Buying Report · £14.99
Tools

Ranked by MOT fails against cars the same age and mileage, 8 to 12 years old

MPVs and 7-seaters with the fewest MOT fails at 8 to 12 years

DVSA MOT tests 2022–2025 · 2,159,686 MOT tests · Updated

Toyota Prius+ has the fewest MOT fails among MPVs and 7-seaters 8 to 12 years old: 38% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (7,857 MOT tests) [1].

Buying Report £14.99 incl. VAT · one car · no subscription · Not a mechanical inspection.

  • 25 models ranked, 1 with at least 20% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (95% interval, at 3 or more ages), from 2,159,686 MOT tests [1]
  • Skoda Roomster is next: no clear difference from cars the same age and mileage by our 20% rule (ratio 0.86) (38,788 MOT tests)
  • Citroen C4 Grand Picasso is last of the 25: 41% more MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (23,234 MOT tests)

Which year and engine a car has, and how it was kept, decide where one car sits in these ranges. Check the reg first.

Fail rates are for the model across its MOT tests, never a forecast for one car.

  • Fewest MOT fails: Toyota Prius+, 38% fewer fails than cars the same age and mileage

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 tested at the same age, in the same mileage band and in its own mix of test years, so a low-mileage model does not look better for its low mileage. "Most reliable" in our titles is measured as MOT failure rate at the same age and mileage, not breakdowns.

MPVs and 7-seaters 8 to 12 years old: the ranking

Ranked by MOT fails against cars the same age and mileage, from 25 models with at least 1,000 MOT tests at each of 3 or more ages between 8 to 12 years (pooled). The range under each rank is where the model could sit once sampling error is allowed for. Each adjusted rate reads against its own all-car rate, because models are tested at different ages.

