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

SUVs with the fewest MOT fails at 8 to 12 years

DVSA MOT tests 2022–2025 · 8,485,373 MOT tests · Updated

Lexus RX has the fewest MOT fails among SUVs 8 to 12 years old: 53% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (35,019 MOT tests) [1].

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  • 74 models ranked, 26 with at least 20% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (95% interval, at 3 or more ages), from 8,485,373 MOT tests [1]
  • Lexus NX is next: 50% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (22,925 MOT tests)
  • SsangYong Korando is last of the 74: 45% more MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (13,602 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: Lexus RX, 53% fewer fails than cars the same age and mileage
  • #2 for fewest MOT fails: Lexus NX, 50% fewer fails than cars the same age and mileage
  • #3 for fewest MOT fails: Porsche Cayenne, 49% fewer fails than cars the same age and mileage
  • #4 for fewest MOT fails: Porsche Macan, 49% 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.

SUVs 8 to 12 years old: the ranking

Ranked by MOT fails against cars the same age and mileage, from 74 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.

SUVs 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% moreLexus RX: 53% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (ratio 0.47, 95% CI 0.46 to 0.48), 35,019 MOT tests1. Lexus RXLexus NX: 50% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (ratio 0.50, 95% CI 0.49 to 0.52), 22,925 MOT tests2. Lexus NXPorsche Cayenne: 49% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (ratio 0.51, 95% CI 0.50 to 0.52), 40,058 MOT tests3. Porsche CayennePorsche Macan: 49% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (ratio 0.51, 95% CI 0.50 to 0.53), 29,239 MOT tests4. Porsche MacanMercedes-Benz GLE: 46% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (ratio 0.54, 95% CI 0.52 to 0.56), 18,865 MOT tests5. Mercedes-Benz GLEMercedes-Benz GL-Class: 45% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (ratio 0.55, 95% CI 0.52 to 0.58), 7,256 MOT tests6. Mercedes-Benz GL-ClassBMW X5: 45% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (ratio 0.55, 95% CI 0.55 to 0.56), 98,427 MOT tests7. BMW X5Toyota Land Cruiser: 44% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (ratio 0.56, 95% CI 0.53 to 0.58), 10,828 MOT tests8. Toyota Land CruiserAudi Q7: 43% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (ratio 0.57, 95% CI 0.56 to 0.58), 62,478 MOT tests9. Audi Q7BMW X6: 42% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (ratio 0.58, 95% CI 0.57 to 0.60), 24,300 MOT tests10. BMW X6Honda CR-V: 40% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (ratio 0.60, 95% CI 0.60 to 0.61), 267,494 MOT tests11. Honda CR-VMercedes-Benz M-Class: 37% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (ratio 0.63, 95% CI 0.62 to 0.64), 58,916 MOT tests12. Mercedes-Benz M-ClassAudi Q5: 37% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (ratio 0.63, 95% CI 0.63 to 0.64), 152,058 MOT tests13. Audi Q5Land Rover Range Rover: 36% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (ratio 0.64, 95% CI 0.63 to 0.65), 121,262 MOT tests14. Land Rover Range RoverMINI Paceman: 35% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (ratio 0.65, 95% CI 0.63 to 0.67), 25,766 MOT tests15. MINI PacemanLand Rover Range Rover Sport: 34% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (ratio 0.66, 95% CI 0.65 to 0.66), 161,856 MOT tests16. Land Rover Range Rove…Mercedes-Benz GLC: 32% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (ratio 0.68, 95% CI 0.67 to 0.70), 34,625 MOT tests17. Mercedes-Benz GLCToyota RAV4: 31% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (ratio 0.69, 95% CI 0.68 to 0.69), 110,393 MOT tests18. Toyota RAV4Land Rover Range Rover Evoque: 31% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (ratio 0.69, 95% CI 0.69 to 0.70), 292,041 MOT tests19. Land Rover Range Rove…Honda HR-V: 31% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (ratio 0.69, 95% CI 0.67 to 0.71), 27,668 MOT tests20. Honda HR-V
