Recorded in
0.3% 92% fail
of every MOT test in our data — 379,779 records across 1,200 models.
Brakes → ABS warning lamp on
The ABS warning lamp on MOT failure is recorded in 0.3% of all MOT tests in the DVSA data — 379,779 records across 1,200 models. A typical repair costs £3–£15. This page explains what the item means, how testers write it down, what a repair usually involves and Peugeot 407 records it most often for its size.
Advisory only
0%
were noted without failing the car.
Typical cost
£3–£15
Usually a DIY or independent-garage job. Estimate, fitted where needed.
What ABS warning lamp on means on an MOT
ABS warning lamp on is an MOT inspection item in the brakes section of the manual. The tester records it when they see the condition the description names — here, when aBS warning lamp on. How serious it is — fail, minor or advisory — comes from the tester's grading in the DVSA record, not from this page.
How common is ABS warning lamp on on an MOT?
Recorded in 0.3% of every MOT test in our data — 379,779 records across 1,200 models. That is 0% in every hundred tests, which puts ABS warning lamp on in the middle of the items testers record.
Of the 379,779 records for this item, 92.3% of the records are a fail (Major or Dangerous), 7.7% were put right at the test and recorded as rectified.
Other things testers write about this item
Testers do not all write the same thing. These are the exact DVSA strings from the records for this item, each with how many tests it was written on — the page's keyword vocabulary comes straight from them.
- Malfunction indicator lamp inoperative or indicates a malfunction — 1,377,121 records
- Srs malfunction indicator lamp warning lamp indicates a fault — 476,001 records
- Electronic stability control warning lamp indicates a fault — 187,385 records
- Rigid brake pipes leaking on a hydraulic braking system — 46,161 records
- Parking (secondary brake performance) on a single line braking system has inadequate effort at a wheel — 33,847 records
- Brake fluid warning lamp illuminated — 28,749 records
- Electronic parking brake warning indicates a malfunction — 14,959 records
- Electronic power steering warning lamp indicates a system malfunction — 14,882 records
- Parking (secondary brake performance) on a single line braking system grabbing severely — 14,579 records
- Electronic braking system warning device indicates a fault — 12,439 records
What does it cost to fix ABS warning lamp on?
A typical repair on this item costs £3–£15 at UK prices, and it is usually a DIY or independent-garage job. The bracket is our estimate from reported prices and parts, rather than a DVSA figure — see how it is built on the method page.
How the price brackets are built · full repair cost list · add it to your fail-sheet total.
Models that record ABS warning lamp on most often
As a rate of each model's own tests, Peugeot 407 and Hyundai Coupe lead the list: Peugeot 407 records it on 4.0% of its tests. The rate, not the volume, is what matters here — a model with 20,000 tests can outrank one with a million.
| # | Model | Rate | Tests | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Peugeot 407 | 4.0% | 35,494 | — |
| 2 | Hyundai Coupe | 2.9% | 23,404 | — |
| 3 | Chevrolet Captiva | 2.2% | 23,583 | — |
| 4 | Chevrolet Aveo | 2.0% | 35,342 | — |
| 5 | Nissan Primastar | 1.8% | 37,947 | — |
| 6 | Jaguar S-Type | 1.7% | 39,418 | — |
| 7 | Volkswagen California | 1.7% | 28,305 | — |
| 8 | Renault Laguna | 1.7% | 36,948 | — |
| 9 | Peugeot 307 | 1.6% | 121,498 | — |
| 10 | Honda Accord | 1.5% | 95,487 | — |
| 11 | Audi A2 | 1.4% | 25,108 | — |
| 12 | Jaguar Xkr | 1.3% | 26,440 | — |
| 13 | Mitsubishi Lancer | 1.3% | 34,736 | — |
| 14 | Mazda Bongo | 1.2% | 30,855 | — |
| 15 | Volkswagen Transporter | 1.2% | 1,025,245 | 4.0× · year by year → |
| 16 | Chevrolet Matiz | 1.2% | 40,193 | — |
| 17 | Citroen Xsara | 1.2% | 106,340 | — |
| 18 | Ford Ranger | 1.2% | 394,866 | 4.0× · year by year → |
| 19 | Volkswagen Bora | 1.1% | 20,051 | — |
| 20 | Peugeot 206 | 1.1% | 175,269 | — |
Which years of car record ABS warning lamp on
| Year | Recorded in |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 0.6% |
| 2011 | 0.5% |
| 2012 | 0.3% |
| 2013 | 0.3% |
| 2014 | 0.3% |
| 2015 | 0.2% |
| 2016 | 0.2% |
| 2017 | 0.1% |
| 2018 | 0.1% |
| 2019 | 0.1% |
| 2020 | 0.0% |
| 2021 | 0.0% |
| 2022 | 0.0% |
| 2023 | 0.0% |
| 2024 | 0.0% |
These are rates by year of registration from 2010 to 2024, not year of test, so the curve mostly reflects age — a recent car has barely been to a test station. Compare models at the same age instead.
Frequently asked questions about ABS warning lamp on
How common is ABS warning lamp on on an MOT?
It is recorded in 0.3% of all MOT tests — 379,779 records across 1,200 models.
Does ABS warning lamp on fail the MOT or just get an advisory?
92.3% of the records for it are a fail, 7.7% were fixed at the test, 0.0% are minor and 0.0% are advisories. In short, it is a fail (Major or Dangerous) most of the time.
Which cars record ABS warning lamp on most often?
Peugeot 407 and Hyundai Coupe head the list, at a rate of each model's own tests — Peugeot 407 records it on 4.0%. Only models with at least 20,000 recorded tests are shown.
How much does it cost to fix ABS warning lamp on?
Typically £3–£15 fitted, and it is usually a DIY or independent-garage job. That is an estimate from reported prices, not a DVSA figure.
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