04/07/2024
For many drivers across the United Kingdom, the annual MOT test can be a source of significant anxiety. It's not just about the inconvenience of being without your vehicle; it's the daunting prospect of unexpected, costly repairs that can quickly run into hundreds of pounds. Nobody wants to hear those dreaded words: 'Your car has failed its MOT.' But what if some cars are simply more prone to failing than others? What if the car sitting on your driveway is statistically a problem waiting to happen?
We've delved into exclusive data from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) and comprehensive analyses of over 33 million MOT test results to reveal the makes and models with the lowest pass rates. This isn't just about naming and shaming; it's about equipping you with the knowledge to understand the risks associated with certain vehicles and, crucially, how to keep your own car safe and roadworthy. From popular hatchbacks to forgotten budget-friendly models, prepare to be surprised by which vehicles are most likely to cost their owners a pretty penny.
- The MOT: A Critical Check-Up for UK Roads
- The Unfortunate Ten: DVSA's First Attempt Failures
- Beyond the First Attempt: Broader MOT Performance Trends
- How Do UK's Best-Selling Cars Fare?
- Brand Performance: A Wider View
- The Supercar Paradox: High Pass Rates for High Performance
- Understanding MOT Failures: Common Causes and What to Do
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Conclusion
The MOT: A Critical Check-Up for UK Roads
The MOT (Ministry of Transport) test is an annual inspection designed to ensure vehicles over three years old are roadworthy and meet environmental and road safety standards. It's a non-negotiable part of car ownership in the UK, and failing it means your car cannot legally be driven on public roads until the defects are rectified and it passes a retest. The average MOT pass rate across the UK stands at around 71.8 per cent. However, a concerning statistic reveals that 25.9 per cent of cars that fail their first attempt do so due to "dangerous defects." These aren't minor issues; they are faults that pose an immediate risk to road safety, automatically leading to a failure and often significant repair costs.
The Unfortunate Ten: DVSA's First Attempt Failures
Exclusive data from the DVSA has shed light on the cars with the lowest MOT pass rates at the first attempt. These are the vehicles that, when driven into a test centre, are most likely to be rejected outright, often due to significant issues. Many of these models were popular choices in the noughties, meaning tens of thousands of them are still on UK roads today, silently accumulating problems that will surface at their next inspection.
Mitsubishi Space Star (1999 - 2005): With a first-attempt pass rate of just 45.3 per cent, the Mitsubishi Space Star takes the unenviable top spot as the worst car for passing its MOT in Britain. Nearly half of all tested models failed straight away, highlighting persistent issues that owners likely face.
Peugeot 807 (2002-2010): Coming in second, this MPV has a first-attempt pass rate of 46.1 per cent. For a family-oriented vehicle, such a low pass rate could indicate common wear-and-tear issues or structural vulnerabilities over time.
Citroen C8 (2003-2010): The Citroen C8, a sibling to the Peugeot 807, shares a similar fate with a 46.5 per cent first-attempt pass rate. Out of 636 tested, a significant 340 failed, suggesting shared underlying problems.
Dodge Caliber (2006 - 2009): This American-designed crossover has the fourth-worst pass rate at 47.2 per cent. With 291 out of 551 tested models failing, it appears to be a consistent underperformer in the MOT stakes.
Daewoo Matiz (1998- 2005): The compact Daewoo Matiz, once a common sight on city streets, now has a pretty poor first-attempt pass rate of 47.5 per cent. Of 609 tested, 320 failed, indicating that its budget-friendly nature may have come with long-term reliability compromises.
Citroen Grand C4 Picasso (2007-2013): A popular family MPV, the Grand C4 Picasso surprisingly lands sixth on this list with a 47.6 per cent pass rate. Over 1,500 of these models failed their first attempt out of 2,875 tested, which is concerning given its widespread use.
Chevrolet Kalos (2005-2008): Another budget-friendly option from the mid-2000s, the Chevrolet Kalos also registers a 47.6 per cent first-attempt failure rate. Nearly half of the 1,584 tested in 2024 have failed, suggesting common issues as these vehicles age.
Chevrolet Aveo (2002- 2011): The Aveo, often seen as a cheap and cheerful small car, tells a less cheerful story at the MOT centre. With a 48.6 per cent first-attempt pass rate, 2,986 out of 5,791 tested models failed. This highlights potential durability issues over time for this widespread model.
Peugeot 307 (2002-2007): Perhaps one of the most surprising entries, the popular French hatchback, the Peugeot 307, also shares a 48.6 per cent first-attempt pass rate. With nearly 20,000 tested, its presence on this list suggests that its widespread popularity doesn't equate to high MOT success.
Chevrolet Lacetti (2005-2011): Rounding out the top ten is the Chevrolet Lacetti, an early 2000s hatchback. With a 48.9 per cent first-attempt pass rate, 705 out of 1,380 tested so far this year have failed, indicating that even relatively fewer models sold are struggling to pass inspection.
