Why did my EICR fail? What unsatisfactory means
An EICR doesn’t “fail” like an MOT — it comes back unsatisfactory, which means the inspector found at least one C1, C2 or FI observation. It’s not a mark against you; it’s a list of what needs putting right, each item coded by how serious it is.
What “unsatisfactory” actually means
The report classifies every issue: C1 (danger present), C2 (potentially dangerous), C3 (improvement recommended) or FI (further investigation required). Any C1, C2 or FI makes the overall report unsatisfactory. A report with only C3s is satisfactory — those are advisory, not failures. So “it failed” almost always means a C1, C2 or FI was found.
The usual reasons
- No RCD protection on circuits that need it — the single most common cause on older installations. Typically C2.
- Missing main protective bonding to gas or water services. Usually C2.
- Damaged accessories or the consumer unit — cracked faceplates, exposed or reachable live parts. C2, or C1 if live parts are accessible now.
- No earth (CPC) where the installation needs one — common on old lighting circuits with metal fittings. C2.
- Signs of overheating or DIY alterations nobody can account for. C2, or FI where the inspector can’t determine the condition.
What happens next
The coded items get put right by a qualified electrician, and the installation is re-checked. For a rented property in England the remedial work must be done within 28 days (or sooner if the report says so), with written confirmation. For an owner-occupier it’s a strong recommendation rather than a legal deadline — but the danger is the same regardless of who owns the building.
Is an unsatisfactory report a bad electrician’s fault?
No — more often the opposite. A thorough inspector finding real faults on a tired installation is doing exactly their job. Be more wary of the bargain EICR that finds nothing wrong with a decades-old board: that’s not a pass, it’s a signature on a report that didn’t look hard enough.