Cars first registered 2012–2015, at their MOT in the year they turned 10
DVSA MOT tests 2022–2025 · 7,880,798 MOT tests · Updated
At 10 years, the Lexus RX has the lowest MOT fail rate at the same mileage and test year: 13.9% adjusted, against 30.0% for all cars (6,326 MOT tests) [1].
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These are cars first registered 2012–2015; later generations may do better or worse. Check the reg first.
Fail rates describe the model, not one car.
This is DVSA MOT data, not road tests, owner surveys or breakdown records, and nobody paid to be included. Each model is compared with all cars of the same age and mileage, tested in the same year. "Most reliable" in our titles is measured as MOT failure rate at the same age and mileage, not breakdowns.
Only pairs whose interval stays above 1.2 at age 10 and that point the same way at 9 and 11 are shown.
Models with at least 5,000 MOT tests at 10 (one test per car). Adjusted = the model's fail rate if it had the average car's mileage and test year (all cars at 10: 30.0%). (hybrid): half or more hybrid; †: widely used for private hire; *: fewer than 2,000 MOT tests at 9 or 11, no claim made.
| #95% range | Model | MOT testsone per car | Raw | Adjusted (95% CI) | Against all cars at 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11–2 | Lexus RX MOT fail rate (hybrid)RX 450h hybrid | 6,326 | 14.7% | 13.9%13.1%–14.7% | 54% fewer fails |
| 21–5 | Lexus IS MOT fail rate (hybrid)mostly IS 300h hybrid | 8,052 | 15.1% | 14.9%14.1%–15.7% | 50% fewer fails |
| 32–5 | Porsche Cayenne MOT fail rate | 8,070 | 16.2% | 15.1%14.4%–15.9% | 50% fewer fails |
| 42–6 | Audi Q7 MOT fail rate | 11,500 | 16.9% | 15.3%14.7%–15.9% | 49% fewer fails |
| 53–7 | Audi A7 MOT fail rate | 6,965 | 17.5% | 15.9%15.1%–16.7% | 47% fewer fails |
| 63–8 | Mercedes-Benz S-Class MOT fail rateW221, and W222 from 2013 | 5,824 | 16.3% | 15.9%15.0%–16.9% | 47% fewer fails |
| 75–8 | BMW X5 MOT fail rateE70, and F15 from late 2013 | 18,914 | 17.7% | 16.3%15.8%–16.8% | 46% fewer fails |
| 87–10 | Lexus CT MOT fail rate (hybrid)CT 200h hybrid | 14,621 | 17.5% | 17.0%16.4%–17.6% | 43% fewer fails |
| 98–12 | Audi Q5 MOT fail rate | 28,854 | 18.9% | 17.5%17.1%–17.9% | 42% fewer fails |
| 108–11 | Audi A6 MOT fail rate | 39,691 | 19.7% | 17.5%17.2%–17.9% | 42% fewer fails |
| 118–11 | Honda CR-V MOT fail rate | 54,480 | 18.3% | 17.5%17.2%–17.9% | 41% fewer fails |
| 1211–14 | Range Rover MOT fail rate | 24,911 | 19.7% | 18.1%17.6%–18.6% | 40% fewer fails |
| 1312–15 | Mercedes-Benz M-Class MOT fail rate | 13,511 | 19.9% | 18.4%17.8%–19.0% | 39% fewer fails |
| 1413–15 | BMW 5 Series MOT fail rate | 60,056 | 20.8% | 18.6%18.3%–18.9% | 38% fewer fails |
| 1513–16 | Range Rover Sport MOT fail rate | 30,839 | 20.1% | 18.6%18.2%–19.1% | 38% fewer fails |
| 1616–19 | Toyota RAV4 MOT fail rate | 20,422 | 20.4% | 19.5%18.9%–20.0% | 35% fewer fails |
| 1715–24 | MINI Paceman MOT fail rate | 6,155 | 18.7% | 19.7%18.7%–20.7% | 34% fewer fails |
| 1817–20 | Volkswagen Golf 2013-15 (mostly Golf VII) MOT fail rate | 181,697 | 20.4% | 19.9%19.7%–20.1% | 34% fewer fails |
| 1917–23 | BMW 4 Series MOT fail rate | 30,757 | 20.3% | 20.1%19.7%–20.5% | 33% fewer fails |
| 2018–24 | MINI Countryman MOT fail rate | 30,928 | 19.7% | 20.3%19.8%–20.7% | 32% fewer fails |
Ranks 21 to 170, adjusted fail rate at 10. The CSV below has every column.
