Major defect: the vehicle failsEngine MIL inoperative or indicates a malfunction
DVSA wording, MOT inspection manual item 8.2.1.2 (h)
The engine malfunction indicator lamp (MIL), often called the engine management light, either stayed on, which means the engine computer has logged a fault, or did not light at all when the ignition was switched on. This item is in the petrol part of the manual and the figures here are for petrol engines. Diesels have the same check under 8.2.2.2 (g).
Can it be driven away? Only if its current MOT is still valid and no dangerous problem was listed, and it must still be roadworthy. GOV.UK rule
1 in 107of all MOTs fail on it
16%repaired during the test
1 in 5failed on it again at the next MOT
What happened after the fail
Repaired during the test16%
Passed a retest within 35 days75%
Not passed within 35 days8%
By age
0102030+ yrs
Highest at 17 years old: 2% of MOTs.
By mileage
0100k200k+ mi
Highest at 120k to 130k miles: 2% of MOTs.
Models that fail on this more than other cars their age
Suzuki CarryOther cars its age: 2 in 1006 in 100
Mazda RX-8Other cars its age: 2 in 1005 in 100
SEAT ArosaOther cars its age: 2 in 1005 in 100
Volkswagen LupoOther cars its age: 2 in 1005 in 100
Mitsubishi SpaceOther cars its age: 2 in 1004 in 100
Volkswagen BeetleOther cars its age: 1 in 1004 in 100
Chevrolet KalosOther cars its age: 2 in 1004 in 100
Audi A2Other cars its age: 2 in 1004 in 100
22 more models
Saab 9-5Other cars its age: 2 in 1004 in 100
Toyota PreviaOther cars its age: 2 in 1004 in 100
Jaguar X-TypeOther cars its age: 2 in 1004 in 100
Vauxhall ZafiraOther cars its age: 1 in 1004 in 100
Chevrolet LacettiOther cars its age: 1 in 1004 in 100
Subaru LegacyOther cars its age: 2 in 1003 in 100
Chevrolet AveoOther cars its age: 1 in 1003 in 100
Chevrolet CruzeOther cars its age: 0.9 in 1003 in 100
Subaru ForesterOther cars its age: 1 in 1003 in 100
Vauxhall MerivaOther cars its age: 1 in 1003 in 100
Vauxhall CorsaOther cars its age: 1.0 in 1002 in 100
Chevrolet OrlandoOther cars its age: 0.9 in 1002 in 100
Peugeot RCZOther cars its age: 0.9 in 1002 in 100
Volkswagen CrafterOther cars its age: 0.7 in 1002 in 100
Vauxhall AdamOther cars its age: 0.6 in 1001 in 100
Isuzu Trucks GrafterOther cars its age: 0.4 in 1001 in 100
MAN TGEOther cars its age: 0.3 in 1001 in 100
Jeep RenegadeOther cars its age: 0.5 in 1001 in 100
Saab 900Other cars its age: 0.3 in 1001.0 in 100
Fiat TipoOther cars its age: 0.4 in 1000.9 in 100
Mercedes-Benz XOther cars its age: 0.4 in 1000.9 in 100
LEVC TXOther cars its age: 0.2 in 1000.5 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.