Recorded in
0.7% 35% fail
of every MOT test in our data — 797,743 records across 2,024 models.
Lamps & electrics → Headlamp aim too high
The Headlamp aim too high MOT failure is recorded in 0.7% of all MOT tests in the DVSA data — 797,743 records across 2,024 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 Hyundai I800 records it most often for its size.
Fixed at the test
66%
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 too high means on an MOT
Headlamp aim too high 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 too high. 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 too high on an MOT?
Recorded in 0.7% of every MOT test in our data — 797,743 records across 2,024 models. That is 1% in every hundred tests, which puts Headlamp aim too high in the middle of the items testers record.
Of the 797,743 records for this item, 34.5% of the records are a fail (Major or Dangerous), 65.5% 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 aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect — 1,208,751 records
- Headlamp aim too low — 1,080,632 records
- Headlamp aim not tested unable to be tested — 239,319 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
- Headlamp aim too high and too far to the left. — 10,899 records
- Headlamp aim not tested not tested — 8,195 records
What does it cost to fix Headlamp aim too high?
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 too high most often
As a rate of each model's own tests, Hyundai I800 and London Taxis Int TX4 lead the list: Hyundai I800 records it on 2.1% 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 | Hyundai I800 | 2.1% | 29,941 | — |
| 2 | London Taxis Int TX4 | 1.7% | 44,719 | — |
| 3 | Land Rover Defender | 1.6% | 256,078 | 2.3× · year by year → |
| 4 | Citroen Relay | 1.5% | 53,684 | — |
| 5 | Vauxhall Corsa E | 1.5% | 24,357 | — |
| 6 | BMW I3 | 1.5% | 74,001 | — |
| 7 | Ford Ranger | 1.3% | 394,866 | — |
| 8 | Citroen Berlingo | 1.3% | 696,815 | — |
| 9 | Peugeot Partner | 1.3% | 564,170 | — |
| 10 | Volkswagen Lupo | 1.3% | 21,292 | — |
| 11 | Renault Master | 1.3% | 59,319 | — |
| 12 | Vauxhall Combo | 1.3% | 401,612 | — |
| 13 | Ford Transit Custom | 1.3% | 485,995 | — |
| 14 | Citroen DS3 | 1.2% | 290,266 | — |
| 15 | BMW X2 | 1.2% | 25,138 | — |
| 16 | MINI Mini | 1.2% | 1,024,301 | — |
| 17 | Peugeot Rcz | 1.2% | 39,506 | — |
| 18 | Hyundai Kona | 1.2% | 119,437 | — |
| 19 | Citroen Dispatch | 1.1% | 180,027 | — |
| 20 | Volvo S80 | 1.1% | 25,085 | — |
Which years of car record Headlamp aim too high
| Year | Recorded in |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 0.9% |
| 2011 | 0.9% |
| 2012 | 0.8% |
| 2013 | 0.8% |
| 2014 | 0.7% |
| 2015 | 0.6% |
| 2016 | 0.5% |
| 2017 | 0.5% |
| 2018 | 0.5% |
| 2019 | 0.6% |
| 2020 | 0.6% |
| 2021 | 0.7% |
| 2022 | 0.8% |
| 2023 | 0.7% |
| 2024 | 0.7% |
| 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 too high
How common is Headlamp aim too high on an MOT?
It is recorded in 0.7% of all MOT tests — 797,743 records across 2,024 models.
Does Headlamp aim too high fail the MOT or just get an advisory?
34.5% of the records for it are a fail, 65.5% were fixed at the test, 0.0% are minor and 0.0% are advisories. In short, it is an advisory or minor most of the time rather than a fail.
Which cars record Headlamp aim too high most often?
Hyundai I800 and London Taxis Int TX4 head the list, at a rate of each model's own tests — Hyundai I800 records it on 2.1%. Only models with at least 20,000 recorded tests are shown.
How much does it cost to fix Headlamp aim too high?
Typically £30–£80 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 →