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17.5% adjusted (95% CI 17.2% to 17.9%), 18.3% raw, 54,480 MOT tests at 10 (one per car); median 78,800 miles.
What it fails on: body, chassis and structure (incl. drive-shaft CV boots and exhaust mounts) 79% less often; emissions and leaks 78% less often; suspension 62% less often than all cars at the same mileage.
18.6% adjusted (95% CI 18.3% to 18.9%), 20.8% raw, 60,056 MOT tests at 10 (one per car); median 104,200 miles.
What it fails on: body, chassis and structure (incl. drive-shaft CV boots and exhaust mounts) 87% less often; emissions and leaks 73% less often; steering 65% less often than all cars at the same mileage.
19.9% adjusted (95% CI 19.7% to 20.1%), 20.4% raw, 181,697 MOT tests at 10 (one per car); median 81,700 miles.
What it fails on: steering 90% less often; body, chassis and structure (incl. drive-shaft CV boots and exhaust mounts) 73% less often; lights and electrics 57% less often than all cars at the same mileage.
Stand-out items (per 100 MOT tests, not adjusted for mileage): shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak: 2.4 against 0.9 for all class 4 vehicles at 10 (cars and vans).
20.4% adjusted (95% CI 20.1% to 20.7%), 21.7% raw, 58,369 MOT tests at 10 (one per car); median 82,300 miles.
What it fails on: steering 89% less often; emissions and leaks 56% less often; visibility (wipers, mirrors, windscreen) 48% less often than all cars at the same mileage.
21.4% adjusted (95% CI 21.1% to 21.8%), 18.1% raw, 77,536 MOT tests at 10 (one per car); median 48,300 miles. Mostly second-generation Jazz.
What it fails on: emissions and leaks 87% less often; body, chassis and structure (incl. drive-shaft CV boots and exhaust mounts) 86% less often; steering 71% less often than all cars at the same mileage.
Stand-out items (per 100 MOT tests, not adjusted for mileage): ball joint dust cover ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt: 0.7 against 0.2 for all class 4 vehicles at 10 (cars and vans).
47.2% adjusted (95% CI 46.9% to 47.6%), 46.2% raw, 83,245 MOT tests at 10 (one per car); median 67,500 miles. Mostly Clio IV; some 2012 cars are Clio III.
What it fails on: body, chassis and structure (incl. drive-shaft CV boots and exhaust mounts) 3.2–3.3× as often; suspension 2.4–2.5× as often; brakes 2.25–2.33× as often than all cars at the same mileage.
Stand-out items (per 100 MOT tests, not adjusted for mileage): rigid brake pipes excessively corroded: 2.8 against 0.5 for all class 4 vehicles at 10 (cars and vans); ball joint ball joint excessively worn: 9.6 against 1.8 for all class 4 vehicles at 10 (cars and vans).
46.5% adjusted (95% CI 46.1% to 46.9%), 46.9% raw, 63,576 MOT tests at 10 (one per car); median 70,000 miles. One generation; sold as the Citroen DS3 until the 2016 DS 3 facelift.
What it fails on: body, chassis and structure (incl. drive-shaft CV boots and exhaust mounts) 5.9–6.1× as often; steering 2.9–3.1× as often; lights and electrics 1.8–1.9× as often than all cars at the same mileage.
Stand-out items (per 100 MOT tests, not adjusted for mileage): exhaust system system insecure: 3.5 against 0.3 for all class 4 vehicles at 10 (cars and vans); joints constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt: 11.1 against 1.3 for all class 4 vehicles at 10 (cars and vans).
41.0% adjusted (95% CI 40.8% to 41.2%), 39.8% raw, 303,881 MOT tests at 10 (one per car); median 65,700 miles. Corsa D, and Corsa E from late 2014.
What it fails on: steering 3.9–4.0× as often; emissions and leaks 2.0–2.1× as often; lights and electrics 1.52–1.55× as often than all cars at the same mileage.
