MOT Failure Rates by Car Model (2026)
Failure rate rankings from 55,795,055 MOT tests carried out in 2024. Across these cars, 17% of tests ended in a fail.
Data: DVSA MOT tests carried out in 2024, retests included. Only cars with 1,000+ tests that were at least three years old when tested; vans, motorhomes and taxis are left out. Sports, performance and luxury cars (such as Ferraris, Bentleys, the Porsche 911 and BMW M cars) are left out of the lowest failure rate lists and the brand table because they are driven far less than everyday cars: in this data they had covered about 33% fewer miles than other cars of the same age. They are still in the full ranking.
36%
Worst failure rate
2%
Best failure rate
17%
Average fail rate
5557
Models ranked
Every year, millions of cars take the MOT test. Some sail through. Others fail repeatedly. This page ranks every car model in our data with at least 1,000 MOT tests by failure rate, giving you the full picture of which cars are built to last and which will cost you in repair bills.
Most MOT guides give generic advice about checking tyres and lights. We show you the actual failure rates for specific makes, models, and years, based on DVSA test data. Whether you are buying a used car or just curious about how your car compares, these rankings tell the real story.
Bear in mind that the MOT does not test for outstanding safety recalls. A car can pass its MOT and still have an unrepaired manufacturer recall, so it is worth running a car recall check as well, particularly on a used car you are about to buy.
For every postcode area and car brand ranked on DVSA's 2025 MOT data, see our MOT failure rates 2025 study. It uses the newer 2025 data and counts only the first attempt at each MOT, so its figures differ from the model rankings on this page.
Buying an electric car? Our electric car MOT failure rates study compares EVs with petrol, diesel and hybrid cars at their first MOT in 2025.
On This Page
Check Any Car's MOT Record
Enter a reg plate to see the full MOT history, failure details, and health score for a specific car.
20 Cars Most Likely to Fail Their MOT
Highest failure rates. These models fail more often than any others.
| # | Car | Fail Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chevrolet Matiz(2006) | 36% | |
| 2 | Ford Ka(2008) | 35% | |
| 3 | Ford Ka(2006) | 35% | |
| 4 | Ford Galaxy(2004) | 35% | |
| 5 | Ford Ka(2002) | 35% | |
| 6 | Chevrolet Aveo(2008) | 35% | |
| 7 | Mazda 5(2006) | 35% | |
| 8 | Mazda Bongo(2007) | 35% | |
| 9 | Chevrolet Kalos(2008) | 35% | |
| 10 | Chevrolet Lacetti(2009) | 35% | |
| 11 | Nissan Qashqai(2009) | 34% | |
| 12 | Nissan Qashqai(2008) | 34% | |
| 13 | Ford Ka(2007) | 34% | |
| 14 | Fiat Panda(2004) | 34% | |
| 15 | Ford Ka(2005) | 34% | |
| 16 | Ford Focus(1999) | 34% | |
| 17 | Chevrolet Matiz(2007) | 34% | |
| 18 | Ford Ka(2004) | 34% | |
| 19 | Vauxhall Combo(2003) | 34% | |
| 20 | Mazda 5(2007) | 34% |
20 Cars Most Likely to Pass Their MOT
Lowest failure rates among everyday cars (low-mileage sports, performance and luxury cars are left out). Very few MOT tests on these cars ended in a fail.
| # | Car | Fail Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suzuki Ignis SZ3 Dualjet MHEV(2021) | 2% | |
| 2 | Lexus NX(2021) | 2% | |
| 3 | Honda Jazz Crosstar Ex I-MMD CVT(2021) | 2% | |
| 4 | Lexus RX(2021) | 2% | |
| 5 | Suzuki Ignis SZ-T Dualjet MHEV(2021) | 2% | |
| 6 | Lexus UX(2021) | 3% | |
| 7 | Lexus UX(2020) | 3% | |
| 8 | Lexus RX(2020) | 3% | |
| 9 | Lexus RX(2018) | 3% | |
| 10 | Honda Jazz Crosstar Ex I-MMD CVT(2020) | 3% | |
| 11 | Lexus ES(2021) | 3% | |
| 12 | Suzuki Vitara SZ-T Boosterjet MHEV A(2021) | 3% | |
| 13 | Toyota Yaris Cross Design HEV Auto(2021) | 3% | |
| 14 | Honda Civic SR VTEC(2021) | 3% | |
| 15 | Kia Stonic GT-Line S Isg MHEV(2021) | 3% | |
| 16 | Lexus ES(2019) | 3% | |
| 17 | Land Rover Range Rover Westmnstr D MHEV A(2021) | 3% | |
| 18 | Mazda CX-30 Sport Lux MHEV Auto(2021) | 3% | |
| 19 | Jeep Wrangler(2020) | 3% | |
| 20 | Volvo XC60 Momentum B5 MHEV Auto(2021) | 3% |
MOT Failure Rates by Car Brand
Average failure rate per manufacturer, weighted by test volume. Only brands with 5,000+ tests; specialist sports and luxury brands (Ferrari, Bentley, Aston Martin and others) are left out.
