2001 LDV Pilot — MOT failures & pass rate
297 MOT tests on the 2001 LDV Pilot are in this dataset, and 70.4% of them passed. Against all cars of a similar age (27.1% fail rate), the 2001 Pilot comes out 2.5pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (16.2%) and brakes (13.5%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, rigid brake pipes and wipers — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 38 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 34.1% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 27.4% once past 90-120k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 35.7% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 37.5% in 2021 to 23.3% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.2% | 48 |
| 2 | Brakes | 13.5% | 40 |
| 3 | Suspension | 12.1% | 36 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.5% | 34 |
| 5 | Visibility | 7.1% | 21 |
| 6 | Steering | 5.4% | 16 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 38 |
| 2 | Rigid brake pipes | 23 |
| 3 | Wipers | 20 |
| 4 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 19 |
| 5 | Service brake imbalance | 17 |
| 6 | Wheel bearings | 16 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 35.7% | 106 |
| 2 | Brakes | 32.7% | 97 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 22.9% | 68 |
| 4 | Tyres | 20.9% | 62 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 18.5% | 55 |
| 6 | Steering | 16.2% | 48 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 44 | 34.1% |
| 60-90k | 122 | 31.1% |
| 90-120k | 95 | 27.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 88 | 37.5% |
| 2022 | 66 | 30.3% |
| 2023 | 51 | 25.5% |
| 2024 | 49 | 24.5% |
| 2025 | 43 | 23.3% |
What to check before buying a 2001 Pilot
On a 2001 Pilot, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 16.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (16.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (13.5% 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 (12.1% 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 2001 LDV Pilots pass their MOT?
70.4% of the 297 2001 LDV Pilot MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2001 LDV Pilot?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.2% of tests, followed by brakes (13.5%).
Does the 2001 Pilot get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 34.1% in the 30-60k band to 27.4% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 297 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.