Stand-out items (per 100 MOT tests, not adjusted for mileage): service brake imbalance across an axle by more than 50%: 1.2 against 0.1 for all class 4 vehicles at 10 (cars and vans); track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt: 5.0 against 0.4 for all class 4 vehicles at 10 (cars and vans).
40.2% adjusted (95% CI 39.9% to 40.5%), 35.7% raw, 140,102 MOT tests at 10 (one per car); median 54,800 miles.
What it fails on: road wheels 66% less often; steering 64% less often; suspension 2.18–2.23× as often than all cars at the same mileage.
40.1% adjusted (95% CI 39.7% to 40.6%), 37.8% raw, 53,843 MOT tests at 10 (one per car); median 60,400 miles.
What it fails on: body, chassis and structure (incl. drive-shaft CV boots and exhaust mounts) 3.6–3.8× as often; steering 1.9–2.0× as often; lights and electrics 1.8–1.9× as often than all cars at the same mileage.
Premium and hybrid cars: Lexus RX, Lexus IS, Porsche Cayenne, Audi Q7, Audi A7, Mercedes-Benz S-Class, BMW X5, Lexus CT, Audi Q5, Audi A6 are in the top 10 but are tested in smaller numbers. Owners of premium cars are more likely to have them serviced before the MOT, and hybrids wear their brakes less, so part of their lead may be upkeep and regenerative braking rather than design.
Share of cars failing on at least one item in each part of the DVSA inspection manual, against all cars at the same test year and mileage. DVSA's "body, chassis and structure" section also holds drive-shaft CV boots and exhaust mountings, so it is not a rust measure.
| Model | Part | Per 100 MOT tests | All cars | Against all cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honda CR-V | Brakes | 3.7 | 6.2 | 44% fewer (0.5–0.6×) |
| Honda CR-V | Steering | 0.8 | 2.0 | 61% fewer (0.36–0.43×) |
| Honda CR-V | Visibility (wipers, mirrors, windscreen) | 2.9 | 4.2 | 34% fewer (0.6–0.7×) |
| Honda CR-V | Lights and electrics | 5.8 | 10.7 | 49% fewer (0.49–0.53×) |
| Honda CR-V | Suspension | 3.8 | 9.5 | 62% fewer (0.36–0.39×) |
| Honda CR-V | Body, chassis and structure (incl. drive-shaft CV boots and exhaust mounts) | 0.6 | 2.6 | 79% fewer (0.19–0.23×) |
| Honda CR-V | Seat belts and airbags | 0.4 | 0.6 | 36% fewer (0.6–0.7×) |
| Honda CR-V | Emissions and leaks | 0.6 | 2.7 | 78% fewer (0.20–0.25×) |
| Honda CR-V | Tyres | 4.9 | 7.1 | 34% fewer (0.6–0.7×) |
| BMW 5 Series | Brakes | 2.6 | 6.2 | 64% fewer (0.3–0.4×) |
| BMW 5 Series | Steering | 0.8 | 2.0 | 65% fewer (0.3–0.4×) |
| BMW 5 Series | Visibility (wipers, mirrors, windscreen) | 3.1 | 4.2 | 29% fewer (0.67–0.74×) |
| BMW 5 Series | Lights and electrics | 5.2 | 10.7 | 60% fewer (0.39–0.42×) |
| BMW 5 Series | Suspension | 6.1 | 9.5 | 45% fewer (0.5–0.6×) |
