MOT performance
MOT failure “Headlamp aim: too low”: how common it is and which cars get it
“Headlamp aim: too low” (major defect, lights, reflectors and electrical) was recorded as a failure on 1.19% of UK MOT tests in 2023–2024: 780,690 tests, the number 15 most common failure item. It is 2.1 times as common at 10 years old (1.33%) as at 3 (0.64%). It is most common at 20 years old (1.90% of tests).
780,690 tests with this failure, 2023–2024
Check a specific car's MOT history and running costsAt a glance
| Figure | Value | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Share of MOT tests | 1.19% | 780,690 tests, 2023–2024 |
| Rank among failure items | #15 | by number of tests |
| Most common at | 20 years old | 1.90% of tests at that age |
| Models compared | 391 | models with enough tests |
How it changes with age
By fuel
Diesel: 1.25% of tests; Petrol: 1.20% of tests; Electric: 0.58% of tests; Hybrid: 0.57% of tests. Fuel groups differ in age and mileage, so these raw shares are not like-for-like; the model tables below are.
Models that fail on it most often
Relative to cars of the same age and fuel (1.00 = national rate for this item). Only models with enough tests for the difference to be clear are ranked.
| Model | Tests | Failed on it | vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dacia Logan | 31,576 | 4.01% | +342% |
| Dacia Sandero | 205,898 | 3.64% | +302% |
| Dacia Duster | 136,230 | 2.40% | +177% |
| MG MG3 | 39,968 | 2.24% | +167% |
| Mercedes-Benz Citan | 40,694 | 1.87% | +106% |
| Tesla Model 3 | 95,633 | 1.03% | +85% |
| Hyundai i800 | 16,542 | 1.89% | +84% |
| Ford Transit Courier | 51,128 | 1.44% | +77% |
| Citroen DS4 | 20,814 | 2.27% | +68% |
| Jaguar X-Type | 54,770 | 2.96% | +67% |
Models that fail on it least often
| Model | Tests | Failed on it | vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|---|
| Volvo XC40 | 119,449 | 0.09% | -86% |
| Bentley Continental | 29,070 | 0.22% | -84% |
| Porsche Cayman | 29,543 | 0.28% | -77% |
| Audi e-tron | 19,881 | 0.14% | -74% |
| BMW M4 | 24,113 | 0.23% | -73% |
| Audi A8 | 23,929 | 0.36% | -72% |
| BMW 640 | 20,209 | 0.34% | -70% |
| Honda S2000 | 10,058 | 0.57% | -67% |
| MG Tf | 19,430 | 0.61% | -66% |
| Porsche 911 | 100,223 | 0.50% | -65% |
Makes that stand out on this failure
About this defect
The wording is DVSA's, from the MOT inspection manual. A high ratio for a model reflects its MOT record, which depends on maintenance and use as well as design. For one car, its own MOT history shows whether this has come up before.
Other common lights, reflectors and electrical failures
- Position lamp: not working · 2.57% of tests
- Stop lamp: not working · 1.96% of tests
- Headlamp: not working on dipped beam · 1.45% of tests
- Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect · 1.31% of tests
- Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps · 1.10% of tests
- Headlamp aim: too high · 0.88% of tests
- Rear fog lamp: not working · 0.46% of tests
- Individual direction indicators: incorrect colour · 0.42% of tests
Check the car you are looking at
Enter a UK registration to see that car's own MOT history and what it is likely to cost to own. Your first check is free and shows the vehicle summary and its headline ownership cost. The category-by-category breakdown is part of a paid check.
UK number plate or 17-character VIN
About this data. These are MOT test results, not a measure of mechanical reliability: a car's MOT outcome reflects its condition on the day, which depends on how it has been maintained and driven as well as how it was built. Figures cover class 4 vehicles (cars and light vans), normal tests only (retests excluded), outcomes pass, fail and pass after rectification at the station; vehicles at least 2.5 years old at test. Tests from 2023-01-01 to 2024-12-30. “Compared with similar cars” means compared with the national rate for cars of the same age, mileage band and fuel. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Makes and models are matched to 73 Auto's vehicle catalogue; tests that can't be matched are left out rather than guessed. See how the MOT figures are produced.