Brake light not working MOT failure: what it means and which cars get it
In DVSA MOT data for 2023, analysed by RegTail, testers recorded this as a failure on at least 1.9 in 100 and as an advisory on at least 0.1 in 100 initial MOT tests. The Mercedes-Benz Citan got it most often: recorded 10.7 times per 100 of its 20,306 tests.
DVSA wording: Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning.
What it means
A brake light is out. Usually a bulb, sometimes the brake light switch at the pedal.
How serious it is
A major defect, so a fail, when a stop lamp is missing or not working. If all of them are out it is dangerous.
Source: MOT inspection manual for cars and light vans, section 4.3.1.
- Dangerous FailA direct and immediate risk to road safety or has a serious impact on the environment. Do not drive the vehicle until it's been repaired.
- Major FailIt may affect the vehicle's safety, put other road users at risk or have an impact on the environment. Repair it immediately.
- Advisory PassIt could become more serious in the future. Monitor and repair it if necessary.
What fixing it usually involves
A new bulb, LED unit or brake light switch.
A general guide, not a quote: ask a garage to inspect the car.
Which models get it most
Per 100 initial MOT tests on each model, among the 134 models with at least 20,000 tests where it is among the 40 most common items. DVSA MOT data for 2023, analysed by RegTail.
| Model | Tests | Fail | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz Citan | 20,306 | 7.3 | 3.4 |
| Ford Fusion | 58,809 | 7.9 | 2.0 |
| Citroen Berlingo | 190,230 | 7.0 | 1.5 |
| Renault Kangoo | 59,516 | 5.3 | 3.0 |
| Vauxhall Antara | 22,582 | 7.7 | · |
| Peugeot Partner | 152,999 | 6.1 | 1.6 |
| Citroen Xsara | 35,042 | 7.0 | · |
| Renault Megane | 121,442 | 6.7 | · |
| Hyundai Getz | 23,077 | 6.4 | · |
| Citroen Dispatch | 52,335 | 4.4 | 2.0 |
What to check at a viewing
- On the carAsk someone to press the brake pedal while you check every brake light, including the high-level one.
- In the MOT historyIf this appears as an advisory, see whether it came back at the next test or turned into a failure, and ask the seller for the receipt if it was fixed.
Check a specific car
Fleet averages only go so far. Enter the registration to see that car's own MOT history, mileage record and current condition, free.
Questions
What does "Brake light not working" mean on an MOT?
Brake light not working: is it an MOT fail?
Which cars are most likely to get "brake light not working" on an MOT?
More lights defects
How these figures are made. We counted the defects recorded at every initial MOT test (not retests) of cars and light vans in Great Britain in 2023 in the DVSA anonymised MOT dataset, 33,842,940 tests in all. Each item counts once per test. A failure is a major or dangerous defect, including one fixed during the test. A model's rate is the share of its tests where the item was recorded.
For each model we keep its 40 most frequent items, so a model where a defect is rarer than that is not listed, and figures for all cars are a floor. Defect names and explanations are ours, checked against the MOT inspection manual; DVSA's own wording is shown under each name.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. RegTail's analysis of the DVSA anonymised MOT dataset, 2023 tests.