Recorded in
1.2% 82% fail
of every MOT test in our data — 1,377,121 records across 1,697 models.
Emissions & noise → Malfunction indicator lamp inoperative
The Malfunction indicator lamp inoperative MOT failure is recorded in 1.2% of all MOT tests in the DVSA data — 1,377,121 records across 1,697 models. A typical repair costs £3–£12. This page explains what the item means, how testers write it down, what a repair usually involves and Saab 9-5 records it most often for its size.
Fixed at the test
18%
were put right on the spot, so a fail was not recorded.
Typical cost
£3–£12
Usually a DIY or independent-garage job. Estimate, fitted where needed.
What Malfunction indicator lamp inoperative means on an MOT
Malfunction indicator lamp inoperative 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 malfunction indicator lamp inoperative. 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 Malfunction indicator lamp inoperative on an MOT?
Recorded in 1.2% of every MOT test in our data — 1,377,121 records across 1,697 models. That is 1% in every hundred tests, which puts Malfunction indicator lamp inoperative in the middle of the items testers record.
Of the 1,377,121 records for this item, 82.4% of the records are a fail (Major or Dangerous), 17.6% 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.
- Registration plate lamp(s) inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources — 3,551,290 records
- Registration plate lamp(s) inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps — 1,036,502 records
- Srs malfunction indicator lamp warning lamp indicates a fault — 476,001 records
- Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault — 379,779 records
- Electronic stability control warning lamp indicates a fault — 187,385 records
- Direction indicator tell-tale inoperative — 19,618 records
- Lamp inoperative — 15,790 records
- Electronic parking brake warning indicates a malfunction — 14,959 records
- Electronic power steering warning lamp indicates a system malfunction — 14,882 records
- Front fog lamp switch inoperative — 1,162 records
What does it cost to fix Malfunction indicator lamp inoperative?
A typical repair on this item costs £3–£12 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 Malfunction indicator lamp inoperative most often
As a rate of each model's own tests, Saab 9-5 and Nissan Navara lead the list: Saab 9-5 records it on 3.9% 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 | Saab 9-5 | 3.9% | 28,153 | — |
| 2 | Nissan Navara | 3.6% | 262,149 | 3.0× · year by year → |
| 3 | Vauxhall Zafira | 3.5% | 764,910 | 2.9× · year by year → |
| 4 | Chevrolet Captiva | 3.5% | 23,583 | — |
| 5 | Volkswagen Beetle | 3.5% | 167,030 | 2.9× · year by year → |
| 6 | Jaguar X-Type | 3.3% | 93,223 | — |
| 7 | Volkswagen Lupo | 3.2% | 21,292 | — |
| 8 | Jeep Renegade | 3.2% | 92,469 | — |
| 9 | Volkswagen Crafter | 3.2% | 25,501 | — |
| 10 | Audi A2 | 3.1% | 25,108 | — |
| 11 | Mercedes-Benz Vito | 3.1% | 319,824 | 2.6× · year by year → |
| 12 | London Taxis Int TX4 | 3.0% | 44,719 | — |
| 13 | Hyundai Amica | 3.0% | 22,089 | — |
| 14 | Jaguar S-Type | 3.0% | 39,418 | — |
| 15 | Renault Trafic | 3.0% | 420,397 | 2.5× · year by year → |
| 16 | Vauxhall Vivaro | 2.9% | 731,991 | 2.4× · year by year → |
| 17 | Fiat Fiorino | 2.9% | 31,353 | — |
| 18 | Jeep Cherokee | 2.8% | 30,409 | — |
| 19 | Ford Focus C-Max | 2.8% | 56,718 | — |
| 20 | Hyundai I800 | 2.8% | 29,941 | — |
Which years of car record Malfunction indicator lamp inoperative
| Year | Recorded in |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 1.5% |
| 2011 | 1.4% |
| 2012 | 1.3% |
| 2013 | 1.2% |
| 2014 | 1.2% |
| 2015 | 1.2% |
| 2016 | 1.1% |
| 2017 | 1.0% |
| 2018 | 0.8% |
| 2019 | 0.7% |
| 2020 | 0.5% |
| 2021 | 0.4% |
| 2022 | 0.3% |
| 2023 | 0.2% |
| 2024 | 0.1% |
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 Malfunction indicator lamp inoperative
How common is Malfunction indicator lamp inoperative on an MOT?
It is recorded in 1.2% of all MOT tests — 1,377,121 records across 1,697 models.
Does Malfunction indicator lamp inoperative fail the MOT or just get an advisory?
82.4% of the records for it are a fail, 17.6% 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 Malfunction indicator lamp inoperative most often?
Saab 9-5 and Nissan Navara head the list, at a rate of each model's own tests — Saab 9-5 records it on 3.9%. Only models with at least 20,000 recorded tests are shown.
How much does it cost to fix Malfunction indicator lamp inoperative?
Typically £3–£12 fitted, and it is usually a DIY or independent-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 →