DVSA's Top 10 First-Attempt MOT Failures
| Rank | Car Make & Model | Years of Production | First-Attempt Pass Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mitsubishi Space Star | 1999 - 2005 | 45.3% |
| 2 | Peugeot 807 | 2002-2010 | 46.1% |
| 3 | Citroen C8 | 2003-2010 | 46.5% |
| 4 | Dodge Caliber | 2006 - 2009 | 47.2% |
| 5 | Daewoo Matiz | 1998- 2005 | 47.5% |
| 6 | Citroen Grand C4 Picasso | 2007-2013 | 47.6% |
| 7 | Chevrolet Kalos | 2005-2008 | 47.6% |
| 8 | Chevrolet Aveo | 2002- 2011 | 48.6% |
| 9 | Peugeot 307 | 2002-2007 | 48.6% |
| 10 | Chevrolet Lacetti | 2005-2011 | 48.9% |
Beyond the First Attempt: Broader MOT Performance Trends
While the DVSA data focuses on first-attempt failures, a broader analysis by Tempcover, based on over 33 million MOT test results since 2005, offers another perspective. This data includes passes 'with rectification,' meaning the vehicle passed after immediate repairs were made during the test. This comprehensive view gives us a different set of top and bottom performers, reflecting overall reliability and ease of fixing minor issues.
Tempcover's Top & Bottom Five MOT Performers (Including Rectification)
| Rank | Car Make & Model (Best) | Pass Rate | Car Make & Model (Worst) | Pass Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Honda Jazz Crosstar EX i-MMD CVT | 97.19% | Peugeot 807 | 52.66% |
| 2 | Ferrari 488 | 97.07% | Citroen C8 | 52.71% |
| 3 | Peugeot Expert S L1 BlueHDi | 97.03% | Mitsubishi Space Star | 53.17% |
| 4 | Honda Jazz EX i-MMD CVT | 96.67% | Fiat Stilo | 54.42% |
| 5 | Suzuki Swift SZ3 Dualjet SHVS | 96.66% | Chevrolet Kalos | 54.52% |
Interestingly, some names from the DVSA's 'worst offenders' list reappear here, such as the Peugeot 807, Citroen C8, Mitsubishi Space Star, and Chevrolet Kalos. This reinforces the notion that these models consistently struggle with MOT compliance, even with the possibility of immediate rectification. On the flip side, modern hybrids and commercial vehicles, alongside high-end sports cars, demonstrate exceptional pass rates, suggesting robust engineering and perhaps more diligent maintenance from their owners.
How Do UK's Best-Selling Cars Fare?
It's one thing to look at overall statistics, but what about the cars that are most common on our roads today? Tempcover's analysis also drilled down into the MOT performance of the UK's best-selling car models. This gives a clearer picture for a large segment of the driving population.
Among the top-selling models, the MG HS stands out with an impressive 91.86% pass rate, indicating strong reliability for a popular choice. This is followed closely by the Volvo XC40, a testament to Volvo's reputation for safety and durability. However, not all best-sellers perform equally well. The Ford Puma, despite its popularity, shows the lowest pass rate among this group at 63.49%, suggesting it might develop more issues over time compared to its contemporaries.
MOT Pass Rates for UK's Best-Selling Car Models
| Rank | Car Make | Car Model | Pass Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | MG | HS Exclusive | 91.86% |
| 2 | Volvo | XC40 | 91.30% |
| 3 | Hyundai | Tucson | 85.59% |
| 4 | Kia | Sportage | 80.92% |
| 5 | Volkswagen | Golf | 77.16% |
| 6 | Nissan | Qashqai | 74.92% |
| 7 | Nissan | Juke | 74.49% |
| 8 | Volkswagen | Polo | 72.59% |
| 9 | Ford | Puma | 63.49% |
Brand Performance: A Wider View
Beyond individual models, how do entire car brands measure up in terms of MOT pass rates? This broader perspective can inform future purchasing decisions or simply provide reassurance (or concern) about your current vehicle's manufacturer. The data reveals a wide spectrum of performance across the industry.
At the top end, premium and electric-focused brands like Polestar (89.97%), Porsche (87.98%), and Lexus (87.22%) demonstrate high pass rates, often reflecting superior build quality and perhaps more fastidious owner maintenance. Conversely, some more budget-oriented or older mainstream brands like Renault (67.73%), Citroen (70.78%), and Alfa Romeo (71.29%) show lower average pass rates, indicating that their vehicles might be more susceptible to common MOT failures as they age.
