Rolls Royce Dawn MOT pass rate and common problems
97.3% of 1,899 Rolls Royce Dawn MOT tests pass.
The Dawn has a pass rate of 97.3%, a little higher than the average across all Rolls Royce models (94.7%).
The Rolls Royce Dawn passes its MOT 97.3% of the time — well above the national average for cars, which sits at 79.2%.
Own this Rolls Royce Dawn?
This is the average across every Rolls Royce Dawn in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Rolls Royce’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate stays relatively stable with age: 100.0% at 0–3 years versus 98.6% at 6–10 years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 100.0% | 35 | 17,101 miles |
| 3–6 years | 94.5% | 603 | 13,833 miles |
| 6–10 years | 98.6% | 1,259 | 22,454 miles |
| 10–15 years | too few tests (2) | 2 | no reading |
| 15+ years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Rolls Royce Dawn
The most common reason the Rolls Royce Dawn fails its MOT is tyres — present in 45.1% of failed tests, most often logged as "Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 45.1% | Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords |
| Identification of the vehicle | 29.4% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
| Brakes | 29.4% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 5.9% | Projected beam image is obviously incorrect |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 2.0% | Warning lamp indicates a fault |
Buying a used Rolls Royce Dawn: what to check
These checks follow the Rolls Royce Dawn’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the Rolls Royce Dawn comes between 0–3 years and 3–6 years old, from 100.0% to 94.5%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
1. Tyres
Recorded in 45.1% of failed Rolls Royce Dawn MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 2.5% of tests at 3–6 years failed on tyres.
Check tread depth across the whole width of every tyre, including the inner edge. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems. Look for cuts and bulges in the sidewalls.
2. Number plates and VIN
Recorded in 29.4% of failed Rolls Royce Dawn MOTs.
Match the registration plates and the VIN (usually at the base of the windscreen and on a door pillar) to the V5C.
3. Brakes
Recorded in 29.4% of failed Rolls Royce Dawn MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 1.8% of tests at 3–6 years failed on brakes.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
4. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 5.9% of failed Rolls Royce Dawn MOTs.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
5. Seat belts and airbags
Recorded in 2.0% of failed Rolls Royce Dawn MOTs.
Pull every seat belt out fully and let it retract. Check the buckles latch and release, and that the airbag warning light goes out after starting.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Rolls Royce service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Rolls Royce models
- Rolls Royce Ghost — 97.4% pass rate
- Rolls Royce Wraith — 98.6% pass rate
- Rolls Royce Silver Spirit — 86.2% pass rate
- Rolls Royce Phantom — 98.0% pass rate
- Rolls Royce Cullinan — 99.6% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Rolls Royce Dawn?
- 97.3% of Rolls Royce Dawn MOT tests pass, based on 1,899 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Rolls Royce Dawn?
- The most common reason the Rolls Royce Dawn fails its MOT is tyres — present in 45.1% of failed tests, most often logged as "Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords".
- What are the common problems with the Rolls Royce Dawn?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Rolls Royce Dawn are tyres; number plates and vin; brakes. Rare on young cars, but 2.5% of tests at 3–6 years failed on tyres.
- What should I check when buying a used Rolls Royce Dawn?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: tyres; number plates and vin; brakes; lights and electrics; seat belts and airbags. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Rolls Royce Dawn's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Rolls Royce service history guide for how to check and keep one.