Recorded in
0.4% 3% fail
of every MOT test in our data — 469,096 records across 1,048 models.
Lamps & electrics → Stop lamp partly not working
The Stop lamp partly not working MOT failure is recorded in 0.4% of all MOT tests in the DVSA data — 469,096 records across 1,048 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 Mercedes-Benz Citan records it most often for its size.
Advisory only
96%
were noted without failing the car.
Typical cost
£3–£12
Usually a DIY or independent-garage job. Estimate, fitted where needed.
What Stop lamp partly not working means on an MOT
Stop 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 stop lamp partly not working. A stop lamp must light with the brake pedal, show red, and be secure and correctly positioned. The failure is reported against that rule, so the page uses the tester's own wording.
How common is Stop lamp partly not working on an MOT?
Recorded in 0.4% of every MOT test in our data — 469,096 records across 1,048 models. That is 0% in every hundred tests, which puts Stop lamp partly not working in the middle of the items testers record.
Of the 469,096 records for this item, 3.2% of the records are a fail (Major or Dangerous), 0.8% were put right at the test and recorded as rectified and 96.0% are advisories that did not fail the car.
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
- Stop lamp not working — 1,816,976 records
- Position lamp with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning — 316,523 records
- Stop lamp with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning — 177,673 records
- Headlamp has a product on the light source so that the light output is severely reduced — 118,261 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 all not working — 58,136 records
- Stop lamp lens defective which has no effect on emitted light — 54,411 records
- Stop lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp — 53,091 records
What does it cost to fix Stop lamp partly not working?
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 Stop lamp partly not working most often
As a rate of each model's own tests, Mercedes-Benz Citan and Nissan Primastar lead the list: Mercedes-Benz Citan records it on 4.0% 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 | Mercedes-Benz Citan | 4.0% | 76,454 | — |
| 2 | Nissan Primastar | 3.9% | 37,947 | — |
| 3 | Renault Kangoo | 3.5% | 221,971 | 8.8× · year by year → |
| 4 | Fiat Scudo | 3.4% | 32,202 | — |
| 5 | Renault Modus | 3.3% | 49,465 | — |
| 6 | Ford Transit | 3.2% | 1,107,503 | 8.0× · year by year → |
| 7 | Renault Trafic | 3.0% | 420,397 | 7.5× · year by year → |
| 8 | Mercedes-Benz Clc | 2.8% | 33,693 | — |
| 9 | Vauxhall Vivaro | 2.7% | 731,991 | 6.8× · year by year → |
| 10 | Daihatsu Sirion | 2.5% | 22,729 | — |
| 11 | Ford Fusion | 2.5% | 197,378 | 6.3× · year by year → |
| 12 | Ford Tourneo | 2.3% | 49,920 | — |
| 13 | Citroen Dispatch | 2.3% | 180,027 | 5.7× · year by year → |
| 14 | Hyundai Getz | 2.3% | 76,810 | — |
| 15 | Honda Fr-V | 2.1% | 27,466 | — |
| 16 | Land Rover Freelander | 2.0% | 444,821 | 5.0× · year by year → |
| 17 | Ford S-Max | 1.9% | 276,065 | 4.7× · year by year → |
| 18 | Renault Megane | 1.9% | 411,704 | 4.7× · year by year → |
| 19 | Citroen Berlingo | 1.9% | 696,815 | 4.7× · year by year → |
| 20 | Honda Cr-V | 1.9% | 690,537 | 4.7× · year by year → |
Which years of car record Stop lamp partly not working
| Year | Recorded in |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 0.7% |
| 2011 | 0.6% |
| 2012 | 0.5% |
| 2013 | 0.5% |
| 2014 | 0.4% |
| 2015 | 0.3% |
| 2016 | 0.2% |
| 2017 | 0.1% |
| 2018 | 0.1% |
| 2019 | 0.1% |
| 2020 | 0.1% |
| 2021 | 0.1% |
| 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 Stop lamp partly not working
How common is Stop lamp partly not working on an MOT?
It is recorded in 0.4% of all MOT tests — 469,096 records across 1,048 models.
Does Stop lamp partly not working fail the MOT or just get an advisory?
3.2% of the records for it are a fail, 0.8% were fixed at the test, 0.0% are minor and 96.0% are advisories. In short, it is an advisory or minor most of the time rather than a fail.
Which cars record Stop lamp partly not working most often?
Mercedes-Benz Citan and Nissan Primastar head the list, at a rate of each model's own tests — Mercedes-Benz Citan records it on 4.0%. Only models with at least 20,000 recorded tests are shown.
How much does it cost to fix Stop lamp partly not working?
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 →