What does this model break down with most often? We surface the failure categories that appear most frequently - ranked by how often they show up and how serious they tend to be.
Why some models fail in the same places
MOT failures aren't random. When you look at thousands of the same make, model, and year, patterns emerge. Certain components fail repeatedly - and they're almost always the same ones. This isn't bad luck. It's the car.
BIB identifies which areas are statistically most likely to fail on the car you're looking at. Not what might go wrong in theory - what actually does go wrong, across thousands of real tests on the same model.
The six MOT failure categories
BIB ranks each category by how frequently it appears in failures for this specific model.
Brakes
High impactThe most common MOT failure category nationally. Worn pads, corroded discs, uneven braking, handbrake effectiveness.
Suspension
High impactWorn bushes, shock absorbers, ball joints. Often develops gradually - easy to miss without knowing what to feel for.
Lighting
Medium impactBulbs, alignment, lens condition. Frequently advisory-level on older cars. Simple to fix but often left unattended.
Emissions
Medium impactCatalytic converter condition, exhaust leaks, lambda sensors. Diesel particulate filter failures increasing on older diesels.
Steering
High impactPlay in the steering, worn track rod ends, power steering leaks. Often an early indicator of wider drivetrain wear.
Bodywork & Structure
High impactCorrosion on sills, subframes, and floor. Particularly relevant on older cars and those used in high-salt environments.
How the ranking works
Failure areas are ranked by two factors combined: frequency (how often this category appears in failure records for this model) and severity (whether failures in this area are immediate safety concerns or advisory-level issues).
A common but minor issue ranks lower than a less frequent but safety-critical one. The ranking reflects real risk, not just raw numbers.
What it looks like in your report
App screengrab
Categories ranked by a combined score of frequency and severity - safety-critical failures appear above routine wear items.
What this means when you view the car
Knowing the common failure areas before you arrive changes how you view a car. Instead of a general look around, you know exactly which parts of the car to pay closest attention to - and what warning signs to look for in those areas.
"If I know suspension is the number one failure area on this model, I'm not just doing a general test drive. I'm specifically listening for knocking over bumps, feeling for vagueness in the steering, and asking the seller when the bushes were last checked."
BIB's Questions To Ask section builds on the failure areas to give you a specific inspection checklist.
See the failure profile for any car
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