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

Small cars with the fewest MOT fails at 8 to 12 years

Q: Which small cars 8 to 12 years old have the fewest MOT fails?

18,158 MOT tests at 8 to 11 years put the BMW i3 first: 30% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage; ranks 1 to 3 overlap, so it is level with the Honda Jazz. Next is the Honda Jazz: 29% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage.

Q: Which small cars 8 to 12 years old fail their MOT most often?

12,988 MOT tests at 8 to 11 years put the Renault Zoe last of the 55 in this list: 75% more MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage.

Q: How many small cars 8 to 12 years old are compared?

55 models with at least 1,000 MOT tests at each age counted, 14,708,028 MOT tests in all; 4 fail at least 20% less often than cars the same age and mileage and 21 at least 20% more often.

DVSA MOT tests 2022–2025 · 14,708,028 MOT tests · Updated 7 Oct 2026

BMW i3 ranks first among small cars 8 to 12 years old (95% rank range 1–3, statistically close to the next 2): 30% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (18,158 MOT tests) ^[1].

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55 models ranked, 4 with at least 20% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (95% interval, at 3 or more ages), from 14,708,028 MOT tests ^[1]
Honda Jazz is next: 29% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (396,036 MOT tests)
Renault Zoe is last of the 55: 75% more MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (12,988 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: BMW i3, 30% fewer fails than cars the same age and mileage (statistically close to #2)
#2 for fewest MOT fails: Honda Jazz, 29% fewer fails than cars the same age and mileage
#3 for fewest MOT fails: Toyota iQ, 29% fewer fails than cars the same age and mileage
#4 for fewest MOT fails: MINI Cooper and One, 22% 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.

Small cars 8 to 12 years old: the ranking

Ranked by MOT fails against cars the same age and mileage, from 55 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.

Top 20 of 55. 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% range	Model	Against cars the same age and mileage	Adjusted rateits own ages, typical mileage	Rawits own ages and mileage	MOT tests	Next step
11–3	BMW i3supermini	30% fewer fails (27–32% fewer)	17.5%all cars: 24.9%	16.4%	18,158at 8 to 11 years	BMW i3 MOT fail rate · BMW i3 common problems
21–3	Honda Jazzsupermini	29% fewer fails (29–30% fewer)	21.2%all cars: 29.9%	18.2%	396,036at 8 to 12 years	Honda Jazz MOT fail rate · Honda Jazz common problems
31–3	Toyota iQcity car	29% fewer fails (27–30% fewer)	24.1%all cars: 33.8%	20.6%	23,235at 9 to 12 years	Toyota iQ MOT fail rate · Toyota iQ common problems
4certain	MINI Cooper and Onesupermini	22% fewer fails (21.8–22.4% fewer)	22.8%all cars: 29.3%	21.7%	788,937at 8 to 12 years	MINI Cooper and One MOT fail rate · MINI Cooper and One common problems
55–7	Volkswagen up!city car	close to averageratio 0.86 (0.86–0.87)	24.8%all cars: 28.7%	21.8%	296,368at 8 to 12 years	Volkswagen up! MOT fail rate · Volkswagen up! common problems
65–8	Mitsubishi Miragecity car	close to averageratio 0.87 (0.85–0.89)	24.2%all cars: 27.9%	20.8%	24,049at 8 to 12 years	Mitsubishi Mirage MOT fail rate · Mitsubishi Mirage common problems
75–8	Suzuki Celeriocity car	close to averageratio 0.87 (0.85–0.89)	20.9%all cars: 24.0%	17.6%	43,189at 8 to 10 years	Suzuki Celerio MOT fail rate · Suzuki Celerio common problems
86–8	Skoda Citigocity car	close to averageratio 0.89 (0.88–0.90)	24.8%all cars: 27.9%	22.1%	122,153at 8 to 12 years	Skoda Citigo MOT fail rate · Skoda Citigo common problems
99–12	Toyota Yarissupermini	close to averageratio 0.93 (0.93–0.94)	27.2%all cars: 29.2%	24.8%	542,693at 8 to 12 years	Toyota Yaris MOT fail rate · Toyota Yaris common problems
109–12	Skoda Fabiasupermini	close to averageratio 0.93 (0.93–0.94)	27.3%all cars: 29.2%	26.1%	326,342at 8 to 12 years	Skoda Fabia MOT fail rate · Skoda Fabia common problems
119–13	Toyota Aygocity car	close to averageratio 0.94 (0.93–0.94)	27.0%all cars: 28.7%	24.0%	356,883at 8 to 12 years	Toyota Aygo MOT fail rate · Toyota Aygo common problems
129–14	SEAT Miicity car	close to averageratio 0.94 (0.93–0.96)	27.1%all cars: 28.7%	24.4%	45,726at 8 to 12 years	SEAT Mii MOT fail rate · SEAT Mii common problems
1311–13	Audi A1supermini	close to averageratio 0.95 (0.94–0.95)	27.3%all cars: 28.8%	27.1%	416,817at 8 to 12 years	Audi A1 MOT fail rate · Audi A1 common problems
1413–14	Peugeot 108city car	close to averageratio 0.96 (0.95–0.97)	24.1%all cars: 25.1%	20.8%	129,318at 8 to 11 years	Peugeot 108 MOT fail rate · Peugeot 108 common problems
1515–16	Peugeot 107city car	about averageratio 1.00 (0.99–1.00)	32.4%all cars: 32.5%	28.7%	192,269at 8 to 12 years	Peugeot 107 MOT fail rate · Peugeot 107 common problems
1615–16	Suzuki Swiftsupermini	about averageratio 1.00 (0.99–1.01)	29.1%all cars: 29.1%	27.5%	189,094at 8 to 12 years	Suzuki Swift MOT fail rate · Suzuki Swift common problems
17certain	Citroen C1city car	close to averageratio 1.02 (1.01–1.03)	30.0%all cars: 29.4%	27.1%	293,821at 8 to 12 years	Citroen C1 MOT fail rate · Citroen C1 common problems
1818–20	Nissan Notesupermini	close to averageratio 1.04 (1.03–1.05)	30.8%all cars: 29.6%	28.6%	281,567at 8 to 12 years	Nissan Note MOT fail rate · Nissan Note common problems
1918–20	Smart Fortwocity car	close to averageratio 1.04 (1.03–1.05)	31.2%all cars: 29.9%	25.8%	84,159at 8 to 12 years	Smart Fortwo MOT fail rate · Smart Fortwo common problems
2018–21	Nissan Pixocity car	close to averageratio 1.06 (1.04–1.09)	37.4%all cars: 35.2%	31.1%	15,330at 10 to 12 years	Nissan Pixo MOT fail rate · Nissan Pixo common problems

