A damaged socket, missing earthing or an outdated consumer unit can turn an otherwise straightforward electrical check into an unsatisfactory report. If you are asking what fails an eicr inspection, the short answer is any defect that presents a danger now, could become dangerous, or cannot be properly assessed without further investigation.
An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is not designed to catch people out or force unnecessary upgrades. It is a structured inspection of the fixed wiring in a home, rental property or business premises. The aim is simple: identify whether the installation is safe for continued use and highlight work that needs attention.
What does it mean to fail an EICR?
An EICR does not technically use the words “pass” or “fail”. The overall outcome will be recorded as either satisfactory or unsatisfactory. An unsatisfactory result means that issues have been found which need to be investigated or rectified before the installation can be considered safe.
Electricians use observation codes to explain the seriousness of each issue. A C1 code means danger is present and urgent action is required. A C2 code means the issue is potentially dangerous and needs prompt remedial work. FI means further investigation is required because the inspector cannot confirm the condition of part of the installation.
Any C1, C2 or FI observation will normally result in an unsatisfactory EICR. A C3 observation, by contrast, is a recommendation for improvement. It does not by itself cause the report to be unsatisfactory.
For example, an older but sound consumer unit may be given a C3 recommendation because it does not have modern surge protection. That is different from a consumer unit with exposed live parts, overheating connections or no suitable RCD protection where it is needed. The condition and safety of the installation matter more than its age alone.
The faults that commonly fail an EICR inspection
Dangerous or damaged accessories
Cracked sockets, loose switches, broken light fittings and exposed cables are common reasons for a C1 or C2 observation. Damage can expose live parts, allow moisture to enter or leave connections vulnerable to overheating.
A socket that feels loose when a plug is removed may look like a small issue, but it can indicate damaged terminals or poor support within the wall box. In kitchens, bathrooms, garages and outdoor areas, the condition of accessories is especially important because moisture and heavy use increase the risk.
Missing or inadequate earthing and bonding
Earthing provides a route for fault current to operate protective devices quickly. Bonding helps reduce dangerous voltage differences between metal services, such as water and gas pipes, and the electrical installation.
If an installation has no effective main earthing connection, inadequate bonding, or poorly connected protective conductors, the consequences can be serious. Metalwork that should be safe to touch could become live during a fault. This is one of the most significant defects an EICR can uncover and will often lead to an unsatisfactory result.
Older properties in Plymouth, Devon and Cornwall can have electrical systems that have been altered over several decades. A previous upgrade may have improved one part of the installation while leaving earthing arrangements elsewhere unsuitable. This is why a proper inspection matters more than a quick visual check.
Missing or unsuitable RCD protection
Residual Current Devices, commonly called RCDs, are designed to disconnect power rapidly if electricity starts flowing where it should not, such as through a person or faulty appliance. They are particularly valuable for socket circuits, outdoor equipment, bathrooms and cables concealed in walls.
Not every older circuit automatically fails simply because it lacks an RCD. The inspector will assess the circuit, its location, the wiring method and the level of risk. However, missing RCD protection can result in a C2 where there is increased danger, particularly where cables may be damaged by drilling or where equipment is used outdoors.
An RCD that does not operate correctly when tested is more straightforward. If the protective device cannot do its job, remedial work is likely to be required.
Overheating, overloaded circuits and poor connections
Signs of heat damage around a consumer unit, switch, socket or cable connection should never be ignored. Scorch marks, melted insulation, discolouration and a burning smell can all point to loose terminals, overloaded circuits or unsuitable equipment.
Loose connections are a particular concern because they can generate heat without immediately tripping a fuse or circuit breaker. The installation may appear to work normally until the connection deteriorates further. An EICR includes testing and inspection intended to identify these hidden risks before they become an electrical fire.
Problems can also arise when extensions, loft conversions, electric showers, hot tubs, EV chargers or garden buildings have been added without checking whether the existing supply and consumer unit can safely support them.
Unsafe alterations and poor-quality previous work
Electrical work completed without suitable design, testing or certification can create defects that are not obvious to the occupier. Common examples include incorrect cable sizes, unsuitable junction boxes hidden in inaccessible spaces, circuits with mixed protective devices, cables without adequate mechanical protection and incorrectly connected conductors.
DIY alterations can be particularly difficult to assess. A new light fitting may look tidy, but the issue may sit above the ceiling or inside a wall where connections have been made incorrectly. If the inspector finds evidence that a circuit cannot be verified as safe, an FI observation may be recorded until further investigation is carried out.
Failed test results
An EICR is more than a visual inspection. Testing is carried out to check that circuits disconnect within the required time, insulation is in acceptable condition, polarity is correct and protective conductors are continuous.
Poor insulation resistance may indicate damaged cable insulation, moisture ingress, faulty accessories or wiring that has deteriorated with age. Incorrect polarity can mean a switch or protective device is connected in the wrong conductor, creating a shock risk even when something appears switched off. These results often lead to a C2 or FI, depending on the circumstances and what is needed to locate the fault.
Why an old installation does not automatically fail
A common concern is that an EICR will require every older property to be rewired to the latest edition of the Wiring Regulations. That is not how the process works.
The report assesses whether the installation is safe for continued service, not whether every part matches the specification for a brand-new installation. Wiring regulations change over time, and some newer protective measures may be recorded as improvements rather than urgent defects.
That said, age can increase the likelihood of damaged insulation, obsolete equipment, inadequate earthing and circuits that have not kept pace with modern electrical demand. A property with a 1970s consumer unit and several later extensions may need more than a minor repair, but the correct outcome depends on the actual condition found during inspection.
What happens after an unsatisfactory EICR?
The report should clearly identify each observation, its code, the circuit affected and the reason it has been recorded. This gives you a proper basis for deciding what work is needed. The next step is usually a quotation for remedial work, which may range from replacing a damaged socket to upgrading a consumer unit, improving earthing arrangements or carrying out further fault finding.
For landlords in England, an EICR is required at least every five years for most private rented homes, or sooner if the report recommends it. Where remedial work or further investigation is identified, it must be completed within the timescale stated on the report, which is often 28 days. Landlords should keep clear records of the work completed and provide the required documentation to tenants and the local authority when requested.
For homeowners and businesses, there may not be the same fixed legal timetable in every situation, but an unsatisfactory report should still be treated seriously. C1 and C2 observations are safety matters, not paperwork. A competent electrician can explain the options, prioritise urgent work and avoid replacing sound parts of an installation unnecessarily.
Preparing for an EICR without hiding problems
You do not need to carry out electrical repairs before an inspection. In fact, covering up faults or making rushed alterations can make matters worse. The most useful preparation is practical: ensure the consumer unit is accessible, make the electrician aware of any known issues, and arrange access to garages, loft spaces, outbuildings and tenant areas where circuits may be located.
Expect the power to be switched off for parts of the visit while testing takes place. In a business, this may need to be planned around trading hours, IT equipment, refrigeration, alarms or machinery. A good inspection is thorough but proportionate, with disruption managed sensibly around the property and its use.
If an EICR identifies faults, focus first on the code, the risk and the evidence provided rather than assuming the whole installation needs replacing. Goodwin Electrical can inspect, explain the findings in plain language and carry out the necessary rectification work to help make your property safe and compliant.