Common problems
Common car problems by make and model
What MOT testers find on 518 models: the parts that fail or get advisories most often at each age, against all cars of the same age. From DVSA MOT tests taken 2022 to 2025. Pick a make, then a model.
MOT data updated
Makes
- Abarth 2 models
- Alfa Romeo 9 models
- Aston Martin 3 models
- Audi 17 models
- Bentley 2 models
- BMW 23 models
- Chevrolet 9 models
- Chrysler 5 models
- Citroen 18 models
- Dacia 3 models
- Daihatsu 2 models
- Dodge 2 models
- DS 4 models
- Ferrari 1 model
- Fiat 17 models
- Ford 25 models
- Honda 12 models
- Hyundai 18 models
- Infiniti 2 models
- Isuzu 4 models
- Iveco 1 model
- Jaguar 10 models
- Jeep 8 models
- Kia 15 models
- Land Rover 9 models
- LDV 1 model
- LEVC 1 model
- Lexus 9 models
- London Taxis International 1 model
- Lotus 1 model
- Maserati 2 models
- Mazda 11 models
- Mercedes-Benz 29 models
- MG 9 models
- MINI 6 models
- Mitsubishi 11 models
- Nissan 20 models
- Perodua 1 model
- Peugeot 24 models
- Porsche 7 models
- Renault 17 models
- Rover 4 models
- Saab 2 models
- SEAT 11 models
- Skoda 11 models
- Smart 4 models
- SsangYong 5 models
- Subaru 6 models
- Suzuki 13 models
- Tesla 3 models
- Toyota 24 models
- Vauxhall 19 models
- Volkswagen 29 models
- Volvo 16 models
Models with the most MOT tests
- Ford Fiesta
- Ford Focus
- Vauxhall Corsa
- Volkswagen Golf
- Vauxhall Astra
- MINI Cooper and One
- Volkswagen Polo
- Nissan Qashqai
- BMW 3 Series
- Toyota Yaris
- Audi A3
- BMW 1 Series
- Mercedes-Benz C-Class
- Fiat 500
- Mercedes-Benz A-Class
- Honda Jazz
- Renault Clio
- Ford Transit
- Nissan Juke
- Honda Civic
- Ford Kuga
- Volkswagen Transporter
- Kia Sportage
- Audi A4
All cars at 10 years: problems by part
| Area | Fails | Advisories and minor defects |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 11.2 | 5.9 |
| Suspension | 9.7 | 18.2 |
| Tyres | 6.9 | 26.4 |
| Brakes | 6.5 | 21.6 |
| Windscreen, wipers and mirrors | 4.4 | 3.9 |
| Body and structure | 2.9 | 3.9 |
| Exhaust, emissions and leaks | 2.8 | 4.0 |
| Steering | 2.1 | 2.4 |
| Seat belts and airbags | 0.7 | 0.4 |
| Road wheels | 0.4 | 0.8 |
| Number plates and VIN | 0.3 | 2.0 |
Most common fail items at 10 years
| Item | Area | Per 100 MOTs |
|---|---|---|
| Coil spring broken | Suspension | 3.2 |
| Tyre tread below 1.6 mm | Tyres | 2.7 |
| Side/position light not working | Lights and electrics | 2.4 |
| Brake pads under 1.5 mm | Brakes | 2.1 |
| Brake light not working | Lights and electrics | 2.0 |
| Wipers not clearing screen | Windscreen, wipers and mirrors | 1.8 |
| Suspension ball joint worn | Suspension | 1.8 |
| Dipped headlight not working | Lights and electrics | 1.7 |
| Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid | Windscreen, wipers and mirrors | 1.5 |
| Tyre with cords exposed | Tyres | 1.4 |
Most common advisories and minor defects at 10 years
| Item | Area | Per 100 MOTs |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | Tyres | 17.0 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | Brakes | 9.6 |
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing | Tyres | 8.6 |
| Brake pads: wearing thin | Brakes | 8.1 |
| Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement | Suspension | 5.8 |
| Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive | Exhaust, emissions and leaks | 3.4 |
| Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil | Suspension | 3.4 |
| Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources | Lights and electrics | 3.2 |
| Coil spring: corroded | Suspension | 2.9 |
| Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material | Brakes | 2.8 |
How to read these pages
Each model page shows how many of every 100 MOTs found a fail or an advisory in each part area, at every age with at least 1,000 tests, next to the figure for all cars of the same age. A model needs at least 3 such ages to get a page. For pass and fail rates by model, see MOT fail rates.
The all cars figures cover all class 4 vehicles (cars and light vans) tested at the same age.
Looking at a used car?
These figures describe the model, not the car in front of you. Found one you might buy? See what the VetTheCar Buying Report covers, or use the tools that work without a registration.
See a sample report Car tools · MOT fail rates by model · Compare models by MOT record
Source
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data, class 4 normal MOT tests, 2022 to 2025. MOT data updated 28 September 2026.
Not affiliated with or endorsed by DVSA. How we calculate these figures · Data sources