MOT performance
MOT failure “Washers: not working”: how common it is and which cars get it
“Washers: not working” (major defect, driver's view of the road) was recorded as a failure on 0.83% of UK MOT tests in 2023–2024: 540,949 tests, the number 22 most common failure item. It is 3.1 times as common at 10 years old (0.94%) as at 3 (0.31%). It is most common at 19 years old (1.45% of tests).
540,949 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 | 0.83% | 540,949 tests, 2023–2024 |
| Rank among failure items | #22 | by number of tests |
| Most common at | 19 years old | 1.45% of tests at that age |
| Models compared | 390 | models with enough tests |
How it changes with age
By fuel
Diesel: 0.86% of tests; Petrol: 0.85% of tests; Electric: 0.27% of tests; Hybrid: 0.21% 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| SsangYong Tivoli | 13,941 | 2.17% | +307% |
| MG HS | 15,467 | 0.92% | +243% |
| DS DS 3 | 68,070 | 1.95% | +243% |
| Citroen DS3 | 146,860 | 2.68% | +190% |
| Ford Transit Courier | 51,128 | 1.34% | +174% |
| Fiat Bravo | 11,563 | 3.36% | +173% |
| SEAT Ibiza | 388,964 | 2.17% | +167% |
| Citroen Dispatch | 95,578 | 2.03% | +157% |
| Dacia Sandero | 205,898 | 1.47% | +151% |
| Peugeot Partner | 305,829 | 1.87% | +150% |
Models that fail on it least often
| Model | Tests | Failed on it | vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|---|
| Volkswagen Arteon | 14,417 | 0.07% | -82% |
| Mitsubishi Eclipse | 23,361 | 0.08% | -82% |
| Volvo XC40 | 119,449 | 0.06% | -82% |
| Bentley Continental | 29,070 | 0.22% | -78% |
| Porsche Panamera | 14,147 | 0.13% | -78% |
| Volvo S90 | 15,103 | 0.10% | -77% |
| Skoda Yeti | 152,100 | 0.19% | -76% |
| Volvo V90 | 30,109 | 0.11% | -74% |
| BMW M4 | 24,113 | 0.14% | -74% |
| Audi A7 | 33,889 | 0.19% | -72% |
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 driver's view of the road failures
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively · 2.11% of tests
- Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid · 1.45% of tests
- Washers: jets misaligned and not providing sufficient fluid to the windscreen · 0.12% of tests
- Driver's view: of the road through the swept area of the windscreen significantly affected by an obstruction · 0.08% of tests
- Mirrors: seriously damaged, affecting the rear view · 0.07% of tests
- Windscreen: damaged and affecting the driver's view of the road · 0.06% of tests
- Wipers: not working · 0.06% of tests
- Bonnet: cannot be secured in the closed position · 0.05% of tests
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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.