Recorded in
0.3% 87% fail
of every MOT test in our data — 382,797 records across 1,405 models.
Lamps & electrics → Side repeaters not working
The Side repeaters not working MOT failure is recorded in 0.3% of all MOT tests in the DVSA data — 382,797 records across 1,405 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 Alfa Romeo Giulietta records it most often for its size.
Fixed at the test
13%
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 Side repeaters not working means on an MOT
Side repeaters 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 side repeaters 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 Side repeaters not working on an MOT?
Recorded in 0.3% of every MOT test in our data — 382,797 records across 1,405 models. That is 0% in every hundred tests, which puts Side repeaters not working in the middle of the items testers record.
Of the 382,797 records for this item, 86.6% of the records are a fail (Major or Dangerous), 13.4% 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.
- Side repeaters incorrect colour — 193,595 records
- Side repeaters lens defective which has no effect on emitted light — 190,771 records
- Side repeaters with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning — 49,665 records
- Side repeaters missing — 20,629 records
- Side repeaters light intensity significantly reduced — 20,524 records
- Side repeaters insecure — 19,789 records
- Side repeaters lens defective such that the emitted light is adversely affected — 15,144 records
- Side repeaters with a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning — 10,667 records
- Side repeaters likely to become detached — 3,566 records
- Side repeaters flashing more than 120 times a minute — 2,862 records
What does it cost to fix Side repeaters 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 Side repeaters not working most often
As a rate of each model's own tests, Alfa Romeo Giulietta and Chevrolet Captiva lead the list: Alfa Romeo Giulietta records it on 2.5% 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 | Alfa Romeo Giulietta | 2.5% | 91,823 | — |
| 2 | Chevrolet Captiva | 2.0% | 23,583 | — |
| 3 | Mercedes-Benz Clc | 1.7% | 33,693 | — |
| 4 | Volkswagen Bora | 1.6% | 20,051 | — |
| 5 | Hyundai Santa Fe | 1.4% | 123,122 | 4.7× · year by year → |
| 6 | Volkswagen Eos | 1.4% | 46,785 | — |
| 7 | BMW X3 | 1.4% | 317,988 | 4.3× · year by year → |
| 8 | Toyota Avensis | 1.3% | 228,289 | 4.3× · year by year → |
| 9 | Volkswagen Lupo | 1.2% | 21,292 | — |
| 10 | Hyundai IX35 | 1.2% | 195,456 | — |
| 11 | Mercedes-Benz Ml | 1.1% | 115,408 | — |
| 12 | Mercedes-Benz B-Class | 1.1% | 230,643 | — |
| 13 | Volkswagen Jetta | 1.1% | 49,204 | — |
| 14 | Citroen Relay | 1.1% | 53,684 | — |
| 15 | Honda Insight | 1.0% | 30,810 | — |
| 16 | Nissan Pathfinder | 0.9% | 22,325 | — |
| 17 | Volvo XC60 | 0.9% | 318,706 | — |
| 18 | Volkswagen Sharan | 0.9% | 126,447 | — |
| 19 | BMW X6 | 0.9% | 45,489 | — |
| 20 | Honda Civic | 0.9% | 985,342 | — |
Which years of car record Side repeaters not working
| Year | Recorded in |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 0.5% |
| 2011 | 0.5% |
| 2012 | 0.5% |
| 2013 | 0.4% |
| 2014 | 0.4% |
| 2015 | 0.3% |
| 2016 | 0.3% |
| 2017 | 0.2% |
| 2018 | 0.2% |
| 2019 | 0.2% |
| 2020 | 0.1% |
| 2021 | 0.1% |
| 2022 | 0.1% |
| 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 Side repeaters not working
How common is Side repeaters not working on an MOT?
It is recorded in 0.3% of all MOT tests — 382,797 records across 1,405 models.
Does Side repeaters not working fail the MOT or just get an advisory?
86.6% of the records for it are a fail, 13.4% 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 Side repeaters not working most often?
Alfa Romeo Giulietta and Chevrolet Captiva head the list, at a rate of each model's own tests — Alfa Romeo Giulietta records it on 2.5%. Only models with at least 20,000 recorded tests are shown.
How much does it cost to fix Side repeaters 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 →