Recorded in
0.3% 0% fail
of every MOT test in our data — 316,523 records across 1,016 models.
Lamps & electrics → Position lamp partly not working
The Position lamp partly not working MOT failure is recorded in 0.3% of all MOT tests in the DVSA data — 316,523 records across 1,016 models. A typical repair costs £5–£25. This page explains what the item means, how testers write it down, what a repair usually involves and Volvo V50 records it most often for its size.
Advisory only
0%
were noted without failing the car.
Typical cost
£5–£25
Usually a DIY or independent-garage job. Estimate, fitted where needed.
What Position lamp partly not working means on an MOT
Position lamp partly not working 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 position lamp partly not working. 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 Position lamp partly not working on an MOT?
Recorded in 0.3% of every MOT test in our data — 316,523 records across 1,016 models. That is 0% in every hundred tests, which puts Position lamp partly not working in the middle of the items testers record.
Of the 316,523 records for this item, 0.0% of the records are a fail (Major or Dangerous), 100.0% are minor.
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
- Position lamp not working — 2,355,151 records
- Stop lamp with a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning — 469,096 records
- Stop lamp with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning — 177,673 records
- Registration plate lamp(s) does not illuminate simultaneously with the position lamps — 156,825 records
- Headlamp has a product on the light source so that the light output is severely reduced — 118,261 records
- Position lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp — 112,859 records
- Registration plate lamp(s) missing in the case of multiple lamps or light sources — 60,737 records
- Position lamp light intensity obviously reduced — 60,642 records
- Stop lamp lens defective which has no effect on emitted light — 54,411 records
What does it cost to fix Position lamp partly not working?
A typical repair on this item costs £5–£25 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 Position lamp partly not working most often
As a rate of each model's own tests, Volvo V50 and Fiat Grande Punto lead the list: Volvo V50 records it on 3.0% 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 | Volvo V50 | 3.0% | 120,069 | — |
| 2 | Fiat Grande Punto | 2.6% | 25,466 | — |
| 3 | Peugeot 307 | 2.5% | 121,498 | — |
| 4 | Ford Galaxy | 2.4% | 225,566 | 8.0× · year by year → |
| 5 | Mercedes-Benz Clc | 2.2% | 33,693 | — |
| 6 | Lexus RX450H | 2.2% | 23,774 | — |
| 7 | Volvo V90 | 2.1% | 33,448 | — |
| 8 | Ford S-Max | 1.9% | 276,065 | 6.3× · year by year → |
| 9 | Volvo S40 | 1.8% | 69,731 | — |
| 10 | Volkswagen Eos | 1.6% | 46,785 | — |
| 11 | Vauxhall Vectra | 1.6% | 117,307 | — |
| 12 | Nissan Pulsar | 1.6% | 76,355 | — |
| 13 | MINI Mini | 1.5% | 1,024,301 | — |
| 14 | Honda Accord | 1.4% | 95,487 | — |
| 15 | Mercedes-Benz Ml | 1.4% | 115,408 | 4.7× · year by year → |
| 16 | BMW X5 | 1.4% | 283,043 | 4.7× · year by year → |
| 17 | Volvo XC90 | 1.4% | 210,525 | 4.7× · year by year → |
| 18 | Volvo V70 | 1.4% | 146,306 | 4.7× · year by year → |
| 19 | Nissan Elgrand | 1.2% | 48,135 | — |
| 20 | Ford Mondeo | 1.2% | 711,192 | 4.0× · year by year → |
Which years of car record Position lamp partly not working
| Year | Recorded in |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 0.6% |
| 2011 | 0.5% |
| 2012 | 0.4% |
| 2013 | 0.3% |
| 2014 | 0.3% |
| 2015 | 0.2% |
| 2016 | 0.1% |
| 2017 | 0.1% |
| 2018 | 0.1% |
| 2019 | 0.1% |
| 2020 | 0.1% |
| 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 Position lamp partly not working
How common is Position lamp partly not working on an MOT?
It is recorded in 0.3% of all MOT tests — 316,523 records across 1,016 models.
Does Position lamp partly not working fail the MOT or just get an advisory?
0.0% of the records for it are a fail, 0.0% were fixed at the test, 100.0% 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 Position lamp partly not working most often?
Volvo V50 and Fiat Grande Punto head the list, at a rate of each model's own tests — Volvo V50 records it on 3.0%. Only models with at least 20,000 recorded tests are shown.
How much does it cost to fix Position lamp partly not working?
Typically £5–£25 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 →