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MOT History from tests of petrol VAUXHALL NOVAs year 1985

Review the list of common VAUXHALL NOVA failures below or to perform a specific mot history check on your VAUXHALL then use our popular KnowYourCar service

mot history
Pass percent:59.53%
(The average a petrol VAUXHALL NOVA year 1985 passes without issue)
Based on:3,823 MOT Tests
Most common failuresNo# failures
Headlamp aim out of alignment262
Brake pipe excessively corroded224
Brakes imbalanced across an axle136
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively135
Registration plate lamp issues122
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive |7.3.B.1a|121
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|118
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|113
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|112
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|82
Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|65
Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|64
Service brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.B.7|64
Registration plate issues59
Horn not working |1.6.2a|48
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|48
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.B.7|47
Offside Rear Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion |6.1.C.1|47
Brake hose excessively deteriorated45
Offside Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|43
Nearside Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|43
Nearside Rear Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion |6.1.C.1|39
Nearside Front constant velocity joint gaiter split |2.5.C.1a|39
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|39
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|37
Nearside Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|36
Nearside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play |2.6.2|34
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive |7.3.B.1b|32
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|32
Offside Rear fog lamp not working |1.3.2b|31
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort31
Offside Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|30
Rear brake application uneven29
Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|28
Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|26
Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|26
Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working |1.3.2b|25
Offside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play |2.6.2|25
Nearside Headlamp insecure |1.7.3|25
Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|23
Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|23
Nearside Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated |2.6.1|22
Nearside Front Front constant velocity joint gaiter split |2.5.C.1a|22
Rear brake binding22
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|21
Offside Front Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|21
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|21
Offside Headlamp insecure |1.7.3|21
Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|21
Offside Front constant velocity joint gaiter split |2.5.C.1a|20
Front brake application uneven20
Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|20
Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has excessive play |2.6.2|20
Nearside Front Headlamp insecure |1.7.3|20
Offside Rear Brake cable has wires broken and is significantly weakened |3.5.1b|20
Offside Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated |2.6.1|20
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|20
Offside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|19
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|19
Offside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|19
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|18
Offside front brake binding |3.7.B.1|18
Fuel pipe leaking |7.2.3|18
Driver`s seat insecure |6.2.A.1|17
Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|17
Fuel hose leaking |7.2.3|17
Nearside Front Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|16
Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|16
Offside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|16
Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|16
Nearside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image |1.2.4a|15
Nearside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|15
Nearside Front Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|15
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel |3.1.6b|15
Offside Front Upper Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|15
Windscreen has damage15
Rear Fuel hose leaking |7.2.3|15
Offside Outer Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|14
Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated |2.6.1|14
Offside Front Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion |6.1.C.1|14
Nearside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|14
Nearside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated |8.2.2|13
Offside Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated |8.2.2|13
Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated |2.6.1|13
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering |6.1.A.1|13
Nearside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|13
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|13
Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|13
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|13
Offside Front Front constant velocity joint gaiter split |2.5.C.1a|13
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|13
Nearside front brake binding |3.7.B.1|13
Rear fog lamp tell tale not working |1.3.1b|12
Offside Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect |2.7.5|12
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak |2.7.3|12
Nearside Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect |2.7.5|11
Fuel cap/sealing device does not fasten securely maintaining the sealing arrangement |7.2.4b|11
Exhaust engine idle speed too high |7.3.A.2a|11
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|11
Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported |7.1.1|11
Exhaust system not adequately supported |7.1.1|11
Offside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated |8.2.2|11
Rear Rear fog lamp not working |1.3.2b|11
Nearside Outer Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|10
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|10
Offside Front Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|10
Nearside Outer Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|10
Nearside Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated |8.2.2|10
Offside Front Headlamp insecure |1.7.3|10
Nearside Outer Front constant velocity joint gaiter split |2.5.C.1a|10
Front Fuel hose leaking |7.2.3|10
Rear fog lamp not working |1.3.2b|10
Fuel system component leaking |7.2.3|10
Offside Outer Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|10
