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MOT failure item explained

“Brakes imbalanced across an axle”

Recorded on 684 of the 25,257 cars checked on this site. It is a failure item.

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Cars with it
684
of 25,257 checked
Share of cars
2.7%
at least once
Recorded as
Fail
87% of 770 visits
Back next time
2.8%
of 636 follow-up visits

What it means

During the roller brake test each wheel's braking effort is measured. The two wheels on an axle must brake within a set margin of each other: a wheel giving less than 70% of the other's effort fails, and less than 50% on the steered axle is recorded as dangerous. This entry means one wheel fell outside that margin.

It is a failure item. A car with this imbalance can pull to one side under braking.

How it shows up in the records

Fail 87%Fail, marked dangerous 12%Fail, put right during the test 0.3%
2.8% came back
The same entry, on the same part of the car, was recorded again at the next test in 2.8% of cases.
58,818 miles
Median recorded mileage when it first appeared, on cars a median of 8 years old. From the 63 cars whose whole MOT history is recent enough to compare.

Share of cars with this entry, by year of manufacture

16%1971–736.1%1980–824.7%1983–856.1%1986–889.5%1989–918.7%1992–948.9%1995–975.7%1998–005.9%2001–036.7%2004–065.7%2007–094.1%2010–122.9%2013–150.7%2016–180.1%2019–210.1%2022–24

Models where it is recorded most

ModelCars with itShareSame-age cars
Lotus Elan21 of 8824%9.6%
Mazda MX-513 of 8415%5.1%
Hyundai i1011 of 1139.7%2.3%
Renault Clio10 of 1248.1%2.6%
Vauxhall Corsa25 of 3646.9%2.1%
Suzuki Swift12 of 1976.1%2.0%
Toyota Aygo10 of 1606.3%2.2%
Fiat 50011 of 1766.3%2.3%

Models with 20 or more cars checked here. “Same-age cars” is the share among all checked cars built in the same years, so an older model is compared with older cars.

What to check before you buy

  • Confirm the pass that followed the failed test, and ask what was replaced.
  • On a test drive, where it is safe and the road behind is clear, brake firmly from speed. The car should stop in a straight line without pulling.
  • Look at the discs on both sides of the axle. One that is rustier or more scored than the other is worth raising with the seller.
  • Read the later MOT tests for brake entries.

Cars checked here with this entry

Other brakes entries explained

Brake pad(s) wearing thinBrake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakenedBrake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thickBrake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other materialParking brake efficiency below requirementsBrake disc worn, but not excessivelyService brake binding but not excessivelyService brake excessively bindingService brake fluctuating but not excessively

Checking a car with this on its MOT?

Repair costs depend on the car, so this page does not quote one. Enter the plate and the free report estimates them for that car, alongside every test and advisory on its record.

Check a car’s MOT history

Counts are of cars checked on this site, from official public records. Updated 22 Sept 2026 · figures as of 4 Oct 2026. All MOT entries explained.