2005 Rolls-Royce Phantom — MOT failures & pass rate
294 MOT tests on the 2005 Rolls-Royce Phantom are in this dataset, and 96.9% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail 27.6% of the time, so this is 24.6pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in tyres, seat belts & restraints and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (1.7%) and seat belts & restraints (1.7%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are wipers, srs malfunction indicator lamp and headlamp aim — wipers alone was recorded 5 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2005 Phantom fails 2.0% of the time in the 0-30k band and 0.0% at 120-150k, a spread of only 2.0 points.
The trend is worsening — 1.5% of tests failed in 2021 against 3.9% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 1.7% | 5 |
| 2 | Seat belts & restraints | 1.7% | 5 |
| 3 | Visibility | 1.4% | 4 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 1.4% | 4 |
| 5 | Brakes | 0.3% | 1 |
| 6 | Steering | 0.3% | 1 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 5 |
| 2 | SRS malfunction indicator lamp | 4 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 4 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 3 |
| 5 | Track rod end | 1 |
| 6 | Driver's airbag | 1 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 3.4% | 10 |
| 2 | Brakes | 3.4% | 10 |
| 3 | Suspension | 1.4% | 4 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 1.4% | 4 |
| 5 | Other defects | 0.7% | 2 |
| 6 | Visibility | 0.3% | 1 |
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 | 49 | 2.0% |
| 30-60k | 76 | 4.0% |
| 60-90k | 69 | 5.8% |
| 90-120k | 54 | 0.0% |
| 120-150k | 31 | 0.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 65 | 1.5% |
| 2022 | 58 | 3.5% |
| 2023 | 61 | 4.9% |
| 2024 | 58 | 1.7% |
| 2025 | 52 | 3.9% |
What to check before buying a 2005 Phantom
On a 2005 Phantom, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 1.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (1.7% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Seat belts & restraints (1.7% of tests): Belt damage or faulty pretensioners — usually straightforward but safety-critical. Typical repair: £50–£300.
- Visibility (1.4% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£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 2005 Rolls-Royce Phantoms pass their MOT?
96.9% of the 294 2005 Rolls-Royce Phantom MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 3.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Rolls-Royce Phantom?
Tyres, recorded in 1.7% of tests, followed by seat belts & restraints (1.7%).
Does the 2005 Phantom get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 2.0% in the 0-30k band to 0.0% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 294 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.