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Research Reports

Free insights from UK MOT data

Our Research Reports are a free resource built from the same UK DVSA MOT dataset that powers CARMOTIQ's research tools.

They highlight MOT pass rates, common MOT failures and recurring defect patterns across popular makes and models, giving used car buyers practical insights before they begin their search.

These articles provide a snapshot of what our data reveals. For personalised comparisons, age-specific analysis and detailed rankings, use CARMOTIQ's research tools.

What you'll discover

Every Research Report explores real MOT trends, including:

  • Typical MOT pass rates
  • The most common reasons vehicles fail
  • Frequently recorded DVSA defect codes
  • How MOT outcomes change as vehicles age
  • Common maintenance and wear-related issues
  • Interesting findings from millions of MOT records

Our aim is simple: to make official MOT data easier to understand, so buyers can make better-informed decisions.

Browse our latest research

Explore our growing collection of reports covering popular makes and models from across the UK market.

Whether you're researching your next car or simply interested in how a particular model performs over time, these free reports offer an evidence-based overview using aggregated DVSA MOT data.

Want to compare cars you're considering?

These free Research Reports provide general information about individual makes and models.

If you're choosing between several vehicles, CARMOTIQ's research tools let you analyse the specific models on your shortlist, compare them at the ages you're considering, explore detailed MOT trends and uncover the evidence behind the rankings.

That's where you'll find the full depth of our research.

About our data

All analysis is based on aggregated UK DVSA MOT records. We examine hundreds of millions of MOT tests and over a billion recorded defects to identify the trends that matter most to used car buyers.

Research Reports summarise selected findings from this dataset. They are intended for general information and do not analyse individual vehicles or replace a vehicle history check.

Alfa Romeo

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Giulia · 2016–2021Used Alfa Romeo Giulia MOT report from UK DVSA tests (5–10 years old (registration era)): 86.7% pass rate across 29,097 tests, common faults,…

Aston Martin

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Vanquish · 2016–2021Used Aston Martin Vanquish MOT report from UK DVSA tests (5–10 years old (registration era)): 95.6% pass rate across 1,236 tests, common faults,…

Audi

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A3 · 2021–2026Used Audi A3 MOT report from UK DVSA tests (0–5 years old (registration era)): 89.7% pass rate across 79,235 tests, common faults, owner-maintenance issues…A4 · 2016–2021Used Audi A4 MOT report from UK DVSA tests at 5–10 years: pass rate, common faults, owner-maintenance issues, wear and tear and systemic patterns.

Bentley

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Continental · 2011–2016Used Bentley Continental MOT report from UK DVSA tests (10–15 years old (registration era)): 92.7% pass rate across 14,580 tests, common faults,…

BMW

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218 · 2016–202187% of BMW 218 MOT tests in this age band end in a pass — but 218,941 defect notes sit behind that headline across 198,901 recorded tests. Most of those notes…218D · 2016–2021If a used BMW 218D is on your shortlist, you have probably already heard the usual pitch: premium badge, sensible diesel economy and MPV practicality in a…3 Series · 2016–2021Used BMW 3 Series MOT report from UK DVSA tests at 5–10 years (320 family stem): pass rate, common faults, maintenance issues and systemic patterns.iX3 · 2016–2021If a used BMW iX3 is on your shortlist, UK reviewers tend to praise its refinement, cabin quality and premium electric-SUV credentials. But what does the…

BYD

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Atto · 2021–2026Used BYD Atto MOT report from UK DVSA tests (0–5 years old (registration era)): 92.4% pass rate across 912 tests, common faults, owner-maintenance issues and…Seal · 2021–2026Used BYD Seal MOT report from UK DVSA tests (0–5 years old (registration era)): 97.3% pass rate across 332 tests, common faults, owner-maintenance issues and…

Citroen

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C3 · 2016–2021Used Citroen C3 MOT report from UK DVSA tests (5–10 years old (registration era)): 85.2% pass rate across 507,446 tests, common faults, owner-maintenance…