| BMW 5 Series | Body, chassis and structure (incl. drive-shaft CV boots and exhaust mounts) | 0.4 | 2.6 | 87% fewer (0.11–0.14×) |
| BMW 5 Series | Seat belts and airbags | 0.4 | 0.6 | 48% fewer (0.5–0.6×) |
| BMW 5 Series | Emissions and leaks | 0.9 | 2.7 | 73% fewer (0.25–0.30×) |
| BMW 5 Series | Road wheels | 1.2 | 0.4 | 1.9–2.2× as often |
| Volkswagen Golf 2013-15 (mostly Golf VII) | Brakes | 4.1 | 6.2 | 37% fewer (0.61–0.64×) |
| Volkswagen Golf 2013-15 (mostly Golf VII) | Steering | 0.2 | 2.0 | 90% fewer (0.09–0.11×) |
| Volkswagen Golf 2013-15 (mostly Golf VII) | Visibility (wipers, mirrors, windscreen) | 2.3 | 4.2 | 45% fewer (0.5–0.6×) |
| Volkswagen Golf 2013-15 (mostly Golf VII) | Lights and electrics | 4.6 | 10.7 | 57% fewer (0.42–0.44×) |
| Volkswagen Golf 2013-15 (mostly Golf VII) | Suspension | 6.1 | 9.5 | 37% fewer (0.62–0.64×) |
| Volkswagen Golf 2013-15 (mostly Golf VII) | Body, chassis and structure (incl. drive-shaft CV boots and exhaust mounts) | 0.7 | 2.6 | 73% fewer (0.25–0.28×) |
| Volkswagen Golf 2013-15 (mostly Golf VII) | Seat belts and airbags | 0.4 | 0.6 | 34% fewer (0.6–0.7×) |
| Volkswagen Golf 2013-15 (mostly Golf VII) | Emissions and leaks | 2.1 | 2.7 | 28% fewer (0.70–0.75×) |
| Range Rover Evoque | Brakes | 5.2 | 6.2 | 23% fewer (0.7–0.8×) |
| Range Rover Evoque | Steering | 0.3 | 2.0 | 89% fewer (0.10–0.13×) |
| Range Rover Evoque | Visibility (wipers, mirrors, windscreen) | 2.3 | 4.2 | 48% fewer (0.49–0.54×) |
| Range Rover Evoque | Lights and electrics | 6.4 | 10.7 | 45% fewer (0.5–0.6×) |
| Range Rover Evoque | Suspension | 5.4 | 9.5 | 48% fewer (0.50–0.54×) |
| Range Rover Evoque | Body, chassis and structure (incl. drive-shaft CV boots and exhaust mounts) | 1.7 | 2.6 | 38% fewer (0.6–0.7×) |
| Range Rover Evoque | Seat belts and airbags | 0.5 | 0.6 | 32% fewer (0.6–0.8×) |
| Range Rover Evoque | Emissions and leaks | 1.3 | 2.7 | 56% fewer (0.4–0.5×) |
| Range Rover Evoque | Tyres | 5.4 | 7.1 | 30% fewer (0.67–0.72×) |
| Range Rover Evoque | Number plates and VIN | 0.5 | 0.3 | 1.5–1.8× as often |
| Honda Jazz | Steering | 0.4 | 2.0 | 71% fewer (0.26–0.33×) |
| Honda Jazz | Lights and electrics | 5.9 | 10.7 | 30% fewer (0.68–0.72×) |
| Honda Jazz | Suspension | 3.0 | 9.5 | 60% fewer (0.39–0.42×) |
| Honda Jazz | Body, chassis and structure (incl. drive-shaft CV boots and exhaust mounts) | 0.3 | 2.6 | 86% fewer (0.1–0.2×) |
| Honda Jazz | Seat belts and airbags | 0.3 | 0.6 | 32% fewer (0.6–0.8×) |
| Honda Jazz | Emissions and leaks | 0.2 | 2.7 | 87% fewer (0.11–0.15×) |
| Honda Jazz | Tyres | 4.1 | 7.1 | 26% fewer (0.7–0.8×) |
| Honda Jazz | Road wheels | 0.1 | 0.4 | 47% fewer (0.4–0.6×) |
