mechanics.tradeHeadlamp condition
Headlamp condition came up 1,469,274 times at the MOT during 2025, the 3rd most recorded defect on the list.
What it is
Here the tester is looking at the lamp itself rather than where it points: a cracked or clouded lens, or a dipped beam that does not come on at all. A dip that fails counts as a major fault.
What the tester can write down
What the tester writes depends on how serious it is: major and minor.
| Wording on the certificate | Category | Recorded in 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Headlamp reflector or lens slightly defective | Minor | 568,374 |
| A headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than 1/2 not functioning in the case of LED | Major | 503,317 |
What you can do about it
A bulb is usually inexpensive, though on some newer cars reaching it means removing trim. Clouded plastic lenses can often be polished back rather than replaced, which costs far less.
Advisories
Testers also noted this 481,569 times in 2025 as an advisory, without failing the car for it. That is worth acting on before the next test comes round.
Nearby on the list
Every defect on the list, from 42,728,066 MOT tests in 2025.