Rolls-Royce common problems and MOT failures
From 14,687 MOT tests in 2024, 5.9% of Rolls-Royce vehicles failed. Below are the most common reasons, ranked by how often they occur.
Top Rolls-Royce MOT failure reasons
| # | Problem | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | tyre seriously damaged | 107 |
| 2 | parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement | 89 |
| 3 | parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value | 72 |
| 4 | tyre cords visible or damaged | 67 |
| 5 | headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of led | 60 |
| 6 | the aim of a headlamp is not within limits the requirements | 59 |
| 7 | windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen | 57 |
| 8 | emissions levels exceed default limits | 55 |
| 9 | lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 52 |
| 10 | wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen | 43 |
What this means if you're buying a Rolls-Royce
The single most common MOT failure for Rolls-Royce is tyre seriously damaged, accounting for 16% of all failure items. A set of new tyres typically costs £200–£500 depending on size.
These figures are from real MOT inspections. They show what testers actually find wrong with Rolls-Royce vehicles. If you're viewing a used Rolls-Royce, it's worth checking these areas specifically.
Rolls-Royce models by MOT pass rate
Lowest pass rates first. These models have the most testable issues.
| Model | Tests | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|
| Silver Spirit | 1,703 | 84.9% |
| Silver Spur | 762 | 87% |
| Corniche | 474 | 88.4% |
| Silver Shadow | 318 | 90.3% |
| Silver Seraph | 555 | 92.6% |
| Unclassified | 536 | 94.2% |
| Ghost | 2,449 | 96.6% |
| Wraith | 1,646 | 96.9% |
| Dawn | 1,744 | 97.2% |
| Phantom | 2,226 | 97.7% |
| Cullinan V12 Auto | 510 | 99.8% |
Buying a specific Rolls-Royce? Check the individual vehicle's MOT history for free on GOV.UK to see its actual test results, advisories, and mileage readings.
Check MOT history on GOV.UK