MOT Risk Index.co.uk

The 20 worst cars for MOT failure

Ranked by the MOT Risk Index — how much more often a family fails its MOT than its age predicts (100 = normal, 150 = 50% worse). Computed from DVSA initial tests, calendar 2024, age-standardised so old fleets aren't unfairly punished. Same data, opposite end:the most reliable cars.

  1. Trend from 16.5 to 49.4 DS 3 — index 150.2: fails about 50% more often than expected for its age (40.69% of 158,830 tests found a failing defect; most common failure: a transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc).
  2. Trend from 11.8 to 49.0 Renault Clio — index 141.5: fails about 42% more often than expected for its age (41.43% of 473,424 tests found a failing defect; most common failure: a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn).
  3. Trend from 18.3 to 43.6 Vauxhall Corsa — index 123.5: fails about 24% more often than expected for its age (36.66% of 1,191,943 tests found a failing defect; most common failure: steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated).
  4. Trend from 9.7 to 55.2 Nissan Qashqai — index 122.9: fails about 23% more often than expected for its age (30.07% of 800,602 tests found a failing defect; most common failure: a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn).
  5. Trend from 13.8 to 14.8 Tesla Model 3 — index 122.9: fails about 23% more often than expected for its age (14.03% of 116,025 tests found a failing defect; most common failure: tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements).
  6. Trend from 12.3 to 45.3 Ford Fiesta — index 117.8: fails about 18% more often than expected for its age (34.33% of 1,959,383 tests found a failing defect; most common failure: a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn).
  7. Trend from 11.3 to 42.8 Fiat 500 — index 116.2: fails about 16% more often than expected for its age (31.68% of 477,588 tests found a failing defect; most common failure: a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn).
  8. Trend from 10.5 to 49.5 Volkswagen Polo — index 114.8: fails about 15% more often than expected for its age (32.68% of 895,817 tests found a failing defect; most common failure: a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn).
  9. Trend from 8.8 to 31.4 Nissan Leaf — index 109.2: fails about 9% more often than expected for its age (17.69% of 70,882 tests found a failing defect; most common failure: a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn).
  10. Trend from 9.6 to 44.1 Vauxhall Astra — index 109.1: fails about 9% more often than expected for its age (33.71% of 914,157 tests found a failing defect; most common failure: a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened).
  11. Trend from 14.4 to 48.0 Kia Sportage — index 107.8: fails about 8% more often than expected for its age (22.55% of 396,816 tests found a failing defect; most common failure: tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements).
  12. Trend from 12.7 to 48.8 Ford Focus — index 106.9: fails about 7% more often than expected for its age (31.02% of 1,348,944 tests found a failing defect; most common failure: a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn).
  13. Trend from 9.7 to 42.3 Honda Civic — index 100.7: fails about 1% more often than expected for its age (32.3% of 411,763 tests found a failing defect; most common failure: a suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated).
  14. Trend from 6.4 to 46.0 Toyota Yaris — index 95.6: fails about -4% more often than expected for its age (26.89% of 629,646 tests found a failing defect; most common failure: headlamp reflector or lens slightly defective).
  15. Trend from 9.9 to 38.1 Ford Kuga — index 91.3: fails about -9% more often than expected for its age (20.4% of 396,566 tests found a failing defect; most common failure: a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm).
  16. Trend from 8.3 to 45.5 Mercedes A Class — index 91.3: fails about -9% more often than expected for its age (18.83% of 585,107 tests found a failing defect; most common failure: a suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated).
  17. Trend from 9.2 to 40.9 MINI Hatch — index 85.5: fails about -14% more often than expected for its age (23.43% of 1,011,919 tests found a failing defect; most common failure: windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view).
  18. Trend from 7.7 to 40.5 Volkswagen Golf — index 85.1: fails about -15% more often than expected for its age (24.94% of 1,323,641 tests found a failing defect; most common failure: a transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot severely deteriorated).
  19. Trend from 7.6 to 46.8 Honda Jazz — index 85: fails about -15% more often than expected for its age (26.6% of 440,547 tests found a failing defect; most common failure: headlamp reflector or lens slightly defective).
  20. Trend from 4.5 to 39.2 Audi A4 — index 84.6: fails about -15% more often than expected for its age (25.09% of 406,182 tests found a failing defect; most common failure: a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn).

Families where the margin of error includes 100 are excluded from this ranking. Full method:methodology · dataset release dvsa-2024-v1 ·national statistics + CSV.