Bedford Rascal
From 570 MOT tests. Below average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by registration year
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, brakes imbalance across an axle such that the braking effort from any wheel is less than 70% of the maximum effort recorded from the other wheel on the same axle., the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame and spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired. The top issue, a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, caused 41 failures in 2024. Checking tread depth (1.6mm legal minimum, 3mm recommended) before your test can save an unnecessary fail. You can check prices at Black Circles if you need replacements. If you need repairs before retesting, sites like BookMyGarage let you compare local prices.
| a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 41 |
| brakes imbalance across an axle such that the braking effort from any wheel is less than 70% of the maximum effort recorded from the other wheel on the same axle. | 34 |
| the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired | 32 |
| service brake efficiency below minimum requirement | 26 |
| wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen | 24 |
| the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 24 |
| a tyre seriously damaged | 23 |
| emissions levels exceed default limits | 18 |
| an obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or rear fog lamp inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 18 |
| the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired | 14 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 18.1% of Rascal failures could actually strand you: fractured springs, engine faults, exhaust problems. Another 22.4% are safety issues where the car still drives but shouldn't, such as worn brakes, corroded brake pipes, and steering wear. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £112.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1989 | 65.9% | the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning |
| 1988 | 69.7% | a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, service brake efficiency below minimum requirement |
Typical mileage
Half of all Rascals tested had between 37,730 and 78,825 miles on the clock.
At 67,505 median miles, the Rascal has 0.052 failures per 10,000 miles driven.
Common questions
What is the Bedford Rascal MOT pass rate?
The Bedford Rascal has a 64.6% MOT pass rate based on 570 real MOT tests. This is below the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a Bedford Rascal?
The most common MOT failure on the Bedford Rascal is a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, which caused 41 failures. Other common issues include brakes imbalance across an axle such that the braking effort from any wheel is less than 70% of the maximum effort recorded from the other wheel on the same axle..
What is the typical mileage of a Bedford Rascal at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a Bedford Rascal is 67,505 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 37,730 and 78,825 miles.
Buying a used Rascal?
Start with the free tools. Look up the specific vehicle's MOT history on GOV.UK The mileage at each test will show if it's been wound back, and the advisory history tells you what's wearing. Cross-reference that against the typical failures above to see if anything looks unusual for this model.
The free data won't tell you about outstanding finance, theft markers, or write-off history. For that, you need a vehicle history check This is especially important on a private sale where you have fewer legal protections.
With a 64.6% pass rate and an average repair bill of £112 when things go wrong, budget accordingly.
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MOT data from DVSA anonymised test results, 2024 test year. Fleet data from DfT vehicle licensing statistics. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0. MOT pass rates are statistical summaries of test outcomes, not assessments of individual vehicle safety or condition. Always inspect a vehicle and check its full MOT history before purchasing. See terms of use.