| Citroen C3 | Steering | 3.4 | 2.0 | 1.9–2.0× as often |
| Citroen C3 | Visibility (wipers, mirrors, windscreen) | 5.4 | 4.2 | 1.26–1.35× as often |
| Citroen C3 | Lights and electrics | 18.1 | 10.7 | 1.8–1.9× as often |
| Citroen C3 | Body, chassis and structure (incl. drive-shaft CV boots and exhaust mounts) | 8.7 | 2.6 | 3.6–3.8× as often |
| Citroen C3 | Emissions and leaks | 3.9 | 2.7 | 1.7–1.8× as often |
| Fiat 500 | Steering | 0.6 | 2.0 | 64% fewer (0.3–0.4×) |
| Fiat 500 | Suspension | 17.8 | 9.5 | 2.18–2.23× as often |
| Fiat 500 | Body, chassis and structure (incl. drive-shaft CV boots and exhaust mounts) | 3.7 | 2.6 | 1.7–1.8× as often |
| Fiat 500 | Emissions and leaks | 3.1 | 2.7 | 1.45–1.54× as often |
| Fiat 500 | Road wheels | 0.1 | 0.4 | 66% fewer (0.3–0.4×) |
| Fiat 500 | Number plates and VIN | 0.3 | 0.3 | 1.4–1.6× as often |
| Vauxhall Corsa | Brakes | 7.7 | 6.2 | 1.27–1.30× as often |
| Vauxhall Corsa | Steering | 7.6 | 2.0 | 3.9–4.0× as often |
| Vauxhall Corsa | Visibility (wipers, mirrors, windscreen) | 6.2 | 4.2 | 1.47–1.51× as often |
| Vauxhall Corsa | Lights and electrics | 15.7 | 10.7 | 1.52–1.55× as often |
| Vauxhall Corsa | Suspension | 13.4 | 9.5 | 1.46–1.49× as often |
| Vauxhall Corsa | Emissions and leaks | 5.0 | 2.7 | 2.0–2.1× as often |
| Vauxhall Corsa | Road wheels | 0.2 | 0.4 | 35% fewer (0.6–0.7×) |
| Citroen DS3 | Steering | 6.1 | 2.0 | 2.9–3.1× as often |
| Citroen DS3 | Visibility (wipers, mirrors, windscreen) | 6.4 | 4.2 | 1.4–1.5× as often |
| Citroen DS3 | Lights and electrics | 19.9 | 10.7 | 1.8–1.9× as often |
| Citroen DS3 | Suspension | 16.6 | 9.5 | 1.7–1.8× as often |
| Citroen DS3 | Body, chassis and structure (incl. drive-shaft CV boots and exhaust mounts) | 15.7 | 2.6 | 5.9–6.1× as often |
| Citroen DS3 | Emissions and leaks | 4.3 | 2.7 | 1.6–1.7× as often |
| Citroen DS3 | Tyres | 9.2 | 7.1 | 1.27–1.34× as often |
| Citroen DS3 | Road wheels | 0.6 | 0.4 | 1.3–1.6× as often |
| Renault Clio | Brakes | 13.8 | 6.2 | 2.25–2.33× as often |
| Renault Clio | Visibility (wipers, mirrors, windscreen) | 6.1 | 4.2 | 1.4–1.5× as often |
| Renault Clio | Lights and electrics | 16.7 | 10.7 | 1.6–1.7× as often |
| Renault Clio | Suspension | 22.4 | 9.5 | 2.4–2.5× as often |
| Renault Clio | Body, chassis and structure (incl. drive-shaft CV boots and exhaust mounts) | 8.0 | 2.6 | 3.2–3.3× as often |
| Renault Clio | Tyres | 9.5 | 7.1 | 1.36–1.41× as often |
28 brands with 20,000 or more MOT tests at 10 (all their models, not only the ranked ones). A brand is called fewer or more only when its 95% interval is at least 20% from all cars. 6 of Renault's 6 ranked models were above average.
