Yes. The MOT fails an ABS warning light that shows a fault or doesn't work, as well as damaged or missing wheel speed sensors and wiring. On cars first used from 1 January 2010, ABS that has obviously been removed also fails.
Testers grade each defect: a major or dangerous defect fails the MOT, a minor one passes but is written on the certificate.
| Defect | Result |
|---|---|
| Warning device not working | FailsMajor |
| Warning device shows system malfunction | FailsMajor |
| Wheel speed sensors missing or damaged | FailsMajor |
| Wiring damaged | FailsMajor |
| Other components missing or damaged | FailsMajor |
| ABS system obviously removed | FailsMajor |
From DVSA's MOT inspection manual for cars and passenger vehicles. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
In 2025, 120,883 car MOTs failed on ABS faults: 0.38%, or about 1 in 260. Testers also noted it as an advisory on 2,887 MOTs: something to keep an eye on that didn't fail the test.
Share of the MOTs that failed on ABS faults. One MOT can fail for more than one reason.
Share of car MOTs in each mileage band that failed on ABS faults.
1.28% of MOTs on cars registered in 2005 failed on ABS faults, against 0.03% for cars registered in 2022.
Models that failed on ABS faults at least 1.15 times as often as the average car of the same age and mileage, out of 85 with at least 30 MOTs failed on it.
Least often: BMW 5 Series (0.1×), Land Rover Discovery (0.2×), BMW X1 (0.2×), Range Rover Sport (0.2×), Toyota Auris (0.2×).
Yes
In 2025, 120,883 car MOTs failed on ABS faults, about 1 in 260.
1 in 260car MOTs failed on ABS faults in 2025
Yes. The MOT fails an ABS warning light that shows a fault or doesn't work, as well as damaged or missing wheel speed sensors and wiring. On cars first used from 1 January 2010, ABS that has obviously been removed also fails.
In 2025, 120,883 car MOTs failed on ABS faults: 0.38%, or about 1 in 260.
Against the average car of the same age and mileage, the MG ZS (4.8 times as often), Hyundai Tucson (4.6 times as often) and Peugeot 308 (3.0 times as often), going by 2025 MOT results.