Headlamp aim too low at the MOT: which cars fail on it most
4.0% of failed initial MOT tests in 2025 recorded this defect: 369,057 of 9,185,328. By age, it was most common on vehicles under 3 years old (6.1%) and least common on vehicles 15 to 19 years old (3.9%).
It is one of the 10 most common MOT failures on 81 of the 332 car models we cover. Against vehicles of the same age, it was most common on the Dacia Logan, the Dacia Sandero and the Citroen C5 Aircross. On the Dacia Logan, 12.3% of failed tests had it, against 4.0% for all vehicles of the same age.
The DVSA records it as “Headlamp aim too low”. A failed test can have several defects.
What the MOT checks
A headlamp aimed lower 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 | Dacia Logan4,435 failed tests | 12.3%546 tests | 3.1×all: 4.0% |
| 2 | Dacia Sandero34,857 failed tests | 11.0%3,844 tests | 2.8×all: 4.0% |
| 3 | Citroen C5 Aircross666 failed tests | 10.2%68 tests | 2.3×all: 4.4% |
| 4 | MG 36,120 failed tests | 8.8%538 tests | 2.2×all: 4.1% |
| 5 | Fiat Swift705 failed tests | 8.9%63 tests | 2.1×all: 4.2% |
| 6 | Jaguar S-Type2,495 failed tests | 8.1%201 tests | 2.1×all: 3.9% |
| 7 | Dacia Duster23,583 failed tests | 8.5%1,993 tests | 2.1×all: 4.1% |
| 8 | Skoda Kamiq2,596 failed tests | 8.9%232 tests | 2.1×all: 4.4% |
| 9 | MG HS3,794 failed tests | 9.1%345 tests | 2.0×all: 4.5% |
| 10 | BMW M3884 failed tests | 8.4%74 tests | 2.0×all: 4.2% |
| 11 | Lexus UX1,016 failed tests | 8.5%86 tests | 2.0×all: 4.3% |
| 12 | Jaguar X-Type7,652 failed tests | 7.4%565 tests | 1.9×all: 3.9% |
| 13 | MG 52,255 failed tests | 7.9%178 tests | 1.8×all: 4.4% |
| 14 | SEAT Mii4,453 failed tests | 7.1%316 tests | 1.8×all: 4.0% |
| 15 | Volkswagen Up26,493 failed tests | 7.0%1,862 tests | 1.8×all: 4.0% |
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 20246.1% of failed tests, against 4.0% for all ages660 failed tests
- 3 to 5 years, first used 2020 to 20224.4% of failed tests, against 4.0% for all ages29,740 failed tests
- 6 to 9 years, first used 2016 to 20194.0% of failed tests, against 4.0% for all ages84,380 failed tests
- 10 to 14 years, first used 2011 to 20154.0% of failed tests, against 4.0% for all ages133,821 failed tests
- 15 to 19 years, first used 2006 to 20103.9% of failed tests, against 4.0% for all ages85,536 failed tests
- 20 years and over, first used 1985 to 20054.3% of failed tests, against 4.0% for all ages34,920 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
- Number plate lamp3.9% of failed tests
- Headlamp aim too high3.0% of failed tests
Share of all failed initial MOT tests in 2025.