| # | Brand | MOT testsone per car | Adjusted | Against all cars (95% CI) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Porsche | 29,208 | 13.4% | 55% fewer (0.4–0.5×) |
| 2 | Lexus | 35,141 | 15.3% | 49% fewer (0.50–0.52×) |
| 3 | Honda | 196,684 | 20.5% | 31% fewer (0.68–0.69×) |
| 4 | Land Rover | 211,546 | 20.7% | 31% fewer (0.68–0.70×) |
| 5 | BMW | 470,213 | 21.8% | 27% fewer (0.725–0.733×) |
| 6 | Audi | 476,939 | 22.0% | 27% fewer (0.73–0.74×) |
| 7 | MINI | 197,347 | 22.2% | 26% fewer (0.73–0.75×) |
| 8 | Jaguar | 61,262 | 22.2% | 26% fewer (0.7–0.8×) |
| 9 | Mercedes-Benz | 356,791 | 24.3% | close to average ratio 0.81 (0.81–0.81) |
| 10 | Skoda | 226,058 | 25.2% | close to average ratio 0.84 (0.84–0.85) |
| 11 | Toyota | 325,590 | 25.2% | close to average ratio 0.84 (0.84–0.85) |
| 12 | Volkswagen | 667,907 | 25.8% | close to average ratio 0.86 (0.86–0.86) |
| 13 | Volvo | 127,848 | 26.6% | close to average ratio 0.89 (0.88–0.90) |
| 14 | Mitsubishi | 46,707 | 27.8% | close to average ratio 0.93 (0.91–0.94) |
| 15 | Mazda | 120,484 | 29.3% | close to average ratio 0.98 (0.97–0.99) |
| 16 | SEAT | 146,944 | 29.6% | close to average ratio 0.99 (0.98–1.00) |
| 17 | Suzuki | 113,791 | 30.9% | close to average ratio 1.03 (1.02–1.04) |
| 18 | Kia | 253,851 | 33.1% | close to average ratio 1.10 (1.10–1.11) |
| 19 | Ford | 1,082,438 | 33.5% | close to average ratio 1.12 (1.12–1.12) |
| 20 | Hyundai | 258,201 | 34.3% | close to average ratio 1.15 (1.14–1.15) |
| 21 | Peugeot | 315,899 | 35.5% | close to average ratio 1.18 (1.18–1.19) |
| 22 | Vauxhall | 874,837 | 35.6% | close to average ratio 1.19 (1.19–1.19) |
| 23 | Nissan | 452,628 | 36.1% | 21% more (1.20–1.21×) |
| 24 | Citroen (incl. DS3, DS4, DS5) | 260,395 | 39.4% | 32% more (1.31–1.32×) |
| 25 | Fiat | 210,032 | 39.5% | 32% more (1.31–1.33×) |
| 26 | Chevrolet | 21,290 | 41.3% | 38% more (1.36–1.40×) |
| 27 | Dacia | 55,267 | 42.9% | 43% more (1.42–1.45×) |
| 28 | Renault | 188,852 | 43.2% | 44% more (1.4–1.5×) |
Sports cars are rarely driven and often garaged, so they have their own table. On raw figures the Porsche 911 failed 6.9% at 10; the adjusted rates rest on few high-mileage cars.
| #95% range | Model | MOT testsone per car | Raw | Adjusted (95% CI) | Against all cars at 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11–1 | Porsche 911mostly 991 | 5,884 | 6.9% | 9.7%8.8%–10.7% | 68% fewer fails |
| 22–2 | Audi TT | 23,674 | 15.9% | 16.5%16.1%–17.0% | 45% fewer fails |
| 33–3 | BMW 6 Series | 7,300 | 19.8% | 18.8%17.9%–19.6% | 37% fewer fails |
| 44–4 | BMW Z4 | 6,797 | 18.1% | 21.0%19.9%–22.1% | 30% fewer fails |
| 55–5 | Mazda MX-5 | 11,741 | 17.4% | 22.7%21.8%–23.6% | 24% fewer fails |
| 66–6 | Mercedes-Benz SLK | 19,146 | 22.0% | 25.0%24.4%–25.7% | close to average |
| 77–7 | Volkswagen Scirocco | 17,341 | 28.9% | 27.0%26.3%–27.6% | close to average |
| 88–8 | Peugeot RCZ | 6,567 | 33.2% | 34.9%33.7%–36.1% | close to average |
Class 4 vans only (most large vans are tested as class 7). Camper conversions are removed where the model name shows them. Families marked (passenger) include their people-carrier versions, which DVSA data cannot separate. Vans fail 1.22–1.23× as often as cars at the same test year and mileage (547,399 vans tested at 10, 40.1% failed).
