Recorded in
1.0% 42% fail
of every MOT test in our data — 1,080,632 records across 1,974 models.
Lamps & electrics → Headlamp aim too low
The Headlamp aim too low MOT failure is recorded in 1.0% of all MOT tests in the DVSA data — 1,080,632 records across 1,974 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 Dacia Logan records it most often for its size.
Fixed at the test
58%
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 low means on an MOT
Headlamp aim too low 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 low. 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 low on an MOT?
Recorded in 1.0% of every MOT test in our data — 1,080,632 records across 1,974 models. That is 1% in every hundred tests, which puts Headlamp aim too low in the middle of the items testers record.
Of the 1,080,632 records for this item, 42.4% of the records are a fail (Major or Dangerous), 57.6% 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 high — 797,743 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 low?
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 low most often
As a rate of each model's own tests, Dacia Logan and Dacia Sandero lead the list: Dacia Logan records it on 3.3% 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 | Dacia Logan | 3.3% | 54,592 | — |
| 2 | Dacia Sandero | 3.1% | 347,892 | — |
| 3 | Jaguar X-Type | 2.4% | 93,223 | — |
| 4 | Dacia Duster | 2.1% | 234,849 | — |
| 5 | Jaguar S-Type | 2.1% | 39,418 | — |
| 6 | SEAT Altea | 2.0% | 51,016 | — |
| 7 | Nissan Almera | 2.0% | 54,229 | — |
| 8 | Volkswagen Fox | 1.9% | 104,121 | — |
| 9 | Volvo V50 | 1.8% | 120,069 | — |
| 10 | Volvo S40 | 1.8% | 69,731 | — |
| 11 | Fiat Grande Punto | 1.8% | 25,466 | — |
| 12 | Volkswagen Scirocco | 1.8% | 168,457 | — |
| 13 | Citroen DS4 | 1.8% | 40,514 | — |
| 14 | MINI Mini | 1.8% | 1,024,301 | — |
| 15 | Audi A2 | 1.7% | 25,108 | — |
| 16 | Citroen C4 Grand Picasso | 1.7% | 53,329 | — |
| 17 | London Taxis Int TX4 | 1.7% | 44,719 | — |
| 18 | Fiat Punto | 1.7% | 226,310 | — |
| 19 | Volvo S80 | 1.6% | 25,085 | — |
| 20 | MINI COOPER D | 1.6% | 24,045 | — |
Which years of car record Headlamp aim too low
| Year | Recorded in |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 1.3% |
| 2011 | 1.2% |
| 2012 | 1.1% |
| 2013 | 1.1% |
| 2014 | 1.0% |
| 2015 | 0.9% |
| 2016 | 0.8% |
| 2017 | 0.7% |
| 2018 | 0.7% |
| 2019 | 0.6% |
| 2020 | 0.6% |
| 2021 | 0.6% |
| 2022 | 0.5% |
| 2023 | 0.4% |
| 2024 | 0.3% |
| 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 low
How common is Headlamp aim too low on an MOT?
It is recorded in 1.0% of all MOT tests — 1,080,632 records across 1,974 models.
Does Headlamp aim too low fail the MOT or just get an advisory?
42.4% of the records for it are a fail, 57.6% 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 low most often?
Dacia Logan and Dacia Sandero head the list, at a rate of each model's own tests — Dacia Logan records it on 3.3%. Only models with at least 20,000 recorded tests are shown.
How much does it cost to fix Headlamp aim too low?
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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