Recorded in
2.1% 69% fail
of every MOT test in our data — 2,355,151 records across 1,573 models.
Lamps & electrics → Position lamp not working
The Position lamp not working MOT failure is recorded in 2.1% of all MOT tests in the DVSA data — 2,355,151 records across 1,573 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 Nissan NV200 records it most often for its size.
Fixed at the test
31%
were put right on the spot, so a fail was not recorded.
Typical cost
£5–£25
Usually a DIY or independent-garage job. Estimate, fitted where needed.
What Position lamp not working means on an MOT
Position lamp 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 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 not working on an MOT?
Recorded in 2.1% of every MOT test in our data — 2,355,151 records across 1,573 models. That is 2% in every hundred tests, which puts Position lamp not working in the middle of the items testers record.
Of the 2,355,151 records for this item, 68.8% of the records are a fail (Major or Dangerous), 31.2% 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.
- Position lamp with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning — 316,523 records
- Registration plate lamp(s) does not illuminate simultaneously with the position lamps — 156,825 records
- Position lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp — 112,859 records
- Position lamp light intensity obviously reduced — 60,642 records
- Position lamp light intensity significantly reduced — 32,586 records
- Position lamp with a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning — 32,142 records
- Position lamp has a product on the lens or light source which significantly reduces light intensity — 26,782 records
- Position lamp showing white light to the rear — 26,474 records
- Position lamp incorrect colour — 24,478 records
- Position lamp insecure — 13,479 records
What does it cost to fix Position lamp 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 not working most often
As a rate of each model's own tests, Nissan NV200 and Peugeot 307 lead the list: Nissan NV200 records it on 8.3% 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 | Nissan NV200 | 8.3% | 100,010 | 4.0× · year by year → |
| 2 | Peugeot 307 | 7.4% | 121,498 | — |
| 3 | Vauxhall Antara | 7.3% | 79,960 | 3.5× · year by year → |
| 4 | Honda Fr-V | 7.2% | 27,466 | — |
| 5 | Chevrolet Spark | 6.7% | 56,981 | — |
| 6 | Fiat Scudo | 6.6% | 32,202 | 3.1× · year by year → |
| 7 | Renault Modus | 6.5% | 49,465 | — |
| 8 | Chevrolet Aveo | 6.5% | 35,342 | — |
| 9 | Renault Laguna | 6.4% | 36,948 | 3.0× · year by year → |
| 10 | Peugeot 207 | 6.3% | 541,214 | — |
| 11 | Citroen Berlingo | 6.3% | 696,815 | 3.0× · year by year → |
| 12 | MINI COOPER D | 6.2% | 24,045 | — |
| 13 | Hyundai I800 | 6.1% | 29,941 | — |
| 14 | MINI Mini | 6.1% | 1,024,301 | 2.9× · year by year → |
| 15 | Nissan Primastar | 6.1% | 37,947 | 2.9× · year by year → |
| 16 | Ford Galaxy | 6.0% | 225,566 | 2.9× · year by year → |
| 17 | Peugeot Partner | 6.0% | 564,170 | 2.9× · year by year → |
| 18 | Lexus RX450H | 5.9% | 23,774 | — |
| 19 | Mitsubishi Colt | 5.8% | 86,319 | 2.8× · year by year → |
| 20 | Honda Accord | 5.8% | 95,487 | 2.8× · year by year → |
Which years of car record Position lamp not working
| Year | Recorded in |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 4.2% |
| 2011 | 3.6% |
| 2012 | 3.2% |
| 2013 | 2.5% |
| 2014 | 1.8% |
| 2015 | 1.2% |
| 2016 | 0.9% |
| 2017 | 0.6% |
| 2018 | 0.4% |
| 2019 | 0.2% |
| 2020 | 0.1% |
| 2021 | 0.1% |
| 2022 | 0.1% |
| 2023 | 0.1% |
| 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 not working
How common is Position lamp not working on an MOT?
It is recorded in 2.1% of all MOT tests — 2,355,151 records across 1,573 models.
Does Position lamp not working fail the MOT or just get an advisory?
68.8% of the records for it are a fail, 31.2% 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 Position lamp not working most often?
Nissan NV200 and Peugeot 307 head the list, at a rate of each model's own tests — Nissan NV200 records it on 8.3%. Only models with at least 20,000 recorded tests are shown.
How much does it cost to fix Position lamp 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.
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