Microcar M MOT Failures
An analysis of 6,324 real DVSA MOT tests on the Microcar M — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads.
Where the Microcar M fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Microcar M is exhaust system damage — this model is 24 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it a significant weak point for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 6,324 MOT tests, 5.51% of all Microcar M tests recorded this as a failure.
Bodywork failures usually mean structural corrosion — not cosmetic rust, but rot that affects the car's structural integrity. Check sills, subframes, and chassis rails carefully, especially on older examples.
Other notable weak points include significant brake effort recorded with no brake... (11x the fleet average), steering rack wear (124x the fleet average), wheel bearings worn (19x the fleet average), and subframe bushes or mounts worn (16x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Microcar M's failure rate on each item against the national average for all cars tested — a ratio of 10x means this model fails ten times more often than a typical car.
The failures span 4 categories: Bodywork, Brakes, Steering, Suspension. If you're inspecting a Microcar M before purchase, these are the areas to focus on — and if any have been flagged as advisories on a previous MOT, they're likely to become failures in the near future.
What to check before buying a Microcar M
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Microcar M:
Bodywork — check for exhaust system damage. Brakes — check for significant brake effort recorded with no brake..., brake hoses perished or damaged. Steering — check for steering rack wear. Suspension — check for wheel bearings worn, subframe bushes or mounts worn, coil springs broken, suspension pin, bush or joint worn.
Always check the car's full MOT history for patterns — recurring advisories often become failures within 12 months. Enter any reg into our free car check to see the complete picture.
Looking at a specific Microcar M?
Enter the reg to see its full MOT history, mileage records, write-off status, and finance checks.
Microcar M MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Microcar M?
Based on 6,324 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is exhaust system damage — at 24x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include significant brake effort recorded with no brake... and steering rack wear.
Is the Microcar M reliable based on MOT data?
The Microcar M has 9 categories where it fails more often than average. The main concern is exhaust system damage. Always check a specific car's full history before buying.
What MOT failures should I expect at high mileage?
The most common high-mileage failures include exhaust system damage, significant brake effort recorded with no brake..., steering rack wear.
How do I check a Microcar M's MOT history?
Enter the registration number into our free car check above. You'll see every MOT test result, advisories and failures, mileage readings, write-off status, and finance checks.
MOT failure data sourced from DVSA bulk test records via data.gov.uk. Ratios compare this model's failure rate against the national fleet average. Known issues sourced from manufacturer bulletins, specialist workshops, and verified owner reports.