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Generic Code Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Generic Code car check

Is the Generic Code reliable? We analysed 1,889 real MOT tests across 411 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 1,889 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
72.4%
Typical Mileage
9,748mi
Annual Mileage
1,335mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
12yrs

The Generic Code is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Generic Code.

Generic Code Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Generic Code. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Generic Code MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Generic Code to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

81.3%
2017
75.4%
2016
71.1%
2015
69.5%
2014

Generic Code Common Faults & Problems

These are the most common serious faults found on Generic Code models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.

Brake pad(s) less than 1.0 mm thick 59
Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 45
Valve stem seriously damaged 28

Generic Code Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Generic Code owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
428 mi/yr
Typical
1,335 mi/yr
Average
2,844 mi/yr
Heavy usage
2,944 mi/yr

Generic Code MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Generic Code year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2017 171 81.3% 4,271 8,224 12,522
2016 366 75.4% 4,782 8,316 12,578
2015 512 71.1% 5,476 9,829 15,116
2014 804 69.5% 5,526 10,667 16,844

How Long Does a Generic Code Last?

Based on 411 Generic Code vehicles on UK roads.

Average
6.3 years
Median
6.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
12 years

Generic Code Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Generic Code MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
9,748 mi
75th Percentile
15,130 mi
95th Percentile
29,044 mi
Max Recorded
107,033 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Generic Code

Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.

Best year
2017

81.3% MOT pass rate from 171 tests

Year to avoid
2014

69.5% MOT pass rate from 804 tests

The best year to buy a used Generic Code is 2017, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 81.3% across 171 tests. The 2014 model year has the lowest pass rate at 69.5% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Generic Code Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Generic Code THIS CAR 72.4% 1,889 9,748 mi 12 yrs
Generic Cracker 74.1% 1,572 8,008 mi 21 yrs
Generic Xor 73.5% 1,424 8,601 mi 19 yrs
Generic Trigger Sm 50 65.9% 870 8,782 mi 18 yrs
Audi A6 S Line Special ED TDI 84.9% 724 125,327 mi — yrs

Compared to the Generic Cracker (74.1% pass rate) and the Generic Xor (73.5% pass rate), the Generic Code trails behind on MOT reliability.

Found a Generic Code you like?

Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.

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Should you buy a used Generic Code?

The Generic Code has an overall MOT pass rate of 72.4% across 1,889 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.

On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is brake pad(s) less than 1.0 mm thick. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Generic Code with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.

A typical Generic Code owner drives around 1,335 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.

In terms of longevity, most Generic Code models stay on UK roads for around 12 years. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.

Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.

Generic Code — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Generic Code reliable?
Based on 1,889 MOT tests, the Generic Code has a 72.4% pass rate — about average for UK cars.
What are the common problems on a Generic Code?
The most common failure point is general wear and tear.
How many miles does a Generic Code do per year?
The typical Generic Code does around 1,335 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Generic Code last?
Most Generic Code models stay on UK roads for around 12 years based on our analysis of 411 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Generic Code?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.
What is the best year to buy a Generic Code?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Generic Code is 2017 with a 81.3% pass rate across 171 tests.