| # | Brand | Avg Fail Rate | Total Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cupra | 6% | 9,045 |
| 2 | Porsche | 7% | 419,710 |
| 3 | Lexus | 9% | 241,021 |
| 4 | Polestar | 9% | 6,141 |
| 5 | Tesla | 11% | 160,669 |
| 6 | BMW | 13% | 3,781,648 |
| 7 | Land Rover | 13% | 2,145,636 |
| 8 | Jaguar | 13% | 742,327 |
| 9 | MG | 13% | 162,272 |
| 10 | Abarth | 13% | 56,583 |
| 11 | Infiniti | 13% | 10,469 |
| 12 | Audi | 14% | 3,380,295 |
| 13 | Mercedes | 14% | 3,193,903 |
| 14 | MINI | 14% | 1,512,804 |
| 15 | Toyota | 15% | 2,705,875 |
| 16 | Jeep | 15% | 92,089 |
| 17 | Skoda | 16% | 1,283,409 |
| 18 | SEAT | 16% | 988,037 |
| 19 | Volkswagen | 17% | 5,006,173 |
| 20 | Kia | 17% | 1,591,538 |
| 21 | Honda | 17% | 1,580,337 |
| 22 | Hyundai | 17% | 1,485,712 |
| 23 | Volvo | 17% | 997,031 |
| 24 | Suzuki | 17% | 677,260 |
| 25 | Smart (MCC) | 17% | 123,988 |
| 26 | Subaru | 17% | 66,573 |
| 27 | Mazda | 18% | 884,803 |
| 28 | Mitsubishi | 18% | 486,856 |
| 29 | Dacia | 18% | 309,861 |
| 30 | DS | 18% | 76,483 |
| 31 | Ford | 19% | 6,760,716 |
| 32 | Isuzu | 19% | 59,405 |
| 33 | Nissan | 20% | 2,821,005 |
| 34 | Alfa Romeo | 20% | 110,694 |
| 35 | SsangYong | 20% | 27,938 |
| 36 | Vauxhall | 21% | 4,845,766 |
| 37 | Peugeot | 21% | 2,270,214 |
| 38 | Citroen | 22% | 1,641,039 |
| 39 | Fiat | 22% | 1,154,869 |
| 40 | Chrysler-Jeep | 22% | 5,684 |
| 41 | Renault | 24% | 1,548,068 |
| 42 | Saab | 24% | 82,091 |
| 43 | Rover | 24% | 44,205 |
| 44 | Chrysler | 25% | 13,218 |
| 45 | Daihatsu | 26% | 14,298 |
| 46 | Chevrolet | 29% | 96,311 |
| 47 | Talbot | 31% | 10,747 |
MOT Failure Rates by Age
How do failure rates change as cars get older? These rankings show the best and worst performers at key age milestones.
Most Reliable Cars at 3 Years Old
2020-2021 cars, 3-4 years old when tested in 2024, at their first or second MOT. Which ones pass?
| # | Car | Fail Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suzuki Ignis SZ3 Dualjet MHEV(2021) | 2% | |
| 2 | Lexus NX(2021) | 2% | |
| 3 | Honda Jazz Crosstar Ex I-MMD CVT(2021) | 2% | |
| 4 | Lexus RX(2021) | 2% | |
| 5 | Suzuki Ignis SZ-T Dualjet MHEV(2021) | 2% | |
| 6 | Lexus UX(2021) | 3% | |
| 7 | Lexus UX(2020) | 3% | |
| 8 | Lexus RX(2020) | 3% | |
| 9 | Honda Jazz Crosstar Ex I-MMD CVT(2020) | 3% | |
| 10 | Lexus ES(2021) | 3% | |
| 11 | Suzuki Vitara SZ-T Boosterjet MHEV A(2021) | 3% | |
| 12 | Toyota Yaris Cross Design HEV Auto(2021) | 3% | |
| 13 | Honda Civic SR VTEC(2021) | 3% | |
| 14 | Kia Stonic GT-Line S Isg MHEV(2021) | 3% | |
| 15 | Land Rover Range Rover Westmnstr D MHEV A(2021) | 3% |
Most Reliable Cars at 5 Years Old
2018-2020 cars, 4-6 years old when tested in 2024, the used car sweet spot. Reliability starts to diverge here.
