Major defect: the vehicle failsExhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases
DVSA wording, MOT inspection manual item 6.1.2 (a)
Exhaust gas is escaping from a joint, pipe or silencer, more than the small leak that is only an advisory. A rusted pipe or silencer is the usual cause.
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 128of all MOTs fail on it
3%repaired during the test
1 in 18failed on it again at the next MOT
What happened after the fail
Repaired during the test3%
Passed a retest within 35 days86%
Not passed within 35 days11%
By age
0102030+ yrs
Highest at 19 years old: 2% of MOTs.
By mileage
0100k200k+ mi
Highest at 130k to 140k miles: 2% of MOTs.
Models that fail on this more than other cars their age
Nissan TerranoOther cars its age: 2 in 1006 in 100
Hyundai CoupeOther cars its age: 2 in 1006 in 100
SEAT ArosaOther cars its age: 2 in 1005 in 100
Peugeot 206Other cars its age: 2 in 1005 in 100
Volvo 900Other cars its age: 2 in 1005 in 100
Isuzu TrooperOther cars its age: 2 in 1005 in 100
Volkswagen FOXOther cars its age: 1 in 1005 in 100
Mitsubishi PajeroOther cars its age: 2 in 1004 in 100
22 more models
Fiat PuntoOther cars its age: 1 in 1004 in 100
Fiat Grande PuntoOther cars its age: 1 in 1004 in 100
Fiat BravoOther cars its age: 1 in 1004 in 100
Mazda 5Other cars its age: 1 in 1004 in 100
Nissan PathfinderOther cars its age: 1 in 1004 in 100
Fiat Grand PuntoOther cars its age: 1 in 1004 in 100
Chevrolet CaptivaOther cars its age: 0.9 in 1003 in 100
Chevrolet AveoOther cars its age: 1.0 in 1003 in 100
Isuzu D-MAXOther cars its age: 0.3 in 1003 in 100
Vauxhall ZafiraOther cars its age: 1.0 in 1002 in 100
Alfa Romeo MitoOther cars its age: 0.8 in 1002 in 100
Fiat DobloOther cars its age: 0.8 in 1002 in 100
SsangYong RextonOther cars its age: 0.7 in 1002 in 100
Peugeot HorizonOther cars its age: 0.3 in 1001 in 100
Vauxhall MokkaOther cars its age: 0.3 in 1001 in 100
Peugeot 208Other cars its age: 0.3 in 1001 in 100
Nissan JukeOther cars its age: 0.4 in 1001.0 in 100
Isuzu Trucks GrafterOther cars its age: 0.2 in 1000.8 in 100
Ford EcosportOther cars its age: 0.2 in 1000.7 in 100
Ford AlliedOther cars its age: 0.1 in 1000.6 in 100
DS DS4Other cars its age: 0.2 in 1000.6 in 100
Vauxhall CrosslandOther cars its age: 0.1 in 1000.4 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.