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MOT fail: number plate lamp not working

Major defect: the vehicle fails Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps DVSA wording, MOT inspection manual item 4.7.1 (b) (ii)

The lamp over the rear number plate did not light, on a car with one lamp, or none of them did on a car with more. A blown bulb 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

What happened after the fail

  • Repaired during the test32%
  • Passed a retest within 35 days63%
  • Not passed within 35 days4%

By age

Highest at 15 years old: 2% of MOTs.

By mileage

Highest at 200k miles or more: 3% of MOTs.

Models that fail on this more than other cars their age

  • Citroen DS4Other cars its age: 1 in 1007 in 100
  • Nissan PrimastarOther cars its age: 2 in 1006 in 100
  • Citroen Grand C4Other cars its age: 2 in 1005 in 100
  • Renault KangooOther cars its age: 1 in 1005 in 100
  • SsangYong TivoliOther cars its age: 0.7 in 1005 in 100
  • Nissan Nv200Other cars its age: 1 in 1005 in 100
  • Talbot ExpressOther cars its age: 1 in 1005 in 100
  • Iveco DailyOther cars its age: 1 in 1004 in 100
22 more models
  • Citroen BerlingoOther cars its age: 1 in 1004 in 100
  • Citroen DispatchOther cars its age: 1 in 1004 in 100
  • Peugeot PartnerOther cars its age: 1 in 1004 in 100
  • SsangYong KorandoOther cars its age: 0.9 in 1004 in 100
  • Mercedes-Benz CitanOther cars its age: 0.8 in 1004 in 100
  • Isuzu Trucks GrafterOther cars its age: 0.7 in 1004 in 100
  • Vauxhall VivaroOther cars its age: 1 in 1004 in 100
  • Chevrolet OrlandoOther cars its age: 1 in 1004 in 100
  • Ford TransitOther cars its age: 1 in 1004 in 100
  • Renault TraficOther cars its age: 1 in 1004 in 100
  • Toyota ProaceOther cars its age: 0.6 in 1004 in 100
  • Peugeot ExpertOther cars its age: 1 in 1003 in 100
  • Peugeot 2008Other cars its age: 0.7 in 1003 in 100
  • Citroen RelayOther cars its age: 1 in 1003 in 100
  • Fiat FiorinoOther cars its age: 1 in 1003 in 100
  • Nissan Nv400Other cars its age: 0.8 in 1003 in 100
  • Hyundai I800Other cars its age: 1 in 1003 in 100
  • DS DS4Other cars its age: 0.7 in 1003 in 100
  • Peugeot 5008Other cars its age: 0.9 in 1002 in 100
  • Renault Trucks MasterOther cars its age: 0.8 in 1002 in 100
  • Yamaha Gpd125-AOther cars its age: 0.5 in 1002 in 100
  • MG 5 ExclusiveOther cars its age: 0.4 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.

Check a car's MOT history

Every test, fail and advisory, free, from the whole registration.