator lens defective which has no effect on emitted light	minor defect	0.041
Headlamp light source and lamp not compatible	fail	0.041
Rear fog lamp does not emit a steady red light	fail	0.036
Rear reflector missing	fail	0.036
Position lamp light intensity significantly reduced	fail	0.036
Battery insecure and likely to cause a short circuit	fail	0.035
Headlamp aim too far to the right	fail	0.034
Position lamp with a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning	fail	0.034
Rear fog lamp lens defective which has no effect on emitted light	minor defect	0.034
Headlamp cleaning device for LED or HID headlamp inoperative	fail	0.032
Registration plate lamp insecure	minor defect	0.029
Headlamp aim too low and too far to the right	fail	0.029
Position lamp showing white light to the rear	fail	0.029
Registration plate lamp missing in the case of a single lamp or all lamps	fail	0.028
Headlamp aim too high and too far to the right	fail	0.028
Individual direction indicator adversely affected by the operation of another lamp	fail	0.026
Direction indicators incorrect colour	fail	0.024
Headlamp has a product on the light source so that the light output is severely reduced	fail	0.024
Rear reflector defective or damaged by more than 50% of the reflecting surface	fail	0.023
Rear fog lamp lens defective such that emitted light is adversely affected	fail	0.023
Side repeater missing	fail	0.022
Side repeater light intensity significantly reduced	fail	0.022
Daytime running lamp not working	fail	0.022
Position lamp incorrect colour	minor defect	0.021
Hazard warning switch faulty	minor defect	0.020
Stop lamp emits other than a steady red light	fail	0.020
Stop lamp with a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning	fail	0.020
Position lamp has a product on the lens or light source but not adversely affecting light intensity	advisory	0.020
Stop lamp remains on when the brakes are released	fail	0.020
Headlamp aim too far to the left	fail	0.018
Headlamp are incorrectly positioned	fail	0.018
Direction indicators not working	fail	0.018
Hazard warning lamp inoperative	fail	0.018
Stop lamp light intensity obviously reduced	minor defect	0.017
Headlamp aim too low and too far to the left	fail	0.016
Headlamp reflector slightly defective	minor defect	0.016
Side repeater insecure	minor defect	0.016
Side repeater lens defective such that the emitted light is adversely affected	fail	0.016
Outline marker lamp not working	fail	0.016
Front fog lamp not working	fail	0.016
Direction indicator tell-tale inoperative	minor defect	0.015
Rear fog lamp missing	fail	0.014
Rear fog lamp insecure	minor defect	0.014
Stop lamp light intensity significantly reduced	fail	0.014
Rear fog lamp tell-tale not working	fail	0.013
Horn sound not in accordance with requirements	fail	0.013
Rear fog lamp switch inoperative	fail	0.013
Headlamp aim too high and too far to the left	fail	0.012
Position lamp lens seriously defective	fail	0.012
Individual direction indicator with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning	minor defect	0.012
Registration plate lamp throwing direct white light to the rear	minor defect	0.012
Direction indicator switch faulty	minor defect	0.012
Side repeater with a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning	fail	0.011
Position lamp insecure	minor defect	0.011
Rear reflector insecure	minor defect	0.010
Individual direction indicator slightly affected by the operation of another lamp	advisory	0.009
Electrical wiring inadequately secured	minor defect	0.008
Headlamp levelling device cannot be operated from the driver's seat	fail	0.008
Stop lamp lens defective such that the emitted light is adversely affected	fail	0.008
Electrical wiring insecure	minor defect	0.007
Position lamp missing	fail	0.007
Position lamps with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning	minor defect	0.007
Direction indicator switch inoperative	fail	0.007
Registration plate lamp likely to become detached	fail	0.007
Electrical wiring likely to touch hot or rotating parts	fail	0.007
Individual direction indicator flashing more than 120 times a minute	minor defect	0.007
Rear fog lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp	fail	0.007
Trailer electrical socket (13 pin) not operating the trailer lamps as intended	fail	0.007
Rear fog lamp switch not operating in accordance with the requirements	fail	0.007
Reversing lamp lens defective such that emitted light is adversely affected	minor defect	0.007
Position lamp has a product on the lens or light source which obviously reduces light intensity	minor defect	0.006
Headlamp cleaning device inoperative	minor defect	0.006
Direction indicators flashing more than 120 times a minute	minor defect	0.006
Rear fog lamp with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning	minor defect	0.006
Stop lamp slightly affected by the operation of another lamp	advisory	0.006
Reversing lamp does not emit a steady white light	fail	0.006
Trailer electrical socket insecure	minor defect	0.006
Individual direction indicator light intensity significantly reduced	fail	0.006
Headlamp incorrect colour	fail	0.005
Stop lamp missing	fail	0.005
Position lamp has a product on the lens or light source which shows white light to the rear	fail	0.005
Electrical wiring insecure and connectors likely to become disconnected	fail	0.005
Rear fog lamp light intensity significantly reduced	fail	0.005
Main beam tell-tale not working	fail	0.005
Front fog lamp insecure	minor defect	0.005
Individual direction indicator insecure	minor defect	0.005
Individual direction indicator lens defective such that the emitted light is adversely affected	fail	0.005
Position lamp switch does not operate in accordance with the requirements	fail	0.004
Side repeater likely to become detached	fail	0.004
Rear fog lamp likely to become detached	fail	0.004
Headlamps are not the same colour	fail	0.004
Hazard warning tell-tale inoperative	minor defect	0.004