MPVs and 7-seaters 8 to 12 years old: MOT fails against cars the same age and mileage, top 20Dot plot of the 20 models in the table: each dot is the model's MOT fails against cars the same age and mileage, the line its 95% confidence interval. Dashed line: the same rate as all cars. Blue: at least 20% fewer fails, red: at least 20% more (interval and 3 or more ages), grey: about average.Fewer fails ← → more fails, same age and mileage80% fewer60% fewer40% fewer20% fewersame20% moreToyota Prius+: 38% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (ratio 0.62, 95% CI 0.59 to 0.65), 7,857 MOT tests1. Toyota Prius+Skoda Roomster: no clear difference from cars the same age and mileage by our 20% rule (ratio 0.86, 95% CI 0.84 to 0.87), 38,788 MOT tests2. Skoda RoomsterVolkswagen Sharan: no clear difference from cars the same age and mileage by our 20% rule (ratio 0.86, 95% CI 0.85 to 0.87), 50,722 MOT tests3. Volkswagen SharanVolkswagen Touran: no clear difference from cars the same age and mileage by our 20% rule (ratio 0.87, 95% CI 0.86 to 0.88), 99,271 MOT tests4. Volkswagen TouranSEAT Alhambra: no clear difference from cars the same age and mileage by our 20% rule (ratio 0.89, 95% CI 0.88 to 0.91), 41,626 MOT tests5. SEAT AlhambraMercedes-Benz B-Class: no clear difference from cars the same age and mileage by our 20% rule (ratio 0.90, 95% CI 0.89 to 0.91), 125,904 MOT tests6. Mercedes-Benz B-ClassToyota Verso: no clear difference from cars the same age and mileage by our 20% rule (ratio 0.90, 95% CI 0.89 to 0.91), 64,447 MOT tests7. Toyota VersoFord C-Max: no clear difference from cars the same age and mileage by our 20% rule (ratio 0.92, 95% CI 0.91 to 0.93), 232,087 MOT tests8. Ford C-MaxSEAT Altea: about as many MOT fails as cars the same age and mileage (ratio 0.99, 95% CI 0.97 to 1.01), 19,644 MOT tests9. SEAT AlteaFord S-Max: no clear difference from cars the same age and mileage by our 20% rule (ratio 1.02, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.02), 125,372 MOT tests10. Ford S-MaxChrysler Grand Voyager: no clear difference from cars the same age and mileage by our 20% rule (ratio 1.07, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.11), 4,046 MOT tests11. Chrysler Grand VoyagerVauxhall Meriva: no clear difference from cars the same age and mileage by our 20% rule (ratio 1.07, 95% CI 1.07 to 1.08), 176,817 MOT tests12. Vauxhall MerivaVauxhall Zafira: no clear difference from cars the same age and mileage by our 20% rule (ratio 1.10, 95% CI 1.09 to 1.10), 407,569 MOT tests13. Vauxhall ZafiraFord Grand C-Max: no clear difference from cars the same age and mileage by our 20% rule (ratio 1.11, 95% CI 1.10 to 1.12), 85,978 MOT tests14. Ford Grand C-MaxFord Galaxy: no clear difference from cars the same age and mileage by our 20% rule (ratio 1.14, 95% CI 1.13 to 1.15), 87,132 MOT tests15. Ford GalaxyMazda 5: no clear difference from cars the same age and mileage by our 20% rule (ratio 1.15, 95% CI 1.13 to 1.18), 13,114 MOT tests16. Mazda 5Kia Venga: no clear difference from cars the same age and mileage by our 20% rule (ratio 1.16, 95% CI 1.15 to 1.17), 106,915 MOT tests17. Kia VengaChevrolet Orlando: no clear difference from cars the same age and mileage by our 20% rule (ratio 1.17, 95% CI 1.14 to 1.19), 11,021 MOT tests18. Chevrolet OrlandoKia Carens: no clear difference from cars the same age and mileage by our 20% rule (ratio 1.18, 95% CI 1.16 to 1.20), 27,572 MOT tests19. Kia CarensFord B-Max: no clear difference from cars the same age and mileage by our 20% rule (ratio 1.18, 95% CI 1.17 to 1.19), 170,021 MOT tests20. Ford B-Max
Top 20 of 25. Adjusted rate = the model's rate at typical mileage for its own ages, against all cars at those ages; raw = its own ages and mileage.
#95% rangeModelAgainst cars the same age and mileageAdjusted rateits own ages, typical mileageRawits own ages and mileageMOT testsNext step
1certainToyota Prius+MPV38% fewer fails (35–41% fewer)17.0%all cars: 27.4%18.9%7,857at 8 to 11 years–
22–4Skoda RoomsterMPVclose to averageratio 0.86 (0.84–0.87)26.4%all cars: 30.8%25.1%38,788at 8 to 12 yearsSkoda Roomster MOT fail rate · Skoda Roomster common problems
32–4Volkswagen SharanMPVclose to averageratio 0.86 (0.85–0.87)24.5%all cars: 28.5%26.8%50,722at 8 to 12 yearsVolkswagen Sharan MOT fail rate · Volkswagen Sharan common problems
42–4Volkswagen TouranMPVclose to averageratio 0.87 (0.86–0.88)26.4%all cars: 30.3%28.2%99,271at 8 to 12 yearsVolkswagen Touran MOT fail rate · Volkswagen Touran common problems
55–7SEAT AlhambraMPVclose to averageratio 0.89 (0.88–0.91)24.4%all cars: 27.3%27.0%41,626at 8 to 12 yearsSEAT Alhambra MOT fail rate · SEAT Alhambra common problems
65–7Mercedes-Benz B-ClassMPVclose to averageratio 0.90 (0.89–0.91)26.4%all cars: 29.4%25.9%125,904at 8 to 12 yearsMercedes-Benz B-Class MOT fail rate · Mercedes-Benz B-Class common problems
75–7Toyota VersoMPVclose to averageratio 0.90 (0.89–0.91)26.9%all cars: 29.8%27.8%64,447at 8 to 12 yearsToyota Verso MOT fail rate · Toyota Verso common problems
8certainFord C-MaxMPVclose to averageratio 0.92 (0.91–0.93)27.3%all cars: 29.6%27.5%232,087at 8 to 12 yearsFord C-Max MOT fail rate · Ford C-Max common problems
9certainSEAT AlteaMPVabout averageratio 0.99 (0.97–1.01)31.8%all cars: 32.2%33.5%19,644at 8 to 12 yearsSEAT Altea MOT fail rate · SEAT Altea common problems
10certainFord S-MaxMPVclose to averageratio 1.02 (1.01–1.02)30.8%all cars: 30.3%33.4%125,372at 8 to 12 yearsFord S-Max MOT fail rate · Ford S-Max common problems
1111–14Chrysler Grand VoyagerMPVclose to averageratio 1.07 (1.03–1.11)35.9%all cars: 33.5%38.0%4,046at 10 to 12 yearsChrysler Grand Voyager common problems
1211–12Vauxhall MerivaMPVclose to averageratio 1.07 (1.07–1.08)33.0%all cars: 30.7%31.3%176,817at 8 to 12 yearsVauxhall Meriva MOT fail rate · Vauxhall Meriva common problems
1312–14Vauxhall ZafiraMPVclose to averageratio 1.10 (1.09–1.10)33.0%all cars: 30.0%34.4%407,569at 8 to 12 yearsVauxhall Zafira MOT fail rate · Vauxhall Zafira common problems
1412–14Ford Grand C-MaxMPVclose to averageratio 1.11 (1.10–1.12)32.3%all cars: 29.2%34.2%85,978at 8 to 12 yearsFord Grand C-Max MOT fail rate · Ford Grand C-Max common problems
1515–18Ford GalaxyMPVclose to averageratio 1.14 (1.13–1.15)34.1%all cars: 29.8%37.5%87,132at 8 to 12 yearsFord Galaxy MOT fail rate · Ford Galaxy common problems
1615–20Mazda 5MPVclose to averageratio 1.15 (1.13–1.18)36.6%all cars: 31.8%38.8%13,114at 8 to 12 yearsMazda 5 MOT fail rate · Mazda 5 common problems
1715–20Kia VengaMPVclose to averageratio 1.16 (1.15–1.17)33.9%all cars: 29.1%30.7%106,915at 8 to 12 yearsKia Venga MOT fail rate · Kia Venga common problems
1815–20Chevrolet OrlandoMPVclose to averageratio 1.17 (1.14–1.19)39.3%all cars: 33.7%41.1%11,021at 10 to 12 yearsChevrolet Orlando common problems
1916–20Kia CarensMPVclose to averageratio 1.18 (1.16–1.20)32.4%all cars: 27.5%34.2%27,572at 8 to 12 yearsKia Carens MOT fail rate · Kia Carens common problems
2016–20Ford B-MaxMPVclose to averageratio 1.18 (1.17–1.19)33.6%all cars: 28.5%30.2%170,021at 8 to 12 yearsFord B-Max MOT fail rate · Ford B-Max common problems
Show all 25 models

