Dangerous defect: the vehicle failsBrake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick
DVSA wording, MOT inspection manual item 1.1.13 (a) (ii)
Brake pads have a layer of friction material that wears down every time the brakes are used. The tester found less than 1.5mm of it left on a pad. Pads are replaced in sets on the same axle.
Can it be driven away? No. GOV.UK says a vehicle with a dangerous problem listed must be repaired before it is driven, with a fine of up to £2,500, a ban and 3 points for driving it. GOV.UK rule
1 in 54of all MOTs fail on it
4%repaired during the test
1 in 35failed on it again at the next MOT
What happened after the fail
Repaired during the test4%
Passed a retest within 35 days93%
Not passed within 35 days4%
By age
0102030+ yrs
Highest at 12 years old: 2% of MOTs.
By mileage
0100k200k+ mi
Highest at 150k to 160k miles: 3% of MOTs.
Models that fail on this more than other cars their age
Fiat BravoOther cars its age: 2 in 1005 in 100
Chevrolet OrlandoOther cars its age: 2 in 1005 in 100
Honda FR-VOther cars its age: 2 in 1005 in 100
Kia CarensOther cars its age: 2 in 1005 in 100
Chevrolet CaptivaOther cars its age: 2 in 1005 in 100
Renault Grand ScenicOther cars its age: 2 in 1004 in 100
Mazda 5Other cars its age: 2 in 1004 in 100
Ford Grand C-MAXOther cars its age: 2 in 1004 in 100
22 more models
Citroen Grand C4Other cars its age: 2 in 1004 in 100
Mercedes-Benz CitanOther cars its age: 2 in 1004 in 100
Chevrolet LacettiOther cars its age: 2 in 1004 in 100
Nissan X-TrailOther cars its age: 2 in 1004 in 100
Renault KoleosOther cars its age: 2 in 1004 in 100
Hyundai I40Other cars its age: 2 in 1004 in 100
Mitsubishi SpaceOther cars its age: 2 in 1004 in 100
Toyota PreviaOther cars its age: 2 in 1004 in 100
SsangYong RextonOther cars its age: 2 in 1004 in 100
Nissan Nv400Other cars its age: 2 in 1004 in 100
Peugeot 5008Other cars its age: 2 in 1004 in 100
Nissan QashqaiOther cars its age: 2 in 1004 in 100
Renault EspaceOther cars its age: 2 in 1004 in 100
Vauxhall VivaroOther cars its age: 2 in 1004 in 100
Nissan PrimeraOther cars its age: 2 in 1004 in 100
Lexus Rx300Other cars its age: 2 in 1004 in 100
Nissan ElgrandOther cars its age: 2 in 1004 in 100
SsangYong TivoliOther cars its age: 2 in 1003 in 100
Mazda 323Other cars its age: 1 in 1003 in 100
Volvo 900Other cars its age: 0.7 in 1001 in 100
Mercedes-Benz 190Other cars its age: 0.4 in 1001.0 in 100
Saab 900Other cars its age: 0.5 in 1001.0 in 100
Out of every 100 MOTs on each model. Models with 20,000 or more MOTs, well above other cars their age, highest first.
Counted from DVSA records of 286,058,652 MOTs,
20 May 2018 to 18 October 2026. A test and its
retests count as one MOT.
About other vehicles, not a prediction for yours: for what to do,
ask a garage. Spotted a mistake? Email
fuzzyreguk@gmail.com.