Research highlights unusual reasons for MOT failures
Motorists in the UK are failing MOTs for a wide range of obscure reasons, according to new research from online marketplace, eBay.
While suspension faults topped the list for overall failures – with broken springs accounting for more than 821,991 unsuccessful MOTs – 394 vehicles were failed for ‘missing’ suspension springs, 20 vehicles failed for having a ‘missing suspension arm’ and 14 for ‘missing’ entire MacPherson struts – all key suspension components.
Not all failures were hidden away though. Analysis of the data revealed 61 motorists were driving vehicles with two different headlights, while 3,485 vehicles failed for lacking a wiper blade.
eBay analysed data obtained from a Freedom of Information (FOI) request submitted to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). It investigated MOT failures between 1st June 2024 and 30th June 2025.
Tyres below the 1.6mm legal limit were the single most common cause of failure, affecting more than 1,081,318 vehicles. Fractured suspension springs (821,911) and brake pads worn below 1.5mm (768,436) were the next most frequent issues.
In the tyre category, which was the fourth highest overall for failures, eight vehicles failed due to inadequate tyre speed ratings – a risk that can cause overheating and blowouts at higher speeds. A further 414 cars failed for being fitted with different size tyres across the same axle.
Other safety issues that should have been obvious to spot included 265 failures for brake performance, specifically when vehicles swerved to the nearside during testing, and 516 failures due to cut or reworked seatbelt webbing, which could weaken restraint in a crash.