Recorded in
1.1% 77% fail
of every MOT test in our data — 1,208,751 records across 1,465 models.
Lamps & electrics → Headlamp aim incorrect
The Headlamp aim incorrect MOT failure is recorded in 1.1% of all MOT tests in the DVSA data — 1,208,751 records across 1,465 models. A typical repair costs £30–£80. This page explains what the item means, how testers write it down, what a repair usually involves and Ford Focus C-Max records it most often for its size.
Fixed at the test
23%
were put right on the spot, so a fail was not recorded.
Typical cost
£30–£80
Usually a garage job. Estimate, fitted where needed.
What Headlamp aim incorrect means on an MOT
Headlamp aim incorrect is an MOT inspection item in the lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment section of the manual. The tester records it when they see the condition the description names — here, when headlamp aim incorrect. A headlamp must light as intended and be aimed within the manual's beam-setter limits; aim and condition are both checked. The failure is reported against that rule, so the page uses the tester's own wording.
How common is Headlamp aim incorrect on an MOT?
Recorded in 1.1% of every MOT test in our data — 1,208,751 records across 1,465 models. That is 1% in every hundred tests, which puts Headlamp aim incorrect in the middle of the items testers record.
Of the 1,208,751 records for this item, 76.6% of the records are a fail (Major or Dangerous), 23.4% 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.
- Headlamp not working on dipped beam — 1,341,566 records
- Headlamp aim too low — 1,080,632 records
- Headlamp aim too high — 797,743 records
- Headlamp aim not tested unable to be tested — 239,319 records
- Headlamp not working on main beam — 218,075 records
- Headlamp aim too far to the right — 30,860 records
- Headlamp aim too low and too far to the right. — 25,968 records
- Headlamp aim too high and too far to the right. — 25,295 records
- Headlamp aim too far to the left — 16,119 records
- Headlamp aim too low and too far to the left. — 15,966 records
What does it cost to fix Headlamp aim incorrect?
A typical repair on this item costs £30–£80 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 Headlamp aim incorrect most often
As a rate of each model's own tests, Ford Focus C-Max and Toyota Celica lead the list: Ford Focus C-Max records it on 6.1% 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 | Ford Focus C-Max | 6.1% | 56,718 | — |
| 2 | Toyota Celica | 4.5% | 27,501 | — |
| 3 | Honda Accord | 4.3% | 95,487 | 3.9× · year by year → |
| 4 | Peugeot 207 | 4.2% | 541,214 | — |
| 5 | Mitsubishi Colt | 4.1% | 86,319 | — |
| 6 | Renault Modus | 3.9% | 49,465 | — |
| 7 | Hyundai I800 | 3.9% | 29,941 | — |
| 8 | Vauxhall Astravan | 3.8% | 30,363 | — |
| 9 | Rover 75 | 3.8% | 28,888 | — |
| 10 | Peugeot 307 | 3.8% | 121,498 | — |
| 11 | Vauxhall Vectra | 3.6% | 117,307 | 3.3× · year by year → |
| 12 | Volkswagen Lupo | 3.6% | 21,292 | — |
| 13 | Volkswagen Bora | 3.4% | 20,051 | — |
| 14 | Audi A2 | 3.4% | 25,108 | — |
| 15 | Nissan Almera | 3.4% | 54,229 | — |
| 16 | Fiat Punto | 3.2% | 226,310 | 2.9× · year by year → |
| 17 | Dacia Duster | 3.2% | 234,849 | — |
| 18 | Honda Civic | 3.2% | 985,342 | 2.9× · year by year → |
| 19 | Fiat Grande Punto | 3.1% | 25,466 | — |
| 20 | Peugeot 206 | 3.0% | 175,269 | 2.7× · year by year → |
Which years of car record Headlamp aim incorrect
| Year | Recorded in |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 1.6% |
| 2011 | 1.4% |
| 2012 | 1.1% |
| 2013 | 1.1% |
| 2014 | 0.9% |
| 2015 | 0.6% |
| 2016 | 0.5% |
| 2017 | 0.4% |
| 2018 | 0.3% |
| 2019 | 0.3% |
| 2020 | 0.2% |
| 2021 | 0.1% |
| 2022 | 0.1% |
| 2023 | 0.1% |
| 2024 | 0.1% |
| 2025 | 0.1% |
These are rates by year of registration from 2010 to 2025, 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 Headlamp aim incorrect
How common is Headlamp aim incorrect on an MOT?
It is recorded in 1.1% of all MOT tests — 1,208,751 records across 1,465 models.
Does Headlamp aim incorrect fail the MOT or just get an advisory?
76.6% of the records for it are a fail, 23.4% 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 Headlamp aim incorrect most often?
Ford Focus C-Max and Toyota Celica head the list, at a rate of each model's own tests — Ford Focus C-Max records it on 6.1%. Only models with at least 20,000 recorded tests are shown.
How much does it cost to fix Headlamp aim incorrect?
Typically £30–£80 fitted, and it is usually a garage job. That is an estimate from reported prices, not a DVSA figure.
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