Dipswitch does not operate immediately when selected on main beam	fail	0.004
Position lamp likely to become detached	fail	0.003
Front fog lamp lens defective which has no effect on emitted light	minor defect	0.003
Rear fog lamp switch missing	fail	0.003
Position lamps adversely affected by the operation of another lamp	fail	0.003
Headlamp reflector seriously defective	fail	0.003
Trailer electrical socket (13 pin) not functioning at all	fail	0.003
Headlamp has less than 1/2 LEDs not functioning	minor defect	0.003
Trailer electrical socket wiring insulation damaged or deteriorated	minor defect	0.003
Battery leaking	fail	0.003
Rear reflector not red in colour	minor defect	0.003
Reversing lamp switch does not operate automatically when reverse gear is selected	fail	0.003
Stop lamp insecure	minor defect	0.002
Side repeater flashing more than 120 times a minute	minor defect	0.002
Direction indicators adversely affected by the operation of another lamp	fail	0.002
Position lamps have a product on the lenses but not adversely affecting light output	advisory	0.002
Outline marker lamp with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning	minor defect	0.002
Stop lamp likely to become detached	fail	0.002
Side repeater obviously incorrectly positioned	fail	0.002
Rear fog lamp obviously incorrectly positioned	fail	0.002
Rear reflector likely to become detached	fail	0.002
Headlamp switch does not immediately illuminate all dipped beam headlamps	minor defect	0.002
Dipswitch does not operate immediately when selected on dipped beam	fail	0.002
Rear reflector reflecting white to the rear	fail	0.002
Individual direction indicator missing	fail	0.002
Electrical wiring insecure and in contact with sharp edges	fail	0.002
Headlamp switch does not immediately illuminate all main beam headlamps	minor defect	0.002
Horn control insecure	minor defect	0.002
Trailer electrical socket likely to become detached	fail	0.002
Headlamp has a product on the lens which changes emitted colour to other than white or yellow	fail	0.002
Individual direction indicator with a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning	fail	0.002
Rear fog lamp slightly affected by the operation of another lamp	advisory	0.002
Stop lamp switch with a delay in operation	fail	0.002
Position lamps light intensity significantly reduced	fail	0.002
Electrical wiring insulation slightly damaged or deteriorated	minor defect	0.002
Position lamp switch does not illuminate the front and rear position lamps with a single operation	fail	0.002
Position lamp has a product on the lens or light source which changes the emitted colour	minor defect	0.002
Stop lamp switch does not operate in accordance with the requirements	minor defect	0.002
Electrical wiring likely to drag on the ground	fail	0.002
Position lamps light intensity obviously reduced	minor defect	0.002
Position lamp has a product on the lens or light source which significantly reduces light intensity	fail	0.002
Individual direction indicator likely to become detached	fail	0.002
Trailer electrical socket wiring insulation damaged or deteriorated and likely to cause a short-circuit	fail	0.002
Dipswitch operation does not deflect all main beam headlamps to make them dipped beams	fail	0.002
Hazard warning tell-tale is not a flashing light	minor defect	0.002
Reversing lamp insecure	minor defect	0.002
Electrical wiring insulation so damaged or deteriorated it is likely to cause a short-circuit	fail	0.001
Position lamps slightly affected by the operation of another lamp	advisory	0.001
Side repeater flashing less than 60 times a minute	minor defect	0.001
Semaphore indicator arm slightly discoloured	advisory	0.001
Rear fog lamp does not face the rear	fail	0.001
Headlamp missing	fail	0.001
Hazard warning switch insecure	minor defect	0.001
Electrical wiring slightly deteriorated	minor defect	0.001
Dipswitch operation does not extinguish all main beam headlamps leaving at least one pair of dipped beam headlamps	fail	0.001
Side repeater does not face the side	fail	0.001
Rear fog lamp tell-tale missing	fail	0.001
Daytime running lamp with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning	minor defect	0.001
Front fog lamp switch inoperative	fail	0.001
Position lamp obviously incorrectly positioned	minor defect	under 0.001
Individual direction indicator flashing less than 60 times a minute	minor defect	under 0.001
Position lamps have a product on the lenses or light sources which obviously reduces light intensity	minor defect	under 0.001
Direction indicators slightly affected by the operation of another lamp	advisory	under 0.001
Rear fog lamp with a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning	fail	under 0.001
Outline marker lamp does not illuminate simultaneously with the position lamps	fail	under 0.001
Electrical wiring insulation in such a condition there is an imminent risk of fire or formation of sparks	fail	under 0.001
Electrical wiring for braking components extremely deteriorated	fail	under 0.001
Electrical wiring connectors for braking disconnected	fail	under 0.001
Daytime running lamp insecure	minor defect	under 0.001

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Other sections

Questions people ask

Which lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment defect do testers record most?

3.00 in 100 MOT tests record “Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources”, the most recorded wording in this section (130,233,413 MOT tests).

How many lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment wordings are fails?

128 of the 206 wordings here are fails (major or dangerous defects); the others are advisories and minor defects, which pass.

Which lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment advisory most often turns into a fail?

12.4% of horn advisories were followed by a fail on it at the next MOT, against 0.6% 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