| # | Car | Fail Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lexus UX(2020) | 3% | |
| 2 | Lexus RX(2020) | 3% | |
| 3 | Lexus RX(2018) | 3% | |
| 4 | Honda Jazz Crosstar Ex I-MMD CVT(2020) | 3% | |
| 5 | Lexus ES(2019) | 3% | |
| 6 | Jeep Wrangler(2020) | 3% | |
| 7 | Porsche Macan(2019) | 3% | |
| 8 | Porsche Macan(2020) | 3% | |
| 9 | Lexus RX(2019) | 3% | |
| 10 | Audi Q3 Sport 35 TFSI MHEV S-A(2020) | 3% | |
| 11 | Jaguar I-Pace(2020) | 4% | |
| 12 | Honda CR-V(2019) | 4% | |
| 13 | Honda CR-V(2020) | 4% | |
| 14 | Honda HR-V(2020) | 4% | |
| 15 | Porsche Cayenne(2020) | 4% |
Most Reliable Cars at 10 Years Old
2013-2015 cars, 9-11 years old when tested in 2024, where only the best-built cars keep passing.
| # | Car | Fail Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Honda Fit(2013) | 4% | |
| 2 | Honda Fit(2014) | 4% | |
| 3 | Toyota Vitz(2013) | 4% | |
| 4 | Nissan Serena(2013) | 5% | |
| 5 | Porsche Panamera(2015) | 6% | |
| 6 | Audi A8(2014) | 6% | |
| 7 | Audi A8(2015) | 6% | |
| 8 | Porsche Cayenne(2015) | 7% | |
| 9 | Mercedes GLE(2015) | 7% | |
| 10 | Jaguar XK(2014) | 7% | |
| 11 | Lexus NX(2014) | 7% | |
| 12 | Audi SQ5(2014) | 7% | |
| 13 | Lexus GS(2013) | 7% | |
| 14 | Lexus NX(2015) | 7% | |
| 15 | Mercedes S-Class(2014) | 7% |
Worst Cars at 3 Years Old
2020-2021 cars, 3-4 years old when tested in 2024. Failing this young is a bad sign.
| # | Car | Fail Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nissan Elgrand(2020) | 25% | |
| 2 | Nissan Elgrand(2021) | 22% | |
| 3 | SsangYong Musso(2021) | 22% | |
| 4 | Fiat Doblo(2021) | 20% | |
| 5 | Fiat Doblo(2020) | 19% | |
| 6 | Toyota Estima(2020) | 19% | |
| 7 | Nissan NV250 Acenta Dci(2021) | 18% | |
| 8 | Fiat Doblo 16V Tecnico Maxi Mtjt Ii(2021) | 18% | |
| 9 | Vauxhall Combo(2020) | 17% | |
| 10 | Citroen Berlingo 1000 Driver Bluehdi(2021) | 17% |
Worst Cars at 10 Years Old
2013-2015 cars, 9-11 years old when tested in 2024. The models that struggle most at this age.
| # | Car | Fail Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Renault Kangoo(2013) | 30% | |
| 2 | Renault Megane(2014) | 29% | |
| 3 | Renault Kangoo(2014) | 29% | |
| 4 | Peugeot 5008(2013) | 29% | |
| 5 | Renault G(2014) | 29% | |
| 6 | Renault Grand Scenic(2013) | 29% | |
| 7 | Renault Megane(2013) | 28% | |
| 8 | Chevrolet Aveo(2013) | 28% | |
| 9 | Nissan Leaf(2013) | 28% | |
| 10 | SsangYong Korando(2013) | 28% |
What About Your Car?
These are model averages. Your specific car might be better or worse. Check its individual MOT record for free.
Full MOT Failure Rate Rankings
All 5,557 models ranked from highest to lowest failure rate, 50 to a page. Search for any make, model or year, or download the whole ranking as a spreadsheet.
Showing 1 to 50 of 5,557
What Causes MOT Failures?
In DVSA's published MOT statistics, lighting, suspension, brakes and tyres are the most common reasons for failure.
