2005 LDV Maxus — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,403 MOT tests, the 2005 LDV Maxus recorded a 67.6% pass rate. Against all cars of a similar age (27.6% fail rate), the 2005 Maxus comes out 4.8pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (21.2%) and brakes (19.5%) 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 component mounting prescribed areas — rigid brake pipes alone was recorded 184 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2005 Maxus fails 36.4% of the time in the 0-30k band and 35.3% at 150k+, a spread of only 1.0 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 50.0% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 35.3% in 2021 to 32.2% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 21.2% | 297 |
| 2 | Brakes | 19.5% | 273 |
| 3 | Suspension | 13.5% | 190 |
| 4 | Visibility | 10.3% | 144 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.0% | 140 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 5.0% | 70 |
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 | 184 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 159 |
| 3 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 143 |
| 4 | Rear fog lamp | 101 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 89 |
| 6 | Wipers | 87 |
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 | 50.0% | 702 |
| 2 | Suspension | 41.1% | 577 |
| 3 | Tyres | 23.2% | 326 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 16.8% | 235 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.5% | 232 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 16.4% | 230 |
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 | 55 | 36.4% |
| 30-60k | 109 | 29.4% |
| 60-90k | 308 | 32.1% |
| 90-120k | 424 | 29.7% |
| 120-150k | 259 | 35.5% |
| 150k+ | 232 | 35.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 394 | 35.3% |
| 2022 | 323 | 31.9% |
| 2023 | 287 | 32.8% |
| 2024 | 225 | 28.0% |
| 2025 | 174 | 32.2% |
What to check before buying a 2005 Maxus
On a 2005 Maxus, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 21.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (21.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (19.5% 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.
- Suspension (13.5% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2005 LDV Maxuss pass their MOT?
67.6% of the 1,403 2005 LDV Maxus MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 32.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 LDV Maxus?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 21.2% of tests, followed by brakes (19.5%).
Does the 2005 Maxus get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 36.4% in the 0-30k band to 35.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,403 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.