Top 20 of 74. 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
1certainLexus RXlarge SUV53% fewer fails (52–54% fewer)14.0%all cars: 29.9%14.6%35,019at 8 to 12 yearsLexus RX MOT fail rate · Lexus RX common problems
22–5Lexus NXfamily SUV50% fewer fails (48–51% fewer)12.2%all cars: 24.2%12.3%22,925at 8 to 10 yearsLexus NX MOT fail rate · Lexus NX common problems
32–5Porsche Cayennelarge SUV49% fewer fails (48–50% fewer)14.8%all cars: 28.9%15.7%40,058at 8 to 12 yearsPorsche Cayenne MOT fail rate · Porsche Cayenne common problems
42–6Porsche Macanfamily SUV49% fewer fails (47–50% fewer)12.5%all cars: 24.4%12.6%29,239at 8 to 11 yearsPorsche Macan MOT fail rate · Porsche Macan common problems
54–9Mercedes-Benz GLElarge SUV46% fewer fails (44–48% fewer)12.6%all cars: 23.1%13.4%18,865at 8 to 10 yearsMercedes-Benz GLE MOT fail rate · Mercedes-Benz GLE common problems
62–10Mercedes-Benz GL-Classlarge SUV45% fewer fails (42–48% fewer)16.0%all cars: 29.2%17.4%7,256at 8 to 12 yearsMercedes-Benz GL-Class common problems
75–9BMW X5large SUV45% fewer fails (44–45% fewer)15.9%all cars: 28.7%17.3%98,427at 8 to 12 yearsBMW X5 MOT fail rate · BMW X5 common problems
85–10Toyota Land Cruiserlarge SUV44% fewer fails (42–47% fewer)16.2%all cars: 29.2%17.1%10,828at 8 to 12 yearsToyota Land Cruiser MOT fail rate · Toyota Land Cruiser common problems
95–10Audi Q7large SUV43% fewer fails (42–44% fewer)16.1%all cars: 28.4%17.7%62,478at 8 to 12 yearsAudi Q7 MOT fail rate · Audi Q7 common problems
107–11BMW X6large SUV42% fewer fails (40–43% fewer)16.8%all cars: 28.8%18.2%24,300at 8 to 12 yearsBMW X6 MOT fail rate · BMW X6 common problems
1110–11Honda CR-Vfamily SUV40% fewer fails (39–40% fewer)17.6%all cars: 29.3%18.3%267,494at 8 to 12 yearsHonda CR-V MOT fail rate · Honda CR-V common problems
1212–15Mercedes-Benz M-Classlarge SUV37% fewer fails (36–38% fewer)19.4%all cars: 30.7%20.7%58,916at 8 to 12 yearsMercedes-Benz M-Class MOT fail rate · Mercedes-Benz M-Class common problems
1312–15Audi Q5family SUV37% fewer fails (36–37% fewer)17.9%all cars: 28.2%19.3%152,058at 8 to 12 yearsAudi Q5 MOT fail rate · Audi Q5 common problems
1412–15Land Rover Range Roverlarge SUV36% fewer fails (35–37% fewer)18.8%all cars: 29.4%20.2%121,262at 8 to 12 yearsLand Rover Range Rover MOT fail rate · Land Rover Range Rover common problems
1512–17MINI Pacemansmall SUV35% fewer fails (33–37% fewer)17.7%all cars: 27.2%17.2%25,766at 8 to 11 yearsMINI Paceman MOT fail rate · MINI Paceman common problems
1615–16Land Rover Range Rover Sportlarge SUV34% fewer fails (34–35% fewer)18.8%all cars: 28.6%20.2%161,856at 8 to 12 yearsLand Rover Range Rover Sport MOT fail rate · Land Rover Range Rover Sport common problems
1716–21Mercedes-Benz GLCfamily SUV32% fewer fails (30–33% fewer)15.5%all cars: 22.6%16.5%34,625at 8 to 10 yearsMercedes-Benz GLC MOT fail rate · Mercedes-Benz GLC common problems
1817–21Toyota RAV4family SUV31% fewer fails (31–32% fewer)19.7%all cars: 28.7%20.4%110,393at 8 to 12 yearsToyota RAV4 MOT fail rate · Toyota RAV4 common problems
1917–21Land Rover Range Rover Evoquefamily SUV31% fewer fails (30–31% fewer)19.2%all cars: 27.8%20.3%292,041at 8 to 12 yearsLand Rover Range Rover Evoque MOT fail rate · Land Rover Range Rover Evoque common problems
2017–22Honda HR-V (first used from 2015)small SUV31% fewer fails (29–33% fewer)16.2%all cars: 23.4%15.7%27,668at 8 to 10 yearsHonda HR-V MOT fail rate · Honda HR-V common problems
Show all 74 models

Ranks 21 to 74, against cars the same age and mileage. 38 of them are about average (within 20% once sampling error is allowed for).