Lighting and Signalling
Blown bulbs, misaligned headlights, and faulty indicators. The most common reason for failure, and usually the cheapest to fix. A pre-MOT check of all lights takes two minutes.
Suspension
Worn shock absorbers, damaged springs, and deteriorated bushes. More common in older, heavier cars. Repairs can range from £100 to £500+ depending on the component.
Brakes
Worn brake pads and discs, corroded brake lines, and binding calipers. Safety-critical, so never ignored by testers. Budget £150-£400 for a typical brake repair.
Tyres
Below minimum tread depth (1.6mm), damage to sidewalls, or incorrect tyre sizes. Easy to check yourself. A new set of budget tyres costs £200-£300.
Emissions
Particularly affects older diesel cars. A failed emissions test can mean anything from a faulty sensor (£100) to a catalytic converter replacement (£500+).
Bodywork and Corrosion
Structural rust near mounting points, sharp edges from damage, and excessive corrosion. More common in older cars and those from coastal or heavily salted road areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
What car has the highest MOT failure rate?
In our data, the Chevrolet Matiz (2006) has the highest MOT failure rate: 36% of its 2,329 MOT tests ended in a fail.
What car has the lowest MOT failure rate?
In our data, the Suzuki Ignis SZ3 Dualjet MHEV (2021) has the lowest MOT failure rate of any everyday car: 2% of its 1,256 MOT tests ended in a fail. 4 other cars are level on 2%. Sports, performance and luxury cars (such as Ferraris, Bentleys, the Porsche 911 and BMW M cars) are left out of the lowest failure rate lists and the brand table because they are driven far less than everyday cars: in this data they had covered about 33% fewer miles than other cars of the same age. They are still in the full ranking. Failure rates rise with age, so compare cars of a similar age.
What is the average MOT failure rate?
Across the cars ranked on this page, 17% of MOT tests ended in a fail (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). Failure rates rise with age: 7% of tests on 3-year-old cars ended in a fail, against 18% for 10-year-old cars. Our figure includes retests, so it is lower than DVSA's published initial failure rate, which was 28.1% for cars and other class 3 and 4 vehicles in 2024 to 2025.
What are the most common reasons for MOT failure?
In DVSA's published MOT statistics, lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment are the most common reason for failure, followed by suspension, brakes and tyres. Older diesel cars are particularly prone to emissions failures.
Which car brand is most reliable for MOTs?
In the brand table on this page (brands with 5,000+ tests, leaving out specialist sports and luxury brands such as Ferrari, Bentley and Aston Martin, whose cars cover low mileages), Cupra has the lowest average failure rate at 6%. Newer brands whose cars are all fairly young do well in this table, so it is fairer to compare brands that make similar cars.
How can I reduce my chance of MOT failure?
The best defence is buying a reliable car in the first place. Beyond that: check all lights before the test, maintain correct tyre pressures and tread depth, keep up with brake servicing, and address any warning lights promptly. A pre-MOT inspection at your garage can catch issues before the test.
Does a high failure rate mean a car is bad?
A high failure rate means that car is more likely to develop faults that fail the MOT. It does not necessarily mean the car is unsafe between tests, but it does mean higher repair costs and more inconvenience. For used car buyers, it is one of the most practical indicators of long-term reliability.
Car history check for £4.99
Finance, stolen and write-off checks
Outstanding finance with the lender's details, stolen, write-off and keeper changes. One payment, no subscription.
Comparing checks first? See the cheapest car check in the UK and the best car check providers compared.
Check Any Car Free
Full MOT history, health score, mileage verification, and running cost estimate. Completely free, no signup required.
Reliability Rankings
Full reliability rankings by pass rate
Cheapest Cars to Run
Running cost rankings including fuel and tax
Best Cars Under £5,000
Budget buys ranked by reliability
Methodology
Failure rates are calculated from DVSA's anonymised results for MOT tests carried out in 2024. The failure rate is the percentage of all MOT tests in the data that ended in a fail, retests included; a test where defects were fixed at the test station counts as a pass. Only cars with 1,000+ tests that were at least three years old when tested are included, and vans, motorhomes and taxis are left out. Sports, performance and luxury cars are also left out of the lowest failure rate lists and the brand table, for the reason given at the top of the page. The typical issue shown for each car is estimated from its age, fuel type and engine size; it is not counted from defect records. The most common failure reasons come from DVSA's published MOT statistics. Data sourced under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The full ranking is free to download as a CSV and reuse with a link to this page as the source.