eBay finds wide range of MOT failures for preventable reasons

Motorists are failing MOTs for a wide range of obscure reasons​,​ according to research from the online marketplace eBay.

While suspension faults topped the list for overall failures – with broken springs accounting for more than ​​821,991 unsuccessful MOTs –​​ 394 vehicles failed for ‘missing’ suspension springs, 20 vehicles failed for having a ‘missing suspension arm’, and​​ 14 for ‘missing’ entire MacPherson struts.

Analysis of the data revealed ​​that 61 motorists were driving vehicles with two different headlights,​​ while 3,485 vehicles failed for lacking a wiper blade.

Abir Tewari, UK director of commercial operations, parts and accessories at eBay, said: “Too many motorists are failing MOTs for avoidable reasons – from worn tyres to something as basic as a missing wiper blade.

“These are quick and inexpensive to fix, and with eBay’s My Garage, drivers can be confident they’ll get the right part the first time.”

eBay analysed data obtained from a Freedom of Information (FOI) request submitted to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). It investigated MOT failures between 1 June 2024 and 30 June 2025.

​​​Tyres below the 1.6mm legal limit were the single most common cause of failure, affecting more than 1.08 million vehicles.

Fractured suspension springs (​​821,911) and brake pads worn below 1.5mm (​​768,436) were the second most frequent issues.