Stop lamp at the MOT: which cars fail on it most
6.6% of failed initial MOT tests in 2025 recorded this defect: 609,041 of 9,185,328. By age, it was most common on vehicles 15 to 19 years old (9.1%) and least common on vehicles under 3 years old (1.5%).
It is one of the 10 most common MOT failures on 112 of the 332 car models we cover. Against vehicles of the same age, it was most common on the Ford EcoSport, the MG 5 and the Ford B-Max. On the Ford EcoSport, 21.9% of failed tests had it, against 4.0% for all vehicles of the same age.
The DVSA records it as “Stop lamp not working”. A failed test can have several defects.
What the MOT checks
A brake light that is missing or doesn't work. Vehicles first used from 1 January 1971 must have 2 stop lamps, one on each side.
The MOT inspection manual lists “Stop lamp(s) missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning” as a major defect, so the vehicle fails.
The manual also says: “Additional stop lamps, over and above the mandatory requirements, must be tested.”
Car models where it is most common
| # | Car | Share of failed tests | Against same age |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ford EcoSport25,438 failed tests | 21.9%5,559 tests | 5.5×all: 4.0% |
| 2 | MG 52,255 failed tests | 8.4%189 tests | 5.2×all: 1.6% |
| 3 | Ford B-Max17,003 failed tests | 27.4%4,654 tests | 4.2×all: 6.5% |
| 4 | MINI Clubman5,109 failed tests | 18.4%941 tests | 3.9×all: 4.7% |
| 5 | Citroen C3 Picasso1,616 failed tests | 18.9%306 tests | 3.9×all: 4.9% |
| 6 | Suzuki Vitara10,606 failed tests | 13.1%1,392 tests | 3.3×all: 4.0% |
| 7 | Jaguar XE7,965 failed tests | 14.3%1,142 tests | 3.1×all: 4.6% |
| 8 | Ford Tourneo Custom2,638 failed tests | 6.1%162 tests | 3.1×all: 2.0% |
| 9 | Renault Grand Scenic5,428 failed tests | 21.0%1,140 tests | 2.9×all: 7.4% |
| 10 | Kia Carens3,564 failed tests | 15.4%550 tests | 2.7×all: 5.7% |
| 11 | Peugeot Horizon1,964 failed tests | 13.8%272 tests | 2.7×all: 5.1% |
| 12 | Suzuki Celerio4,653 failed tests | 12.9%601 tests | 2.7×all: 4.9% |
| 13 | Suzuki Alto14,890 failed tests | 19.6%2,913 tests | 2.6×all: 7.6% |
| 14 | Vauxhall Antara7,306 failed tests | 18.5%1,350 tests | 2.5×all: 7.3% |
| 15 | Ford Fiesta466,552 failed tests | 18.0%83,935 tests | 2.5×all: 7.1% |
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 20241.5% of failed tests, against 6.6% for all ages160 failed tests
- 3 to 5 years, first used 2020 to 20221.7% of failed tests, against 6.6% for all ages11,876 failed tests
- 6 to 9 years, first used 2016 to 20194.2% of failed tests, against 6.6% for all ages88,760 failed tests
- 10 to 14 years, first used 2011 to 20157.1% of failed tests, against 6.6% for all ages237,340 failed tests
- 15 to 19 years, first used 2006 to 20109.1% of failed tests, against 6.6% for all ages200,978 failed tests
- 20 years and over, first used 1985 to 20058.6% of failed tests, against 6.6% for all ages69,927 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
- 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
- Headlamp aim too high3.0% of failed tests
Share of all failed initial MOT tests in 2025.