  1. MINI Countryman, 30% fewer
  2. Land Rover Freelander, 29% fewer
  3. Land Rover Discovery, 28% fewer
  4. Volkswagen Touareg, 28% fewer
  5. Jeep Grand Cherokee, 26% fewer
  6. BMW X4, about average
  7. BMW X1, 24% fewer
  8. Suzuki Grand Vitara, about average
  9. Land Rover Discovery Sport, about average
  10. Audi Q3, about average
  11. Volkswagen Tiguan, about average
  12. BMW X3, about average
  13. Skoda Yeti, about average
  14. Mercedes-Benz GLA, about average
  15. Volvo XC60, about average
  16. Suzuki Vitara (first used from 2015), about average
  17. Volvo XC90, about average
  18. Mitsubishi Shogun, about average
  19. Ford Kuga, about average
  20. Mazda CX-5, about average
  21. Mitsubishi ASX, about average
  22. Mazda CX-3, about average
  23. Hyundai Tucson (first used from 2015), about average
  24. Subaru XV, about average
  25. Subaru Forester, about average
  26. Mitsubishi Outlander, about average
  27. Land Rover Defender (first used before 2020), about average
  28. Jeep Cherokee (first used from 2014), about average
  29. Suzuki Jimny, about average
  30. Suzuki SX4, about average
  31. Kia Sportage, about average
  32. Kia Sorento, about average
  33. Kia Soul, about average
  34. Hyundai ix35, about average
  35. Hyundai Santa Fe, about average
  36. Chevrolet Trax, about average
  37. Nissan X-Trail, about average
  38. Jeep Wrangler, about average
  39. Jeep Compass (first used before 2017), about average
  40. Nissan Qashqai, about average
  41. Nissan Pathfinder, about average
  42. Renault Captur, about average
  43. Chevrolet Captiva, about average
  44. Renault Kadjar, about average
  45. Jeep Renegade, 27% more
  46. Peugeot 3008, 28% more
  47. Vauxhall Mokka, 29% more
  48. Fiat 500X, 29% more
  49. Nissan Juke, 29% more
  50. Dacia Duster, 33% more
  51. Peugeot 2008, 34% more
  52. Vauxhall Antara, 35% more
  53. Ford EcoSport, 36% more
  54. SsangYong Korando, 45% more

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The top 10 in this list, model by model

1 · 53% fewer MOT fails

Lexus RX

Why it ranks here: 53% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (ratio 0.47, 95% CI 0.46–0.48), from 35,019 MOT tests at 8 to 12 years. At typical mileage its rate would be about 14.0% (13.7%–14.4%), against 29.9% for all cars at the same ages; raw (its own ages and mileage) 14.6%. Rank range 1–1.

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 large SUV; the ones tested were mostly hybrid.

2 · 50% fewer MOT fails

Lexus NX

Why it ranks here: 50% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (ratio 0.50, 95% CI 0.49–0.52), from 22,925 MOT tests at 8 to 10 years. At typical mileage its rate would be about 12.2% (11.8%–12.6%), against 24.2% for all cars at the same ages; raw (its own ages and mileage) 12.3%. Rank range 2–5.

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 family SUV; the ones tested were mostly hybrid.

3 · 49% fewer MOT fails

Porsche Cayenne

Why it ranks here: 49% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (ratio 0.51, 95% CI 0.50–0.52), from 40,058 MOT tests at 8 to 12 years. At typical mileage its rate would be about 14.8% (14.4%–15.1%), against 28.9% for all cars at the same ages; raw (its own ages and mileage) 15.7%. Rank range 2–5.

Check before you buy: fails on number plates and VIN 2.2–2.6× as often as cars the same age (647 fails in 99,151 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted).

Suits: buyers looking at a large SUV; the ones tested were 44% petrol, 43% diesel.

4 · 49% fewer MOT fails

Porsche Macan

Why it ranks here: 49% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (ratio 0.51, 95% CI 0.50–0.53), from 29,239 MOT tests at 8 to 11 years. At typical mileage its rate would be about 12.5% (12.2%–12.9%), against 24.4% for all cars at the same ages; raw (its own ages and mileage) 12.6%. Rank range 2–6.

Check before you buy: fails on number plates and VIN 1.7–2.1× as often as cars the same age (492 fails in 115,297 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted).

Suits: buyers looking at a family SUV; the ones tested were 70% petrol, 30% diesel.