| #95% range | Model | MOT testsone per car | Raw | Adjusted (95% CI) | Against all cars at 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11–1 | Volkswagen Transporter | 59,684 | 29.3% | 29.8%29.4%–30.2% | 26% fewer fails |
| 22–2 | Volkswagen Caddy (passenger) | 44,851 | 33.0% | 32.4%32.0%–32.8% | close to average |
| 33–4 | Mercedes-Benz Vito | 17,886 | 35.2% | 33.6%33.0%–34.3% | close to average |
| 43–4 | Ford Transit Connect | 32,909 | 34.9% | 34.4%33.9%–34.9% | close to average |
| 55–5 | Fiat Doblo (passenger) | 19,672 | 34.1% | 37.8%37.1%–38.5% | close to average |
| 66–6 | Ford Transit | 97,032 | 39.8% | 38.8%38.5%–39.1% | about average |
| 77–8 | Peugeot Expert | 12,050 | 39.5% | 40.5%39.6%–41.4% | about average |
| 87–8 | Peugeot Partner (passenger) | 47,813 | 40.4% | 41.1%40.6%–41.5% | close to average |
| 99–11 | Peugeot Bipper | 8,541 | 42.5% | 43.2%42.2%–44.3% | close to average |
| 109–12 | Citroen Nemo | 6,208 | 42.4% | 43.5%42.3%–44.8% | close to average |
| 1110–12 | Vauxhall Combo | 16,136 | 44.8% | 44.5%43.7%–45.2% | close to average |
| 1210–12 | Mercedes-Benz Citan | 5,789 | 44.7% | 44.6%43.3%–45.8% | close to average |
| 1313–15 | Renault Trafic | 25,295 | 47.1% | 46.4%45.8%–47.0% | close to average |
| 1413–15 | Citroen Berlingo (passenger) | 51,335 | 45.3% | 46.4%46.0%–46.9% | close to average |
| 1513–15 | Vauxhall Vivaro | 51,301 | 47.8% | 46.8%46.4%–47.2% | close to average |
| 1616–17 | Nissan NV200 | 13,469 | 47.5% | 48.3%47.4%–49.1% | close to average |
| 1716–17 | Citroen Dispatch | 11,346 | 49.1% | 49.1%48.2%–50.0% | 23% more fails |
| 1818–18 | Renault Kangoo (passenger) | 12,725 | 49.9% | 50.4%49.5%–51.3% | 26% more fails |
A ranking compares models at the same age and mileage; it cannot say how one car was kept. A registration shows that car's own DVSA record: its MOT tests, the mileage at each test and the recall flag.
Each car counts once: its first normal MOT in the calendar year it turned 10 (cars first registered 2012–2015, tested 2022–2025). A fail is DVSA's initial fail (F or PRS). Expected fails use the all-car rate for the same test year and 5,000-mile band; the ratio of observed to expected fails, times 30.0%, is the adjusted rate. Intervals are Wilson 95%, sampling error only.
| Method | Rank correlation with the headline |
|---|---|
| Test year only, no mileage adjustment | 0.941 |
| Raw fail rate (no adjustment) | 0.937 |
| Direct standardisation, 6 mileage bands, test years pooled (v1 method) | 0.990 |
| All normal tests, incl. repeat MOTs in the same year | 1.000 |
| Also matched on postcode area (test year x 30k band x area) | 0.995 |
| Fail = F only (PRS counted as a pass) | 0.976 |
| Only fails on non-maintenance items (excl. tyres, lights, wipers/visibility, plates; PRS = pass) | 0.944 |
| Compared with the same fuel only (hybrids vs hybrids, diesels vs diesels) | 0.974 |
| Ages 9-11 pooled (consistency check, not independent) | 0.998 |
Limitation: MOTs record roadworthiness defects on the test day, not breakdowns or repair costs. The data cannot separate design from upkeep; families pool 2012–2015 cars and some span a generation change; 7 models widely used for private hire are flagged; only cars still on the road at 10 appear; the data covers Great Britain only. Full methodology for the 10-year ranking [2]
Free to reuse under the Open Government Licence v3.0 with the credit "Source: VetTheCar analysis of DVSA MOT data (OGL v3)" and a link to this page. The CSVs start with the attribution rows.
Live widgets for one model's MOT fail rate and for ULEZ: MOT and ULEZ widgets for your site.
The Honda Jazz: 21.4% adjusted to average mileage (77,536 MOT tests), against 30.0% for all cars at 10.
No. The 7,880,798 MOT tests record roadworthiness defects on the test day, not breakdowns, engine or gearbox faults, or repair costs.
Fail rates at 10 rise from 15% under 30,000 miles to 35% at 90,000 to 120,000, so each model is compared with cars of the same mileage, tested in the same year.
2012–2015 registrations only: these are those cars at 10. Later generations may do better or worse.
170 models, free to reuse under the Open Government Licence with the credit "Source: VetTheCar analysis of DVSA MOT data (OGL v3)" and a link to this page.