Ranks 21 to 25, against cars the same age and mileage. 0 of them are about average (within 20% once sampling error is allowed for).

  1. Fiat 500L, 26% more
  2. Hyundai ix20, 26% more
  3. Renault Scenic, 30% more
  4. Renault Grand Scenic, 35% more
  5. Citroen C4 Grand Picasso, 41% more

Check that exact car before the viewing.

Buying Report £14.99 incl. VAT · one car · no subscription · Not a mechanical inspection.

  • Model risks for this year and fuel
  • What similar cars did at their next MOT
  • Repairs ahead
  • Viewing checklist

See a sample report

The top 10 in this list, model by model

1 · 38% fewer MOT fails

Toyota Prius+

Why it ranks here: 38% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (ratio 0.62, 95% CI 0.59–0.65), from 7,857 MOT tests at 8 to 11 years. At typical mileage its rate would be about 17.0% (16.3%–17.8%), against 27.4% for all cars at the same ages; raw (its own ages and mileage) 18.9%. Rank range 1–1.

Check before you buy: fails on lights and electrics 1.3–1.4× as often as cars the same age (1,353 fails in 14,913 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted).

Suits: buyers looking at an MPV; the ones tested were mostly hybrid.

2 · About average

Skoda Roomster

Why it ranks here: No clear difference from cars the same age and mileage by our 20% rule (ratio 0.86, 95% CI 0.84–0.87), from 38,788 MOT tests at 8 to 12 years. At typical mileage its rate would be about 26.4% (25.9%–26.8%), against 30.8% for all cars at the same ages; raw (its own ages and mileage) 25.1%. Rank range 2–4.

Check before you buy: fails on body and structure 1.4–1.5× as often as cars the same age (3,350 fails in 61,337 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted).