5 · 46% fewer MOT fails

Mercedes-Benz GLE

Why it ranks here: 46% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (ratio 0.54, 95% CI 0.52–0.56), from 18,865 MOT tests at 8 to 10 years. At typical mileage its rate would be about 12.6% (12.1%–13.1%), against 23.1% for all cars at the same ages; raw (its own ages and mileage) 13.4%. Rank range 4–9.

Check before you buy: fails on number plates and VIN 2.6–3.0× as often as cars the same age (699 fails in 113,268 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted); fails on road wheels 1.4–1.7× as often as cars the same age (395 fails in 113,268 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted).

Suits: buyers looking at a large SUV; the ones tested were mostly diesel.

6 · 45% fewer MOT fails

Mercedes-Benz GL-Class

Why it ranks here: 45% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (ratio 0.55, 95% CI 0.52–0.58), from 7,256 MOT tests at 8 to 12 years. At typical mileage its rate would be about 16.0% (15.2%–16.8%), against 29.2% for all cars at the same ages; raw (its own ages and mileage) 17.4%. Rank range 2–10.

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 large SUV; the ones tested were mostly diesel.

7 · 45% fewer MOT fails

BMW X5

Why it ranks here: 45% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (ratio 0.55, 95% CI 0.55–0.56), from 98,427 MOT tests at 8 to 12 years. At typical mileage its rate would be about 15.9% (15.7%–16.1%), against 28.7% for all cars at the same ages; raw (its own ages and mileage) 17.3%. Rank range 5–9.

Check before you buy: fails on number plates and VIN 2.1–2.3× as often as cars the same age (1,744 fails in 283,682 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted); fails on road wheels 2.1–2.3× as often as cars the same age (2,033 fails in 283,682 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted).

Suits: buyers looking at a large SUV; the ones tested were mostly diesel.

8 · 44% fewer MOT fails

Toyota Land Cruiser

Why it ranks here: 44% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (ratio 0.56, 95% CI 0.53–0.58), from 10,828 MOT tests at 8 to 12 years. At typical mileage its rate would be about 16.2% (15.6%–16.9%), against 29.2% for all cars at the same ages; raw (its own ages and mileage) 17.1%. Rank range 5–10.

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 large SUV; the ones tested were mostly diesel.

9 · 43% fewer MOT fails

Audi Q7

Why it ranks here: 43% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (ratio 0.57, 95% CI 0.56–0.58), from 62,478 MOT tests at 8 to 12 years. At typical mileage its rate would be about 16.1% (15.8%–16.4%), against 28.4% for all cars at the same ages; raw (its own ages and mileage) 17.7%. Rank range 5–10.

Check before you buy: fails on number plates and VIN 2.1–2.3× as often as cars the same age (1,039 fails in 173,496 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted); fails on road wheels 1.2–1.4× as often as cars the same age (736 fails in 173,496 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted).

Suits: buyers looking at a large SUV; the ones tested were mostly diesel.

10 · 42% fewer MOT fails

BMW X6

Why it ranks here: 42% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (ratio 0.58, 95% CI 0.57–0.60), from 24,300 MOT tests at 8 to 12 years. At typical mileage its rate would be about 16.8% (16.4%–17.3%), against 28.8% for all cars at the same ages; raw (its own ages and mileage) 18.2%. Rank range 7–11.

Check before you buy: fails on number plates and VIN 2.8–3.3× as often as cars the same age (515 fails in 60,064 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted); fails on road wheels 2.0–2.4× as often as cars the same age (448 fails in 60,064 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted).

Suits: buyers looking at a large SUV; the ones tested were mostly diesel.

How to choose SUVs 8 to 12 years old with this list

  • Compare like with like: against cars the same age and mileage, this list runs from 53% fewer (Lexus RX) to 45% more (SsangYong Korando).
  • 26 of the 74 fail at least 20% less often than cars the same age and mileage and 10 at least 20% more often; the other 38 are within that band, or too uncertain to say.
  • Look at what a model fails on: 6 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

8,485,373 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 SUVs 8 to 12 years old have the fewest MOT fails?

35,019 MOT tests at 8 to 12 years put the Lexus RX first: 53% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage. Next is the Lexus NX: 50% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage.

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

13,602 MOT tests at 8 to 11 years put the SsangYong Korando last of the 74 in this list: 45% more MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage.

How many SUVs 8 to 12 years old are compared?

74 models with at least 1,000 MOT tests at each age counted, 8,485,373 MOT tests in all; 26 fail at least 20% less often than cars the same age and mileage and 10 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, 8,485,373 MOT tests. Accessed 7 Oct 2026.