Headlamp aim too high at the MOT: which cars fail on it most
3.0% of failed initial MOT tests in 2025 recorded this defect: 273,794 of 9,185,328. By age, it was most common on vehicles under 3 years old (8.4%) and least common on vehicles 15 to 19 years old (2.7%).
It is one of the 10 most common MOT failures on 66 of the 332 car models we cover. Against vehicles of the same age, it was most common on the Toyota Yaris Cross, the BMW i3 and the Hyundai i800. On the Toyota Yaris Cross, 29.6% of failed tests had it, against 7.6% for all vehicles of the same age.
The DVSA records it as “Headlamp aim too high”. A failed test can have several defects.
What the MOT checks
A headlamp aimed higher than the limits allow.
The MOT inspection manual lists “The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements” as a major defect, so the vehicle fails.
The manual also says: “You must not carry out repairs during an MOT test, but you can make minor adjustments to the headlamp aim.”
Car models where it is most common
| # | Car | Share of failed tests | Against same age |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Toyota Yaris Cross1,298 failed tests | 29.6%384 tests | 3.9×all: 7.6% |
| 2 | BMW i33,412 failed tests | 11.7%399 tests | 3.1×all: 3.8% |
| 3 | Hyundai i8001,820 failed tests | 8.6%157 tests | 2.9×all: 3.0% |
| 4 | Ford Mustang Mach-E759 failed tests | 18.4%140 tests | 2.6×all: 7.0% |
| 5 | Porsche 9114,515 failed tests | 7.6%345 tests | 2.6×all: 3.0% |
| 6 | Hyundai Kona8,540 failed tests | 12.2%1,042 tests | 2.3×all: 5.3% |
| 7 | MINI Paceman1,290 failed tests | 5.8%75 tests | 2.2×all: 2.6% |
| 8 | Porsche Cayman1,044 failed tests | 5.3%55 tests | 2.0×all: 2.7% |
| 9 | Dacia Sandero Stepway1,483 failed tests | 12.3%183 tests | 1.9×all: 6.5% |
| 10 | SEAT Ateca6,288 failed tests | 7.3%460 tests | 1.9×all: 3.8% |
| 11 | Lexus UX1,016 failed tests | 9.4%95 tests | 1.9×all: 5.0% |
| 12 | Land Rover Range Rover Velar5,778 failed tests | 7.5%432 tests | 1.9×all: 4.0% |
| 13 | Ford Puma7,714 failed tests | 10.2%789 tests | 1.8×all: 5.8% |
| 14 | Porsche Macan3,244 failed tests | 6.2%202 tests | 1.8×all: 3.5% |
| 15 | Volkswagen ID.32,833 failed tests | 10.8%306 tests | 1.8×all: 6.2% |
Only models where this defect is one of their 10 most common MOT failures, with at least 50 failed tests, have a figure. So a model that isn't listed can still have it, just less often than its other faults. Vans, pick-ups and taxis are left out, as in our rankings. × is the model's share divided by the share for all vehicles of the same age.
How common it is by car age
- Under 3 years, first used 2023 to 20248.4% of failed tests, against 3.0% for all ages912 failed tests
- 3 to 5 years, first used 2020 to 20225.6% of failed tests, against 3.0% for all ages38,315 failed tests
- 6 to 9 years, first used 2016 to 20192.9% of failed tests, against 3.0% for all ages60,893 failed tests
- 10 to 14 years, first used 2011 to 20152.7% of failed tests, against 3.0% for all ages90,905 failed tests
- 15 to 19 years, first used 2006 to 20102.7% of failed tests, against 3.0% for all ages58,492 failed tests
- 20 years and over, first used 1985 to 20053.0% of failed tests, against 3.0% for all ages24,277 failed tests
All-vehicle figures cover vehicles first used from 1985 to 2024: 9,185,328 of the 9,193,164 failed initial tests in 2025.
How these figures are counted
These are failures recorded at initial MOT tests in 2025. Retests are not counted. A defect found on more than one wheel, lamp or joint at the same test counts once. "Same age" is the defect's share of failed tests for all vehicles first used in the same years, weighted by the model's own failed tests in each year.
An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. These figures show where a defect was recorded, not why, and not what a repair costs. Figures: DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2025. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. What the MOT checks: MOT inspection manual: cars and passenger vehicles, GOV.UK, read 1 Nov 2026.
How we choose and rank these defectsOther lights and electrics faults
- Position lamp8.7% of failed tests
- Stop lamp6.6% of failed tests
- Dipped headlamp4.9% of failed tests
- Headlamp beam image4.5% of failed tests
- Headlamp aim too low4.0% of failed tests
- Number plate lamp3.9% of failed tests
Share of all failed initial MOT tests in 2025.