DFSK Loadhopper MOT pass rate & common failures
The DFSK Loadhopper appears in 2,361 MOT tests spanning model years 2011–2021, and 73.2% of them passed. Against all cars of a similar age (16.9% fail rate), the Loadhopper comes out 9.9pp worse. Its most common failure areas are brakes, lighting & signalling and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — brakes (14.2%) and lighting & signalling (13.7%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are rigid brake pipes, service brake performance and wipers — rigid brake pipes alone was recorded 173 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 24.2% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 30.7% once past 90-120k.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 35.2% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 27.2% in 2021 to 25.6% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
By model year
Every Loadhopper model year with a usable sample. Years with their own detailed report are linked.
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 61 | 63.9% | 36.1% | Emissions & environmental |
| 2012 | 182 | 70.9% | 29.1% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2013 | 201 | 77.1% | 22.9% | Brakes |
| 2014 | 717 | 71.4% | 28.6% | Brakes |
| 2015 | 641 | 75.8% | 24.2% | Brakes |
| 2016 | 414 | 70.8% | 29.2% | Brakes |
| 2017 | 57 | 82.5% | 17.5% | Suspension |
| 2020 | 45 | 77.8% | 22.2% | Lighting & signalling |
Most common failures (all years)
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 14.2% | 335 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 13.7% | 324 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 8.7% | 206 |
| 4 | Suspension | 8.5% | 201 |
| 5 | Visibility | 8.1% | 192 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.6% | 155 |
| 7 | Steering | 5.2% | 122 |
| 8 | Tyres | 3.8% | 89 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rigid brake pipes | 173 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 158 |
| 3 | Wipers | 141 |
| 4 | Flexible brake hoses | 134 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 126 |
| 6 | Washers | 120 |
| 7 | Catalyst emissions | 100 |
| 8 | Shackle pins and bushes | 100 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 35.2% | 832 |
| 2 | Suspension | 24.0% | 567 |
| 3 | Tyres | 19.1% | 450 |
| 4 | Other defects | 14.2% | 336 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.5% | 248 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 7.4% | 175 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 1,080 | 24.2% |
| 30-60k | 887 | 27.2% |
| 60-90k | 295 | 34.9% |
| 90-120k | 75 | 30.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 534 | 27.2% |
| 2022 | 503 | 26.4% |
| 2023 | 489 | 27.0% |
| 2024 | 429 | 27.7% |
| 2025 | 406 | 25.6% |
What to check before buying a DFSK Loadhopper
- Brakes (14.2% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Lighting & signalling (13.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Emissions & environmental (8.7% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the DFSK Loadhopper?
73.2% of the 2,361 DFSK Loadhopper MOT tests in this dataset passed, a 26.8% fail rate, across model years 2011–2021.
What does the DFSK Loadhopper most often fail its MOT on?
Brakes, recorded in 14.2% of tests, then lighting & signalling (13.7%).
How much does mileage affect Loadhopper MOT results?
Fail rates run at 24.2% for cars in the 0-30k band and 30.7% for 90-120k, a 6.5-point difference.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,361 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.