Major defect: the vehicle failsHeadlamp aim too low
DVSA wording, MOT inspection manual item 4.1.2 (a)
On the beam setter, a headlamp pointed lower than the manual allows, so it lights less of the road ahead. The aim is set with an adjusting screw, and a levelling dial left on a low setting can cause it, so it is often put right during the test.
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 77of all MOTs fail on it
56%repaired during the test
1 in 22failed on it again at the next MOT
What happened after the fail
Repaired during the test56%
Passed a retest within 35 days40%
Not passed within 35 days4%
By age
0102030+ yrs
Highest at 16 years old: 2% of MOTs.
By mileage
0100k200k+ mi
Highest at 200k miles or more: 2% of MOTs.
Models that fail on this more than other cars their age
Fiat SeicentoOther cars its age: 2 in 10010 in 100
LDV ConvoyOther cars its age: 2 in 1005 in 100
Dacia LoganOther cars its age: 1.0 in 1004 in 100
Dacia SanderoOther cars its age: 1.0 in 1004 in 100
Alfa Romeo GTOther cars its age: 2 in 1004 in 100
Volkswagen LTOther cars its age: 2 in 1003 in 100
Peugeot 205Other cars its age: 2 in 1003 in 100
Nissan CabstarOther cars its age: 1 in 1003 in 100
22 more models
Jaguar X-TypeOther cars its age: 2 in 1003 in 100
Citroen 2CVOther cars its age: 2 in 1003 in 100
Talbot ExpressOther cars its age: 2 in 1003 in 100
Chevrolet LacettiOther cars its age: 2 in 1003 in 100
Citroen RelayOther cars its age: 1 in 1003 in 100
Iveco DailyOther cars its age: 1 in 1002 in 100
Dacia DusterOther cars its age: 1.0 in 1002 in 100
Honda GLROther cars its age: 0.9 in 1002 in 100
MG 3Other cars its age: 1.0 in 1002 in 100
Vauxhall ComboOther cars its age: 1 in 1002 in 100
Citroen DS4Other cars its age: 1 in 1002 in 100
Volkswagen SciroccoOther cars its age: 1 in 1002 in 100
London Taxis INT TX4Other cars its age: 1 in 1002 in 100
Fiat RollerOther cars its age: 1.0 in 1002 in 100
Citroen C4Other cars its age: 1 in 1002 in 100
Mercedes-Benz CitanOther cars its age: 1.0 in 1002 in 100
Hyundai I800Other cars its age: 1 in 1002 in 100
Nissan Nv400Other cars its age: 1.0 in 1002 in 100
SsangYong RodiusOther cars its age: 1 in 1002 in 100
Isuzu Trucks GrafterOther cars its age: 0.9 in 1002 in 100
Renault Trucks MasterOther cars its age: 1 in 1002 in 100
MG 5 ExclusiveOther cars its age: 0.8 in 1001 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.