2014 Microcar M — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 371 MOT tests, the 2014 Microcar M recorded a 78.7% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail 17.7% of the time, so this is 3.6pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in brakes, suspension and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: brakes, recorded in 13.2% of tests against 7.3% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are steering rack, catalyst emissions and service brake performance — steering rack alone was recorded 29 times.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 28.6% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 23.7% in 2021 to 15.2% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 13.2% | 49 |
| 2 | Suspension | 7.3% | 27 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 6.7% | 25 |
| 4 | Steering | 6.2% | 23 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 5.9% | 22 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.5% | 13 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Steering rack | 29 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 27 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 25 |
| 4 | Service brake imbalance | 19 |
| 5 | Rbt (sp) | 11 |
| 6 | Ball joint | 10 |
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 | 28.6% | 106 |
| 2 | Brakes | 23.7% | 88 |
| 3 | Tyres | 13.5% | 50 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.3% | 27 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 7.3% | 27 |
| 6 | Other defects | 6.5% | 24 |
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 | 299 | 20.7% |
| 30-60k | 70 | 22.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 97 | 23.7% |
| 2022 | 89 | 22.5% |
| 2023 | 70 | 15.7% |
| 2024 | 69 | 26.1% |
| 2025 | 46 | 15.2% |
What to check before buying a 2014 M
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: brakes accounted for 13.2% of tests. Start there.
- Brakes (13.2% 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.
- Suspension (7.3% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (6.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
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 2014 Microcar Ms pass their MOT?
78.7% of the 371 2014 Microcar M MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 21.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2014 Microcar M?
Brakes, recorded in 13.2% of tests, followed by suspension (7.3%).
Does the 2014 M get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.7% in the 0-30k band to 22.9% in the 30-60k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 371 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.