Brake pipe corroded MOT advisory: what it means and which cars get it
In DVSA MOT data for 2023, analysed by RegTail, testers recorded this as an advisory on at least 3.9 in 100 and as a failure on at least 0.4 in 100 initial MOT tests. The Ford Fusion got it most often: recorded 25.0 times per 100 of its 58,809 tests.
DVSA wording: Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded.
What it means
The metal pipes that carry brake fluid to each wheel are rusting. Most run under the car, exposed to road salt. As an advisory it usually reads "Brake pipe slightly corroded": surface rust the tester wants you to keep an eye on. Pipes rust from the outside in, so heavy corrosion can lead to a leak or a burst under hard braking.
How serious it is
A major defect, so a fail, when a pipe is damaged or excessively corroded. A pipe at imminent risk of failure or fracture is dangerous.
Source: MOT inspection manual for cars and light vans, section 1.1.11.
- 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
Corroded sections are replaced with new pipe, bent to fit, and the brakes are then bled. Pipes routed above the fuel tank or sub-frame can make it a longer job.
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 146 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Fusion | 58,809 | 4.3 | 20.7 |
| Vauxhall Agila | 37,884 | 3.2 | 19.5 |
| Vauxhall Vectra | 39,116 | 4.8 | 17.6 |
| Mercedes-Benz CLK | 32,623 | 2.2 | 18.7 |
| Mitsubishi L200 | 78,544 | 3.4 | 17.4 |
| Hyundai Getz | 23,077 | 2.9 | 17.2 |
| Peugeot 107 | 119,430 | 2.8 | 16.6 |
| Suzuki Grand Vitara | 24,508 | 2.6 | 16.7 |
| Suzuki Alto | 50,429 | 3.0 | 15.8 |
| Suzuki Jimny | 25,207 | 2.5 | 15.1 |
What to check at a viewing
- On the carLook underneath along the sills and near the rear axle for flaking or swollen pipes, and for wet patches at the joints. A pedal that sinks slowly when held down can mean a leak.
- 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 pipe corroded" mean on an MOT?
Brake pipe corroded: is it an MOT fail?
Which cars are most likely to get "brake pipe corroded" on an MOT?
More brakes 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.