diff --git a/tests/orchestration/test_abri_log_job_orchestrator.py b/tests/orchestration/test_abri_log_job_orchestrator.py
index 6bab8181a..689dc99d9 100644
--- a/tests/orchestration/test_abri_log_job_orchestrator.py
+++ b/tests/orchestration/test_abri_log_job_orchestrator.py
@@ -5,11 +5,13 @@ from typing import List, Tuple
 from unittest.mock import MagicMock, patch
 
 import pytest
+import requests
 from hubspot.crm.deals import SimplePublicObjectInput  # type: ignore[reportMissingTypeStubs]
 
 from domain.abri.models import AbriRequestRejected, PlaceRef
 from infrastructure.abri.abri_client import AbriClient
 from infrastructure.abri.config import AbriConfig
+from infrastructure.abri.errors import AbriResponseParseError, AbriTransportError
 from infrastructure.hubspot.deal_properties_client import HubspotDealPropertiesClient
 from orchestration.abri_log_job_orchestrator import (
     AbriLogJobOrchestrator,
@@ -174,3 +176,48 @@ def test_run_returns_the_openhousing_rejection_verbatim_and_records_nothing(
     assert result.message.startswith("No property was found with UPRN/place_ref")
     assert sdk_client.mock_calls == []
     assert deal_database.recorded_job_nos == []
+
+
+# --- ambiguous responses are retriable failures, never success or rejection ---
+
+
+@pytest.mark.parametrize(
+    "body",
+    [
+        b"not xml at all <<<",
+        b"<Root></Root>",  # no Jobs/Job_logged element
+        b"<Root><Jobs><Job_logged>AD0226519</Job_logged></Jobs></Root>",  # no attrs
+        b"<unexpected />",
+    ],
+)
+def test_run_raises_a_retriable_parse_error_on_an_unexpectedly_shaped_response(
+    orchestrator: AbriLogJobOrchestrator,
+    mock_session: MagicMock,
+    sdk_client: MagicMock,
+    deal_database: FakeDealDatabase,
+    body: bytes,
+) -> None:
+    # Arrange
+    mock_session.post.return_value.content = body
+
+    # Act / Assert
+    with pytest.raises(AbriResponseParseError):
+        orchestrator.run(BOOKING)
+    assert sdk_client.mock_calls == []
+    assert deal_database.recorded_job_nos == []
+
+
+def test_run_raises_a_transport_error_when_the_relay_is_unreachable(
+    orchestrator: AbriLogJobOrchestrator,
+    mock_session: MagicMock,
+    sdk_client: MagicMock,
+    deal_database: FakeDealDatabase,
+) -> None:
+    # Arrange
+    mock_session.post.side_effect = requests.ConnectionError("connection refused")
+
+    # Act / Assert
+    with pytest.raises(AbriTransportError):
+        orchestrator.run(BOOKING)
+    assert sdk_client.mock_calls == []
+    assert deal_database.recorded_job_nos == []