Show all 55 models

Ranks 21 to 55, against cars the same age and mileage. 14 of them are about average (within 20% once sampling error is allowed for).

Mitsubishi Colt, about average
Mazda 2, about average
Hyundai i20, about average
Vauxhall Viva, about average
Vauxhall Agila, about average
Volkswagen Polo, about average
Abarth 500, about average
Kia Rio, about average
Hyundai i10, about average
Suzuki Splash, about average
Ford Ka, about average
Suzuki Alto, about average
Fiat Panda, about average
Kia Picanto, about average
Alfa Romeo MiTo, 22% more
SEAT Ibiza, 22% more
Nissan Micra, 24% more
Peugeot 208, 24% more
Ford Fiesta, 24% more
Chrysler Ypsilon, 29% more
Fiat 500, 31% more
Vauxhall Adam, 32% more
Peugeot 207, 32% more
Citroen C3, 33% more
Vauxhall Corsa, 34% more
MG 3, 34% more
Fiat Punto, 35% more
Renault Twingo, 40% more
Smart Forfour (first used from 2014), 40% more
Chevrolet Spark, 45% more
Chevrolet Aveo, 45% more
DS DS3, 54% more
Dacia Sandero, 56% more
Renault Clio, 57% more
Renault Zoe, 75% more

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The top 10 in this list, model by model

1 · 30% fewer MOT fails

BMW i3

Why it ranks here: 30% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (ratio 0.70, 95% CI 0.68–0.73), from 18,158 MOT tests at 8 to 11 years. At typical mileage its rate would be about 17.5% (17.0%–18.1%), against 24.9% for all cars at the same ages; raw (its own ages and mileage) 16.4%. Rank range 1–3.

Check before you buy: fails on road wheels 1.8–2.2× as often as cars the same age (393 fails in 85,743 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted); fails on seat belts and airbags 1.3–1.5× as often as cars the same age (427 fails in 85,743 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted).

Suits: buyers looking at a supermini; the ones tested were 61% electric, 39% hybrid.

2 · 29% fewer MOT fails

Honda Jazz

Why it ranks here: 29% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (ratio 0.71, 95% CI 0.70–0.71), from 396,036 MOT tests at 8 to 12 years. At typical mileage its rate would be about 21.2% (21.0%–21.3%), against 29.9% for all cars at the same ages; raw (its own ages and mileage) 18.2%. Rank range 1–3.

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

Suits: buyers looking at a supermini; the ones tested were mostly petrol.

3 · 29% fewer MOT fails

Toyota iQ

Why it ranks here: 29% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (ratio 0.71, 95% CI 0.70–0.73), from 23,235 MOT tests at 9 to 12 years. At typical mileage its rate would be about 24.1% (23.5%–24.7%), against 33.8% for all cars at the same ages; raw (its own ages and mileage) 20.6%. Rank range 1–3.

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

Suits: buyers looking at a city car; the ones tested were mostly petrol.

4 · 22% fewer MOT fails

MINI Cooper and One

Why it ranks here: 22% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (ratio 0.78, 95% CI 0.78–0.78), from 788,937 MOT tests at 8 to 12 years. At typical mileage its rate would be about 22.8% (22.7%–22.9%), against 29.3% for all cars at the same ages; raw (its own ages and mileage) 21.7%. Rank range 4–4.

