Recorded in
0.3% 100% fail
of every MOT test in our data — 359,087 records across 1,146 models.
Emissions & noise → Emissions not tested unable to be completed
The Emissions not tested unable to be completed MOT failure is recorded in 0.3% of all MOT tests in the DVSA data — 359,087 records across 1,146 models. A typical repair costs £60–£250. This page explains what the item means, how testers write it down, what a repair usually involves and Hyundai Coupe records it most often for its size.
Advisory only
0%
were noted without failing the car.
Typical cost
£60–£250
Usually a garage job. Estimate, fitted where needed.
What Emissions not tested unable to be completed means on an MOT
Emissions not tested unable to be completed is an MOT inspection item in the noise, emissions and leaks section of the manual. The tester records it when they see the condition the description names — here, when emissions not tested unable to be completed. 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 Emissions not tested unable to be completed on an MOT?
Recorded in 0.3% of every MOT test in our data — 359,087 records across 1,146 models. That is 0% in every hundred tests, which puts Emissions not tested unable to be completed in the middle of the items testers record.
Of the 359,087 records for this item, 100.0% of the records are a fail (Major or Dangerous).
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.
- Headlamp aim not tested unable to be tested — 239,319 records
- Brake performance not tested unable to be tested — 141,488 records
- On or after 01/07/2008 emissions test not completed because smoke levels are significantly in excess of the specified limit values — 15,097 records
- Pre 01/07/2008 turbo emissions test not completed because smoke levels are significantly in excess of the specified limit values — 14,430 records
- Emissions not tested not tested — 13,801 records
- On or after 01/01/2014 emissions test not completed because smoke levels are significantly in excess of the specified limit values — 5,777 records
- Pre 01/07/2008 non turbo emissions test not completed because smoke levels are significantly in excess of the specified limit values — 1,819 records
What does it cost to fix Emissions not tested unable to be completed?
A typical repair on this item costs £60–£250 at UK prices, and it is usually a 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 Emissions not tested unable to be completed most often
As a rate of each model's own tests, Hyundai Coupe and Fiat Grande Punto lead the list: Hyundai Coupe records it on 1.9% 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 | Hyundai Coupe | 1.9% | 23,404 | — |
| 2 | Fiat Grande Punto | 1.7% | 25,466 | — |
| 3 | Volkswagen Fox | 1.7% | 104,121 | — |
| 4 | Toyota Celica | 1.7% | 27,501 | — |
| 5 | Volkswagen Lupo | 1.6% | 21,292 | — |
| 6 | Fiat Bravo | 1.6% | 20,488 | — |
| 7 | Fiat Punto | 1.6% | 226,310 | 5.3× · year by year → |
| 8 | Peugeot 206 | 1.5% | 175,269 | 5.0× · year by year → |
| 9 | Nissan Almera | 1.3% | 54,229 | — |
| 10 | Mazda Bongo | 1.3% | 30,855 | — |
| 11 | Hyundai Getz | 1.2% | 76,810 | — |
| 12 | Hyundai Amica | 1.2% | 22,089 | — |
| 13 | Subaru Impreza | 1.1% | 54,707 | — |
| 14 | Chevrolet Aveo | 1.1% | 35,342 | — |
| 15 | Peugeot 107 | 1.1% | 422,184 | 3.7× · year by year → |
| 16 | MG Tf | 1.1% | 32,921 | — |
| 17 | Vauxhall Vectra | 1.1% | 117,307 | — |
| 18 | Chevrolet Matiz | 1.0% | 40,193 | — |
| 19 | Daihatsu Sirion | 1.0% | 22,729 | — |
| 20 | MINI Mini | 1.0% | 1,024,301 | 3.3× · year by year → |
Which years of car record Emissions not tested unable to be completed
| Year | Recorded in |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 0.5% |
| 2011 | 0.4% |
| 2012 | 0.4% |
| 2013 | 0.3% |
| 2014 | 0.3% |
| 2015 | 0.2% |
| 2016 | 0.1% |
| 2017 | 0.1% |
| 2018 | 0.1% |
| 2019 | 0.0% |
| 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 Emissions not tested unable to be completed
How common is Emissions not tested unable to be completed on an MOT?
It is recorded in 0.3% of all MOT tests — 359,087 records across 1,146 models.
Does Emissions not tested unable to be completed fail the MOT or just get an advisory?
100.0% of the records for it are a fail, 0.0% 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 Emissions not tested unable to be completed most often?
Hyundai Coupe and Fiat Grande Punto head the list, at a rate of each model's own tests — Hyundai Coupe records it on 1.9%. Only models with at least 20,000 recorded tests are shown.
How much does it cost to fix Emissions not tested unable to be completed?
Typically £60–£250 fitted, and it is usually a garage job. That is an estimate from reported prices, not a DVSA figure.
All 83 common MOT failures → Repair cost list → Failed your MOT? What now →