Recorded in
1.6% 64% fail
of every MOT test in our data — 1,816,976 records across 1,469 models.
Lamps & electrics → Stop lamp not working
The Stop lamp not working MOT failure is recorded in 1.6% of all MOT tests in the DVSA data — 1,816,976 records across 1,469 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 Ford B-Max records it most often for its size.
Fixed at the test
36%
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 Stop lamp not working means on an MOT
Stop 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 stop lamp 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 not working on an MOT?
Recorded in 1.6% of every MOT test in our data — 1,816,976 records across 1,469 models. That is 2% in every hundred tests, which puts Stop lamp not working in the middle of the items testers record.
Of the 1,816,976 records for this item, 64.0% of the records are a fail (Major or Dangerous), 36.0% 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.
- 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
- 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
- Stop lamp light intensity obviously reduced — 20,005 records
- Stop lamp emits other than a steady red light — 18,762 records
- Stop lamp light intensity significantly reduced — 13,092 records
- Stop lamp remains on when the brakes are released — 12,024 records
- Stop lamp lens defective such that the emitted light is adversely affected — 7,464 records
What does it cost to fix Stop lamp 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 not working most often
As a rate of each model's own tests, Ford B-Max and Ford Fusion lead the list: Ford B-Max records it on 7.0% 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 | Ford B-Max | 7.0% | 190,750 | — |
| 2 | Ford Fusion | 6.2% | 197,378 | 3.9× · year by year → |
| 3 | Vauxhall Antara | 6.2% | 79,960 | 3.9× · year by year → |
| 4 | Mercedes-Benz Citan | 5.8% | 76,454 | — |
| 5 | Renault Grand Scenic | 5.8% | 83,873 | 3.6× · year by year → |
| 6 | Citroen Berlingo | 5.4% | 696,815 | 3.4× · year by year → |
| 7 | Suzuki Alto | 5.3% | 174,258 | 3.3× · year by year → |
| 8 | Renault Megane | 5.2% | 411,704 | 3.3× · year by year → |
| 9 | Citroen Xsara | 5.2% | 106,340 | 3.3× · year by year → |
| 10 | Hyundai Getz | 5.2% | 76,810 | — |
| 11 | Chevrolet Spark | 5.1% | 56,981 | — |
| 12 | Ford Transit Courier | 5.1% | 94,151 | — |
| 13 | Chevrolet Captiva | 5.0% | 23,583 | — |
| 14 | Peugeot Partner | 4.9% | 564,170 | 3.1× · year by year → |
| 15 | Ford Fiesta | 4.9% | 5,140,104 | 3.1× · year by year → |
| 16 | Hyundai Amica | 4.6% | 22,089 | — |
| 17 | SsangYong Korando | 4.4% | 26,069 | — |
| 18 | Nissan Pixo | 4.4% | 42,149 | — |
| 19 | Peugeot 207 | 4.4% | 541,214 | — |
| 20 | Nissan Almera | 4.3% | 54,229 | — |
Which years of car record Stop lamp not working
| Year | Recorded in |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 2.6% |
| 2011 | 2.4% |
| 2012 | 2.2% |
| 2013 | 2.0% |
| 2014 | 1.6% |
| 2015 | 1.3% |
| 2016 | 1.1% |
| 2017 | 0.8% |
| 2018 | 0.5% |
| 2019 | 0.3% |
| 2020 | 0.2% |
| 2021 | 0.2% |
| 2022 | 0.2% |
| 2023 | 0.1% |
| 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 Stop lamp not working
How common is Stop lamp not working on an MOT?
It is recorded in 1.6% of all MOT tests — 1,816,976 records across 1,469 models.
Does Stop lamp not working fail the MOT or just get an advisory?
64.0% of the records for it are a fail, 36.0% 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 Stop lamp not working most often?
Ford B-Max and Ford Fusion head the list, at a rate of each model's own tests — Ford B-Max records it on 7.0%. Only models with at least 20,000 recorded tests are shown.
How much does it cost to fix Stop lamp 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 →