Overall MOT Pass Rates by Car Brand (UK Best-Sellers)
| Rank | Car Brand | Pass Rate | Rank | Car Brand | Pass Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Polestar | 89.97% | 18 | Kia | 78.67% |
| 2 | Porsche | 87.98% | 19 | SEAT | 78.37% |
| 3 | Lexus | 87.22% | 20 | Honda | 78.18% |
| 4 | Tesla | 84.03% | 21 | DS | 77.63% |
| 5 | BMW | 81.83% | 22 | Subaru | 77.44% |
| 6 | MG | 81.47% | 23 | Volvo | 77.00% |
| 7 | Jaguar | 81.19% | 24 | Volkswagen | 76.48% |
| 8 | Audi | 81.11% | 25 | Mazda | 76.41% |
| 9 | MINI | 80.96% | 26 | smart | 75.46% |
| 10 | Skoda | 80.94% | 27 | Ford | 74.77% |
| 11 | Toyota | 80.57% | 28 | Nissan | 74.21% |
| 12 | Mercedes-Benz | 80.15% | 29 | Fiat | 73.51% |
| 13 | Land Rover | 79.99% | 30 | Peugeot | 73.07% |
| 14 | Dacia | 79.67% | 31 | Vauxhall | 71.88% |
| 15 | Suzuki | 79.15% | 32 | Alfa Romeo | 71.29% |
| 16 | Hyundai | 78.81% | 33 | Citroen | 70.78% |
| 17 | Jeep | 78.70% | 34 | Renault | 67.73% |
The Supercar Paradox: High Pass Rates for High Performance
For those who dream of driving a supercar, there's some reassuring news when it comes to MOTs. These high-performance vehicles tend to achieve exceptionally high pass rates. Brands like Lamborghini (95.81%), McLaren (94.93%), and Ferrari (94.92%) consistently lead the charts. This is likely due to several factors: meticulous engineering, low mileage, and the fact that owners of such valuable vehicles typically invest heavily in their regular, specialist maintenance, ensuring they remain in peak condition.
Understanding MOT Failures: Common Causes and What to Do
Regardless of your car's make or model, certain components are more likely to cause an MOT failure. Being aware of these common culprits can help you perform pre-MOT checks and potentially avoid costly retests. Typical failure points include:
Lights: Blown bulbs, incorrect beam patterns, or damaged lenses are incredibly common and easily fixable issues.
Tyres: Insufficient tread depth (below 1.6mm), damage to the sidewall, or incorrect tyre pressure can all lead to a failure and are critical for safety.
Brakes: Worn brake pads or discs, uneven braking force, or issues with the handbrake system are frequent causes of failure.
Suspension: Worn shock absorbers, broken springs, or damaged bushes can affect handling and stability.
Visibility: Cracks in the windscreen within the driver's view, damaged wipers, or faulty washer jets can impair visibility.
Emissions: High exhaust emissions, particularly for older vehicles, can lead to a failure, often indicating engine issues.
If your car fails its MOT, the outcome depends on the type of defect:
Minor Defects: These are noted as advisories, and the car passes. You should get them fixed soon.
Major Defects: The car fails its MOT. You cannot drive it until the defects are repaired and it passes a retest, unless you are driving it to a pre-arranged repair appointment or to another MOT test.
Dangerous Defects: The car fails its MOT, and it is illegal to drive it on the road in this condition, even to a garage. You must have it repaired before it can be driven again.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is an MOT test?
An MOT test is an annual inspection required for most vehicles over three years old in the UK. It checks that your vehicle meets road safety and environmental standards. It is not the same as a service; it does not check the mechanical condition of the engine, clutch, or gearbox.
What are "dangerous defects" in an MOT test?
Dangerous defects are faults identified during an MOT that pose an immediate risk to road safety or the environment. If your vehicle has a dangerous defect, it will fail its MOT, and it is illegal to drive it on public roads until the defect has been properly repaired and the vehicle has passed a retest.
Can I drive my car if it fails its MOT?
If your car fails its MOT, whether you can drive it depends on the type of defects. If it has 'dangerous' defects, it is illegal to drive it on the road at all. If it has 'major' defects, you can only drive it to a pre-arranged appointment for repairs at a garage or to another MOT test centre. Driving with a failed MOT or dangerous defects can result in fines and points on your licence.
How can I improve my car's chances of passing the MOT?
Many common MOT failures are preventable. Before your test, check all lights (headlights, indicators, brake lights, reverse lights, fog lights), inspect your tyres for adequate tread depth and damage, ensure your windscreen wipers and washer jets work, check your horn, and make sure your fluid levels are correct. Addressing these simple issues can significantly increase your chances of a pass.
Conclusion
The MOT test is a vital part of keeping UK roads safe, and while it can be a stressful experience, understanding your vehicle's potential vulnerabilities can go a long way. Whether you drive a common hatchback that's prone to failing or a reliable, top-performing model, regular maintenance and proactive checks are your best defence against unexpected MOT failures and costly repair bills. By staying informed about which vehicles struggle and why, you can make smarter choices about your next car and ensure your current one remains a safe and reliable companion on your journeys. Don't wait for the red light of failure; be prepared and keep your vehicle in prime condition for the road ahead.
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