What are the most common MOT failures?
These categories come from DVSA defect notes on 5–10 year used cars in our make hubs. A note is a recorded line on a test, not a car and not a failed test. Use the examples to see which models show a high share of that group, then Compare two models or open the make hub.
Data created
Owner maintenance
Defect notes grouped as owner-maintenance items — often lamps, washers, tyre condition and overdue servicing.
- Honda Jazz
78.3% of defect notes · 287,869 notes · 447k tests · 91.7% pass rate
- MINI Cooper
78% of defect notes · 632,471 notes · 910k tests · 88.8% pass rate
- Honda Civic
77.9% of defect notes · 270,567 notes · 321k tests · 88.1% pass rate
- MINI ONE
76.6% of defect notes · 74,035 notes · 101k tests · 88% pass rate
- MINI Countryman
76% of defect notes · 176,899 notes · 254k tests · 89.1% pass rate
Wear and tear
Defect notes grouped as wear-and-tear — items that typically accumulate with mileage and age.
- Nissan Micra
27.2% of defect notes · 113,426 notes · 288k tests · 83.7% pass rate
- Volkswagen Polo
24% of defect notes · 331,964 notes · 1.1M tests · 85.1% pass rate
- Skoda Fabia
23.6% of defect notes · 142,131 notes · 450k tests · 85.3% pass rate
- Peugeot 2008
23.3% of defect notes · 162,543 notes · 462k tests · 83.5% pass rate
- Nissan X-Trail
23.3% of defect notes · 108,282 notes · 288k tests · 84.1% pass rate
Systemic patterns
Defect notes grouped as systemic wording — recurring fleet patterns rather than a one-off skip of a service.
- Ford Transit
10% of defect notes · 471,329 notes · 2.7M tests · 79.9% pass rate
- Peugeot Partner
6.2% of defect notes · 44,298 notes · 434k tests · 77.1% pass rate
- Nissan Juke
5.3% of defect notes · 51,714 notes · 778k tests · 85% pass rate
- Volkswagen Transporter
5.1% of defect notes · 33,361 notes · 509k tests · 82.9% pass rate
- Peugeot 2008
4.9% of defect notes · 33,928 notes · 462k tests · 83.5% pass rate
Other recorded notes
Defect notes that do not sit cleanly in the three groups above. Still notes, not a count of cars or failed tests.
- Volkswagen Transporter
22.4% of defect notes · 146,609 notes · 509k tests · 82.9% pass rate
- Vauxhall Mokka
21.3% of defect notes · 223,250 notes · 808k tests · 82.6% pass rate
- Vauxhall Vivaro
20% of defect notes · 194,734 notes · 560k tests · 76.8% pass rate
- Audi A4
19.8% of defect notes · 115,080 notes · 478k tests · 86.5% pass rate
- Peugeot Partner
18.3% of defect notes · 131,958 notes · 434k tests · 77.1% pass rate
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