Every car owner knows the importance of the MOT test, a yearly check-up to ensure vehicles are safe and roadworthy. Over recent years some cars have emerged as more likely to fail these tests.
Thanks to exclusive data found from LeaseLoco and the DVSA, we’re taking a closer look at which models and brands are falling short and why.
Data reveals a surprising leader in MOT failures this year: the Peugeot 307.
This model has shown a notably low pass rate, with just over half of the cars passing on their first attempt. Other models like the Citroen Xsara and Renault Grand Scenic also feature prominently in the list of frequent failures.
Age and maintenance issues are often culprits behind these failures.
An MOT failure car is one that doesn’t pass the mandatory annual MOT test. This test assesses vehicle safety, roadworthiness aspects, and exhaust emissions.
In 2018, the DVSA introduced three new, main categories for defects – minor, major, and dangerous. Major and dangerous defects lead to an automatic fail, highlighting issues that need urgent attention for the vehicle to be considered safe for the roads.
Read up more on the MOT Test changes with our complete guide!
A ‘dangerous’ rating indicates a direct and immediate threat to road safety or a significant environmental hazard.
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) cautions that a vehicle in this condition should not be operated until the necessary repairs are made.
The ‘minor’ category represents issues that do not notably compromise the vehicle’s safety or have a substantial environmental impact.
The DVSA recommends addressing these issues promptly, but a vehicle with a ‘minor’ defect will still pass the test.
The last category, labelled as ‘pass’, indicates that the vehicle satisfies the minimum legal standards required.
The DVSA recommends ongoing maintenance and checks to ensure the vehicle consistently meets these standards.
You must be aware of several significant changes to the MOT rules, encompassing new ratings. These changes are designed to enhance vehicle safety and environmental standards. Key updates include:
Additionally, MOT testers will inspect several items previously not included in the test. These new inspection areas include:
Finally, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has made it mandatory to publish all faults classified as ‘dangerous’, ‘major’, and ‘minor’, along with any additional advisories from MOT testers, immediately after the MOT test is completed.
This transparency ensures that vehicle owners and operators are fully informed about their vehicles’ condition and compliance with safety standards.
Brakes and tyres are common failure areas in MOT tests. Faulty brakes or worn tyres can lead to serious safety risks, hence their prominence in MOT checks.
Regular maintenance and checks can help car owners avoid these issues.
In other words, below are the top MOT Failure Locations.
When it comes to brands, the differences are stark.
On a more positive note, the Lexus UX boasts an impressive first-time MOT pass rate of 95.4% in 2023, shining a light on the brand’s commitment to quality and reliability.
In contrast, American brands like Chevrolet and Chrysler have struggled, with more than half of their vehicles failing.
Regular servicing and the overall build quality of the cars play a significant role in these outcomes.
Below are some popular makes and models which are known to infamously fail their MOT.
48.3% (5,521 tested)
48.4% (3,061 tested)
50.4% (1,271 tested)
50.6% (46,623 tested)
51.6% (1,870 tested)
52.0% (2,765 tested)
52.4% (4,792 tested)
2.5% (1,867 tested)
52.7% (11,521 tested)
52.8% (19,574)
Sometimes, the cost of repairing an MOT failure can outweigh the car’s value.
In such cases, selling the vehicle may be a sensible decision.
This is particularly true for older models, where repair costs can escalate quickly.
So, when spending the additional time, effort and money – Consider the end goal.
If you’re considering selling your MOT failure car, use Scrap Local!
We offer a straightforward and efficient service to take these cars off your hands, potentially saving you time and expensive labour and parts cost.
Stricter limits have been introduced for emissions from diesel cars equipped with a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF).
A vehicle will fail its MOT if there is any smoke of any colour from the exhaust or if there’s evidence of DPF tampering.
A defect in the dashboard warning light system will be classified as a ‘major’ fault, leading to an MOT failure.
MOT testers now check for underinflated tyres, contaminated brake fluid, environmental risk due to fluid leaks, issues with brake pads and lights, including reversing lights and daytime running lights on newer vehicles.
A ‘pass’ indicates that the vehicle meets the minimum legal standards. The DVSA advises regular maintenance to ensure ongoing compliance.
An ‘advisory’ note points to a defect that might become more serious over time.
The vehicle will pass, but the DVSA advises monitoring and repairing if necessary.
A ‘minor’ defect is one that does not significantly affect the vehicle’s safety or the environment.
The vehicle will pass, but repairs should be done as soon as possible.
A ‘major’ defect is one that may affect the vehicle’s safety, put other road users at risk, or impact the environment.
The DVSA advises immediate repair.
A ‘dangerous’ rating signifies a direct and immediate risk to road safety or a serious environmental impact.
The DVSA warns against driving the vehicle until it is repaired.
The DVSA publishes all ‘dangerous’, ‘major’, and ‘minor’ faults, along with any additional advisories.
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