An EICR doesn't technically "fail" — it receives an Unsatisfactory rating. Any C1 or C2 codes must be remedied before the installation is re-assessed as Satisfactory.
🏠Homeowner view
An EICR can come back as Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory. If it's Unsatisfactory, the electrician has found fault codes: C1 means danger present — immediate action required. C2 means potentially dangerous — urgent remedial action required. C3 means improvement recommended but not urgent. If you receive C1 or C2 codes, these must be fixed. For landlords, the law requires remedial works to be completed within 28 days (or sooner if the inspector specifies). For homeowners, there's no legal deadline, but C1 and C2 faults are genuine safety risks you should address promptly. Once the remedial work is done, your electrician will either re-inspect the specific items and update the report, or issue a new EICR. C3 codes are advisory — you're not obliged to act on them, but they represent best-practice improvements you should consider.