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))10
Nearside Front Upper Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|10
Nearside Front Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion |6.1.C.1|10
Offside Front Front wheel bearing rough when rotated |2.5.A.2|9
Offside Front Lower Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|9
Offside Front Lower Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|9
Fuel tank leaking |7.2.3|9
Nearside Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image |1.2.4a|9
Hazard warning switch faulty |1.4.B.1d|9
Rear Brake cable has wires broken and is significantly weakened |3.5.1b|9
Windscreen wiper blade insecure9
Nearside Front Front wheel bearing rough when rotated |2.5.A.2|9
Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak |2.7.3|9
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has negligible damping effect |2.7.5|9
Offside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image |1.2.4a|9
Offside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|9
Nearside Side repeater not working |1.4.A.2c|9
Battery insecure |1.9.1|9
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|9
Parking brake lever defective so that it cannot be satisfactorily operated |3.1.3c|8
Offside Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image |1.2.4a|8
Nearside Rear Brake cable has wires broken and is significantly weakened |3.5.1b|8
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering |6.1.A.1|8
Nearside Front constant velocity joint gaiter damaged to the extent that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc |2.5.C.1a|8
Offside Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion |6.1.C.1|8
Offside Front Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|8
Front Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on |8.2.1b|8
Offside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|8
Brake cable has wires broken and is significantly weakened |3.5.1b|8
Nearside Rear Lower Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|8
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|8
Offside Brake cable has wires broken and is significantly weakened |3.5.1b|8
Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing has excessive play |2.6.2|8
Front Fuel pipe leaking |7.2.3|7
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition on |1.4.B.1f|7
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition off |1.4.B.1f|7
Nearside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|7
Offside Front coil spring incomplete |2.4.C.1a|7
Rear Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|7
Rear Fuel pipe leaking |7.2.3|7
Offside Front front brake binding |3.7.B.1|7
Rear Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated |7.1.1a|7
Nearside Outer Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|7
Exhaust emits dense blue smoke at idle |7.3.A.2b|7
Nearside Front brake disc excessively pitted |3.5.1h|7
Nearside Front Braking system leaking |3.6.A.1|6
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported |7.1.1|6
Offside Front Upper Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|6
Nearside Front Lower Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|6
Offside Rear position lamp|s| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.1.A.3f|6
Offside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|6
Offside Rear Statutory seat belt missing |5.1.1|6
Nearside Front Macpherson strut has excessive movement at the upper attachment |2.5.A.1c|6
Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|6
Exhaust emits excessive dense blue smoke during acceleration |7.3.A.2c|6
Offside Side repeater not working |1.4.A.2c|6
Emissions not tested |7.0|6
Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|6
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering |6.1.A.1|6
Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))6
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired |2.4.A.3|6
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|6
Offside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|6
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|5
Nearside Front front brake binding |3.7.B.1|5
Offside Rear coil spring incomplete |2.4.C.1a|5
Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching by more than 10mm within zone `A` |8.3.1b|5
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|5
Nearside Rear position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|5
Offside Front constant velocity joint gaiter insecurely mounted to its housing |2.5.C.1a|5
Nearside Front Coil spring not correctly located |2.4.C.2|5
Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|5
Steering rack insecure |2.2.B.1a|5
Offside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated |2.5.A.2|5
Nearside Front coil spring incomplete |2.4.C.1a|5
Nearside Rear Coil spring not correctly located |2.4.C.2|5
Offside Rear Coil spring not correctly located |2.4.C.2|5
Centre Exhaust mounting missing |7.1.1b|5
Offside Headlamp excessively damaged so that the light output is severely reduced |1.7.5a|5
Nearside Steering rack gaiter split |2.2.D.2d|5
Offside Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on |8.2.1b|5
Offside Front Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release |5.2.5a|5
Nearside Rear position lamp|s| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance |1.1.A.3d|5
Nearside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated |2.5.A.2|5
Offside Front brake disc excessively pitted |3.5.1h|5
Nearside Rear position lamp|s| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.1.A.3f|5
Nearside Front Direction indicator insecure |1.4.A.2b|5
Brake performance not tested |3.7.A.1|5
Nearside Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion |6.1.C.1|5
Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak |2.7.3|5
Offside Front coil spring fractured |2.4.C.1a|5
Nearside Front Side repeater not working |1.4.A.2c|5
Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated |8.2.2|5
Stop lamp remains on when the brakes are released5
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|5
Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching into the swept area by more than 40mm outside zone `A` |8.3.1e|5
Front Windscreen wiper not operating over a large enough area to give an adequate view |8.2.1c|5
Offside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect |1.8.A.1b|5

We get to these numbers by trawling through over 1 billion MOT test results since 2004 and crunched the numbers. We remove anything to do with Tyres, as they are model independent and group together common non-model specific issues. We are trying to get to a picture of what models have what issues.

Please note: We take the data from the DVSA. This data is raw and can contain typos and spelling mistakes that garages may have entered while recording a MOT result. Specifically miss-match on names of models and makes. We are constantly cleaning the data so bear with the odd issue.

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