Cupra

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Ateca · 2016–202189.9% of recorded MOT tests for the Cupra Ateca passed first time in this extract — but 546 defect notes sit behind that headline. Most of those notes trace…FORMENTOR · 2016–2021The Cupra Formentor first registered 2016–2021 has a 90.1% MOT pass rate, with 4,103 recorded notes for tyres worn close to the legal limit or worn on the…

Ferrari

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F8 · 2016–2021A 94.2% MOT pass rate sits behind the Ferrari F8 in our 2016–2021 registration extract — but the defect notes that do appear tell a clear story about what to…

Ford

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Fiesta · 2016–2021Used Ford Fiesta MOT report from UK DVSA tests (5–10 years old (registration era)): 83.9% pass rate across 2.4 million tests, common faults, owner-maintenance…Focus · 2016–2021Used Ford Focus MOT report from UK DVSA tests at 5–10 years: pass rate, common faults, owner-maintenance issues, wear and tear, and systemic defect patterns.…

Honda

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CR-V · 2016–2021Used Honda CR-V MOT report from UK DVSA tests (5–10 years old (registration era)): 90.4% pass rate across 246,880 tests, common faults, owner-maintenance…

Land Rover

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Defender · 2011–2016Used Land Rover Defender MOT report from UK DVSA tests (10–15 years old (registration era)): 80% pass rate across 235,065 tests, common faults,…Range Rover Evoque · 2016–2021Press and buyer guides usually cast the Range Rover Evoque as the stylish premium SUV that helped redefine the segment — accomplished on the road, strong on…

Lexus

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RX · 2016–202111,320 MOT defect notes on the Lexus RX come down to one thing: tyres worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge. That figure sits inside a broader…

Mercedes-Benz

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S Class · 2016–202190.7% of Mercedes-Benz S Class MOT tests in this age band end in a pass — a solid headline for a car that magazines still describe as the benchmark luxury…

Nissan

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NOTE · 2016–2021The Nissan Note first registered 2016–2021 has an 87.5% MOT pass rate, with 21,482 defect notes for tyres worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge —…Qashqai · 2016–2021Used Nissan Qashqai MOT report from UK DVSA tests at 5–10 years: pass rate, common faults, owner-maintenance issues and systemic patterns for UK buyers.

Suzuki

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Ignis · 2016–202188.2% of Suzuki Ignis MOT tests in this age band end in a pass — but 105,566 defect notes sit behind that headline, and most of them trace back to upkeep…

Tesla

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Model Y · 2016–2021Used Tesla Model Y MOT report from UK DVSA tests (5–10 years old (registration era)): 87% pass rate across 2,838 tests, common faults, owner-maintenance…

Toyota

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Camry · 2016–2021Tyres — worn close to the limit or feathered on the edge — account for 743 MOT defect notes on UK Toyota Camry cars in the 2016–2021 registration band,…Verso · 2016–2021The Verso rarely wins style points in UK road tests, but it earns respect as a trustworthy family hauler with clever seating and sensible running costs. That…Yaris · 2011–2016Used Toyota Yaris MOT report from UK DVSA tests (10???15 years old (registration era)): 82.9% pass rate across 1.6 million tests, common faults,…Yaris · 2016–2021Used Toyota Yaris MOT report from UK DVSA tests (5–10 years old (registration era)): 88.2% pass rate across 746,371 tests, common faults, owner-maintenance…

Volkswagen

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Golf · 2017–2022Used Volkswagen Golf MOT report from UK DVSA tests covering the 2017–2022 era (combined 0–5 and 5–10 year bands): pass rate, common faults, maintenance issues…

Frequently asked questions

What are CARMOTIQ Research Reports?

Free model-level summaries of UK DVSA MOT outcomes — pass rates, common defect notes, and age-band patterns — built from the same corpus as CARMOTIQ’s research tools (557 million tests).

Do Research Reports analyse a single registration?

No. Each report aggregates MOT outcomes for a make and model in a fixed UK registration age band. Use GOV.UK for the car you are about to buy.

How do I go deeper than a free report?

Use CARMOTIQ Compare, age-band analytics, and other research tools when you want side-by-side shortlists or more detailed MOT trend analysis for the models you are considering.