These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.
Tyre wear
VehicleScore MOT data includes 842 advisory comments and 49 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.
These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.
What to inspect
Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.
Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT TYRE WORN CLOSE TO LEGAL LIMIT/WORN ON EDGE (5.2.3 (E))
Brake pad wear
VehicleScore MOT data includes 340 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.
These MOT comments record brake pads that were worn or below the inspection limit.
What to inspect
Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.
Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE PAD(S) WEARING THIN (3.5.1G)
Oil leak
VehicleScore MOT data includes 101 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.
These MOT comments record an oil leak noted by the tester. Shock absorber misting is counted as a damper issue, not as an engine oil leak.
What to inspect
Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.
Example MOT wording: OIL LEAK, BUT NOT EXCESSIVE (8.4.1 (A) (I))
Lamp and bulb faults
VehicleScore MOT data includes 88 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.
These MOT comments record a lamp or bulb other than a headlamp or indicator.
What to inspect
Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.
Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT POSITION LAMP NOT WORKING (4.2.1 (A) (II))
Headlamp faults
VehicleScore MOT data includes 71 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.
These MOT comments record a headlamp that was not working, insecure, or aimed incorrectly.
What to inspect
Switch on dipped and main beam and look for a cloudy lens or a wrong aim.
Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE HEADLAMP AIM PROJECTED BEAM IMAGE IS OBVIOUSLY INCORRECT (4.1.2 (C))
Parking brake faults
VehicleScore MOT data includes 35 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.
These MOT comments record a parking brake that did not hold well enough or had a component defect.
What to inspect
Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.
Example MOT wording: PARKING BRAKE EFFICIENCY BELOW REQUIREMENTS (1.4.2 (A) (I))
Ball joint wear
VehicleScore MOT data includes 31 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.
These MOT comments record a worn or damaged ball joint. Track rod ends are counted with steering, not here.
What to inspect
Ask for the joint to be checked for play with the suspension loaded and unloaded.
Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT UPPER SUSPENSION ARM BALL JOINT EXCESSIVELY WORN (5.3.4 (A) (I))
Engine warning lamp
VehicleScore MOT data includes 17 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.
These MOT comments record an engine warning lamp that was on, or did not work, during the inspection.
What to inspect
Switch on the ignition and confirm the lamp comes on and then goes out. Ask what was diagnosed if it stayed on.
Example MOT wording: ENGINE MIL INOPERATIVE OR INDICATES A MALFUNCTION (8.2.1.2 (H))