Suits: buyers looking at an MPV; the ones tested were 62% petrol, 38% diesel.

3 · About average

Volkswagen Sharan

Why it ranks here: No clear difference from cars the same age and mileage by our 20% rule (ratio 0.86, 95% CI 0.85–0.87), from 50,722 MOT tests at 8 to 12 years. At typical mileage its rate would be about 24.5% (24.1%–24.8%), against 28.5% for all cars at the same ages; raw (its own ages and mileage) 26.8%. Rank range 2–4.

Check before you buy: fails on seat belts and airbags 1.5–1.7× as often as cars the same age (1,135 fails in 132,347 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted); fails on emissions and leaks 1.4–1.5× as often as cars the same age (3,801 fails in 132,347 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted).

Suits: buyers looking at an MPV; the ones tested were mostly diesel.

4 · About average

Volkswagen Touran

Why it ranks here: No clear difference from cars the same age and mileage by our 20% rule (ratio 0.87, 95% CI 0.86–0.88), from 99,271 MOT tests at 8 to 12 years. At typical mileage its rate would be about 26.4% (26.1%–26.6%), against 30.3% for all cars at the same ages; raw (its own ages and mileage) 28.2%. Rank range 2–4.

Check before you buy: fails on tyres 1.25–1.29× as often as cars the same age (19,472 fails in 229,056 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted).

Suits: buyers looking at an MPV; the ones tested were mostly diesel.

5 · About average

SEAT Alhambra

Why it ranks here: No clear difference from cars the same age and mileage by our 20% rule (ratio 0.89, 95% CI 0.88–0.91), from 41,626 MOT tests at 8 to 12 years. At typical mileage its rate would be about 24.4% (24.0%–24.8%), against 27.3% for all cars at the same ages; raw (its own ages and mileage) 27.0%. Rank range 5–7.

Check before you buy: fails on seat belts and airbags 1.7–1.9× as often as cars the same age (940 fails in 102,404 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted); fails on tyres 1.4–1.5× as often as cars the same age (9,011 fails in 102,404 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted); fails on emissions and leaks 1.4–1.5× as often as cars the same age (2,832 fails in 102,404 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted).

Suits: buyers looking at an MPV; the ones tested were mostly diesel.

6 · About average

Mercedes-Benz B-Class

Why it ranks here: No clear difference from cars the same age and mileage by our 20% rule (ratio 0.90, 95% CI 0.89–0.91), from 125,904 MOT tests at 8 to 12 years. At typical mileage its rate would be about 26.4% (26.2%–26.7%), against 29.4% for all cars at the same ages; raw (its own ages and mileage) 25.9%. Rank range 5–7.

Check before you buy: fails on seat belts and airbags 1.8–2.0× as often as cars the same age (3,402 fails in 260,526 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted); fails on road wheels 1.8–1.9× as often as cars the same age (1,826 fails in 260,526 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted).

Suits: buyers looking at an MPV; the ones tested were 65% diesel, 34% petrol.

7 · About average

Toyota Verso

Why it ranks here: No clear difference from cars the same age and mileage by our 20% rule (ratio 0.90, 95% CI 0.89–0.91), from 64,447 MOT tests at 8 to 12 years. At typical mileage its rate would be about 26.9% (26.6%–27.3%), against 29.8% for all cars at the same ages; raw (its own ages and mileage) 27.8%. Rank range 5–7.

Check before you buy: fails on lights and electrics 1.3–1.4× as often as cars the same age (16,699 fails in 110,690 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted).

Suits: buyers looking at an MPV; the ones tested were 57% petrol, 43% diesel.

8 · About average

Ford C-Max

Why it ranks here: No clear difference from cars the same age and mileage by our 20% rule (ratio 0.92, 95% CI 0.91–0.93), from 232,087 MOT tests at 8 to 12 years. At typical mileage its rate would be about 27.3% (27.1%–27.5%), against 29.6% for all cars at the same ages; raw (its own ages and mileage) 27.5%. Rank range 8–8.

Check before you buy: no part fails significantly more often than on cars the same age (ages 3 to 15).

Suits: buyers looking at an MPV; the ones tested were 52% petrol, 48% diesel.

