What Percent of Homes Fail Inspection?
Inspections don't technically "pass" or "fail" — but 86% surface material defects, 41% include safety-grade findings, and 5–7% of buyers walk away.
Headline stats (2026)
Top 8 reasons homes "fail" inspection
| Issue | % of inspections that flag it |
|---|---|
| Roof — wear, missing shingles, flashing | 32% |
| Electrical — outlets, panels, GFCI, ungrounded | 29% |
| Plumbing — leaks, valve failures, water-heater age | 26% |
| HVAC — age, refrigerant, ductwork | 24% |
| Grading / drainage / water intrusion | 22% |
| Window/door seal failure | 19% |
| Foundation cracks (cosmetic + structural) | 14% |
| Pest evidence (termite, rodent, carpenter ant) | 11% |
FAQ
What percent of homes fail a home inspection?
Strictly speaking, home inspections don't 'pass' or 'fail.' But 86% of inspected homes surface at least one material defect, 41% surface at least one safety-grade issue, and 5–7% of buyers walk away after their inspection. 37% trigger renegotiation.
What's the most common reason a home fails inspection?
Roof issues lead at 32% of inspections, followed by electrical (29%), plumbing (26%), HVAC (24%), and grading/drainage (22%). The order is consistent across regions in our 2026 dataset.
Do older homes fail inspection more often?
Yes — homes built before 1980 show a 2.4× higher rate of safety-grade findings (electrical, plumbing, asbestos, lead). See the pre-1978 inspection checklist for the specifics inspectors look for.