Microcar M
From 409 MOT tests. Average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake and 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 top issue, steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, caused 18 failures in 2024. If you need repairs before retesting, sites like BookMyGarage let you compare local prices.
| steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 18 |
| significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake | 15 |
| 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. | 7 |
| a shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage | 7 |
| emissions levels exceed default limits | 6 |
| exhaust system leaking or insecure | 6 |
| the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 5 |
| a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm | 5 |
| a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 5 |
| service brake efficiency below minimum requirement | 4 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 16.7% of M failures could actually strand you: fractured springs, engine faults, exhaust problems. Another 41% 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 £121.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 79.6% | a shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage, the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements |
Typical mileage
Half of all Ms tested had between 11,243 and 24,504 miles on the clock. Relatively low mileage overall. Many are still fairly young.
At 17,549 median miles, the M has 0.129 failures per 10,000 miles driven.
Common questions
What is the Microcar M MOT pass rate?
The Microcar M has a 77.3% MOT pass rate based on 409 real MOT tests. This is around the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a Microcar M?
The most common MOT failure on the Microcar M is steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, which caused 18 failures. Other common issues include significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake.
How many Microcar Ms are on UK roads?
There are 381 Microcar Ms currently licensed on UK roads, with 140 on SORN.
What is the typical mileage of a Microcar M at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a Microcar M is 17,549 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 11,243 and 24,504 miles.
Buying a used M?
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 77.3% pass rate and an average repair bill of £121 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.