9 · About average

SEAT Altea

Why it ranks here: About as many MOT fails as cars the same age and mileage (ratio 0.99, 95% CI 0.97–1.01), from 19,644 MOT tests at 8 to 12 years. At typical mileage its rate would be about 31.8% (31.2%–32.4%), against 32.2% for all cars at the same ages; raw (its own ages and mileage) 33.5%. Rank range 9–9.

Check before you buy: fails on seat belts and airbags 1.7–2.0× as often as cars the same age (820 fails in 42,043 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted); fails on body and structure 1.4–1.5× as often as cars the same age (2,617 fails in 42,043 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted).

Suits: buyers looking at an MPV; the ones tested were mostly diesel.

10 · About average

Ford S-Max

Why it ranks here: No clear difference from cars the same age and mileage by our 20% rule (ratio 1.02, 95% CI 1.01–1.02), from 125,372 MOT tests at 8 to 12 years. At typical mileage its rate would be about 30.8% (30.6%–31.0%), against 30.3% for all cars at the same ages; raw (its own ages and mileage) 33.4%. Rank range 10–10.

Check before you buy: fails on seat belts and airbags 2.1–2.2× as often as cars the same age (4,644 fails in 268,389 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted); fails on body and structure 1.7–1.8× as often as cars the same age (14,639 fails in 268,389 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted); fails on tyres 1.38–1.41× as often as cars the same age (25,362 fails in 268,389 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted).

Suits: buyers looking at an MPV; the ones tested were mostly diesel.

How to choose MPVs and 7-seaters 8 to 12 years old with this list

  • Compare like with like: against cars the same age and mileage, this list runs from 38% fewer (Toyota Prius+) to 41% more (Citroen C4 Grand Picasso).
  • 1 of the 25 fail at least 20% less often than cars the same age and mileage and 5 at least 20% more often; the other 19 are within that band, or too uncertain to say.
  • Look at what a model fails on: 9 of the 10 models above have a part that fails more often than on cars the same age.
  • Then check the one car: its own MOT history and advisories say more about it than its model's average.

Found one on the list? Check that car

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.

How we rank

2,159,686 MOT tests from 2022–2025 of cars 8 to 12 years old. For each model and age, the tests are split into 6 mileage bands (<30k, 30-60k, 60-90k, 90-120k, 120-150k, 150k+); the expected fails are what all cars of that age would fail in the same bands, corrected to the model's own mix of test years. The ratio of the model's fails to the expected fails sets its place. The adjusted rate is that ratio times the all-car rate at the model's own ages, so it reads against that rate: a model tested only at 3 to 5 years is compared with young cars, not with this list's average.

The 95% intervals cover sampling error only (Wilson intervals). A model is called fewer or more only when its interval is at least 20% from the all-car rate, overall and at 3 or more ages ("close to average" when the interval excludes the all-car rate by less); awards use the same rule. Test years: Each model's expected fails therefore use its own mix of test years 2022–2025, age by age; the mileage bands themselves pool the four years, which can leave a small bias in favour of models first sold late in the window. Generations of a model are pooled unless the data splits them; each row says which years it covers. How we compare

Limitation: MOT tests record roadworthiness defects on the test day. They do not record breakdowns, engine or gearbox faults, or repair costs, and they cannot separate design from upkeep: a model whose owners service it before every MOT looks better here. Only cars still on the road are tested.

More lists

Questions people ask

Which MPVs and 7-seaters 8 to 12 years old have the fewest MOT fails?

7,857 MOT tests at 8 to 11 years put the Toyota Prius+ first: 38% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage. Next is the Skoda Roomster: no clear difference from cars the same age and mileage by our 20% rule (ratio 0.86).

Which MPVs and 7-seaters 8 to 12 years old fail their MOT most often?

23,234 MOT tests at 8 to 12 years put the Citroen C4 Grand Picasso last of the 25 in this list: 41% more MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage.

How many MPVs and 7-seaters 8 to 12 years old are compared?

25 models with at least 1,000 MOT tests at each age counted, 2,159,686 MOT tests in all; 1 fail at least 20% less often than cars the same age and mileage and 5 at least 20% more often.

Sources

  1. Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2022 to 2025. DVSA MOT data, Open Government Licence v3.0, 2,159,686 MOT tests. Accessed 7 Oct 2026.