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

Suits: buyers looking at a supermini; the ones tested were mostly petrol.

5 · About average

Volkswagen up!

Why it ranks here: No clear difference from cars the same age and mileage by our 20% rule (ratio 0.86, 95% CI 0.86–0.87), from 296,368 MOT tests at 8 to 12 years. At typical mileage its rate would be about 24.8% (24.6%–25.0%), against 28.7% for all cars at the same ages; raw (its own ages and mileage) 21.8%. Rank range 5–7.

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

Suits: buyers looking at a city car; the ones tested were mostly petrol.

6 · About average

Mitsubishi Mirage

Why it ranks here: No clear difference from cars the same age and mileage by our 20% rule (ratio 0.87, 95% CI 0.85–0.89), from 24,049 MOT tests at 8 to 12 years. At typical mileage its rate would be about 24.2% (23.6%–24.8%), against 27.9% for all cars at the same ages; raw (its own ages and mileage) 20.8%. Rank range 5–8.

Check before you buy: fails on visibility 1.2–1.3× as often as cars the same age (2,031 fails in 44,082 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted).

Suits: buyers looking at a city car; the ones tested were mostly petrol.

7 · About average

Suzuki Celerio

Why it ranks here: No clear difference from cars the same age and mileage by our 20% rule (ratio 0.87, 95% CI 0.85–0.89), from 43,189 MOT tests at 8 to 10 years. At typical mileage its rate would be about 20.9% (20.5%–21.3%), against 24.0% for all cars at the same ages; raw (its own ages and mileage) 17.6%. Rank range 5–8.

Check before you buy: fails on visibility 1.6–1.7× as often as cars the same age (6,318 fails in 110,627 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted).

Suits: buyers looking at a city car; the ones tested were mostly petrol.

8 · About average

Skoda Citigo

Why it ranks here: No clear difference from cars the same age and mileage by our 20% rule (ratio 0.89, 95% CI 0.88–0.90), from 122,153 MOT tests at 8 to 12 years. At typical mileage its rate would be about 24.8% (24.5%–25.1%), against 27.9% for all cars at the same ages; raw (its own ages and mileage) 22.1%. Rank range 6–8.

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

Suits: buyers looking at a city car; the ones tested were mostly petrol.

9 · About average

Toyota Yaris

Why it ranks here: No clear difference from cars the same age and mileage by our 20% rule (ratio 0.93, 95% CI 0.93–0.94), from 542,693 MOT tests at 8 to 12 years. At typical mileage its rate would be about 27.2% (27.1%–27.3%), against 29.2% for all cars at the same ages; raw (its own ages and mileage) 24.8%. Rank range 9–12.

Check before you buy: fails on visibility 1.23–1.25× as often as cars the same age (67,336 fails in 1,337,976 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted).

Suits: buyers looking at a supermini; the ones tested were 72% petrol, 23% hybrid.

10 · About average

Skoda Fabia

Why it ranks here: No clear difference from cars the same age and mileage by our 20% rule (ratio 0.93, 95% CI 0.93–0.94), from 326,342 MOT tests at 8 to 12 years. At typical mileage its rate would be about 27.3% (27.1%–27.4%), against 29.2% for all cars at the same ages; raw (its own ages and mileage) 26.1%. Rank range 9–12.

Check before you buy: fails on body and structure 1.2–1.3× as often as cars the same age (22,678 fails in 769,054 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted).

Suits: buyers looking at a supermini; the ones tested were 80% petrol, 20% diesel.

How to choose small cars 8 to 12 years old with this list

Compare like with like: against cars the same age and mileage, this list runs from 30% fewer (BMW i3) to 75% more (Renault Zoe).
4 of the 55 fail at least 20% less often than cars the same age and mileage and 21 at least 20% more often; the other 30 are within that band, or too uncertain to say.
Look at what a model fails on: 5 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.

Free car check by registration The MOT record, the mileage readings and the recall flag in one overview, with how the model does at its MOT.
Check any car's MOT history Every MOT test, fail item, advisory and mileage reading DVSA holds for that registration.
Mileage check by registration The odometer reading from each MOT, with drops, jumps and long gaps flagged.

How we rank

14,708,028 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 small cars 8 to 12 years old have the fewest MOT fails?

18,158 MOT tests at 8 to 11 years put the BMW i3 first: 30% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage; ranks 1 to 3 overlap, so it is level with the Honda Jazz. Next is the Honda Jazz: 29% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage.

Which small cars 8 to 12 years old fail their MOT most often?

12,988 MOT tests at 8 to 11 years put the Renault Zoe last of the 55 in this list: 75% more MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage.

How many small cars 8 to 12 years old are compared?

55 models with at least 1,000 MOT tests at each age counted, 14,708,028 MOT tests in all; 4 fail at least 20% less often than cars the same age and mileage and 21 at least 20% more often.

Sources

Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2022 to 2025. DVSA MOT data, Open Government Licence v3.0, 14,708,028 MOT tests. Accessed 7 Oct 2026.