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2025 MOT pass rates by brand, model, and age
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Each year, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency publishes anonymised results from every MOT test conducted across the UK. Brumble analyses this dataset to surface the key insights, trends, and statistics that matter to UK drivers, used-car buyers, and journalists.
The analysis below is based on the 2025 test year data, released by the DVSA on 22 June 2026 and published under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Brumble processed 38.1 million test records and 92.5 million individual defect items to produce the findings on this page.
The DVSA released their 2025 MOT data on 22 June 2026. Here are the standout findings from Brumble’s analysis.
Lexus has moved into second place for MOT pass rates (83.94%), overtaking Tesla (83.83%). Porsche remains top at 87.49%.
MG now has the fourth highest pass rate of any major brand at 80.80%, ahead of established names like BMW, Audi, and Mercedes-Benz.
Renault has overtaken Citroen for the lowest MOT pass rate of any major brand at 62.42%. Nearly two in five Renaults fail their MOT.
The gap between Porsche (87.49%) and Renault (62.42%) is over 25 percentage points, the widest margin recorded in the Brumble dataset.
Just 53.87% of Renault Clios passed their MOT in 2025, the lowest of any model with 50,000 or more tests. Nearly half of all Clios tested failed.
UK MOT testing is one of the largest vehicle safety programmes in the world. Here is the latest headline data from the DVSA.
38.1 million
MOT tests conducted in the 2025 test year
DVSA, 2025
72.4%
Of vehicles passed their MOT outright
DVSA, 2025
8.7 million
Individual MOT failures recorded in 2025
DVSA, 2025
23,800+
Vehicles fail their MOT every single day
Brumble analysis of DVSA data
Source: Brumble analysis of DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2025 test year (published June 2026). Published under Open Government Licence v3.0.
Lighting faults are the single most common reason vehicles fail their MOT, accounting for nearly a quarter of all failures. Brumble analysis of 23.5 million MOT failure items from the 2025 DVSA dataset shows that the top three categories, lamps, suspension, and brakes, make up almost 58% of all MOT failures. Many of these issues can be identified with a simple visual check before your test.
This chart shows the proportion of MOT failures by defect category from 23.5 million failure items recorded in the 2025 test year. Lamps, reflectors, and electrical equipment account for 24.60% of all failures, followed by suspension at 20.65% and brakes at 12.99%. The top five categories together represent nearly 81% of all MOT test failures.
Source: Brumble analysis of DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2025 test year (published June 2026) (92.5 million item rows across 12 months). Published under Open Government Licence v3.0.
A three year old car has a 89% chance of passing its MOT. By age 10 that drops to 72%, and by age 15 it falls to 59%. Brumble analysis of 29.5 million DVSA test records from 2025 shows the steepest decline occurs between years 7 and 14, when vehicles typically come off warranty and maintenance costs rise.
This chart shows MOT pass rates by vehicle age based on 29.5 million Class 3 and 4 MOT tests in the 2025 test year. Pass rates decline steadily from 89% for three year old vehicles to 57% for twenty year old vehicles, with the steepest drop between ages 7 and 14.
Source: Brumble analysis of DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2025 test year (published June 2026). Class 3 and 4 vehicles (cars and light vans). Published under Open Government Licence v3.0.
Porsche has the highest MOT pass rate of any major brand at 87.49%, while Renault has the lowest at 62.42%. Brumble analysis of 29.5 million DVSA test records shows a 25 percentage point gap between the most and least reliable brands. Premium and Japanese manufacturers consistently outperform French and volume brands.
This chart shows MOT pass rates for 20 major car brands based on 29.5 million Class 3 and 4 MOT tests in the 2025 test year. Porsche leads at 87.49%, followed by Lexus at 83.94% and Tesla at 83.83%. At the other end, Renault has the lowest pass rate at 62.42%, followed by Citroen at 63.47% and Vauxhall at 65.69%.
Source: Brumble analysis of DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2025 test year (published June 2026). Class 3 and 4 vehicles with 50,000+ tests per brand. Published under Open Government Licence v3.0.
The Mini Cooper has the highest MOT pass rate among the UK's most tested models at 84.56%. At the other end, the Ford Fiesta passes just 64.20% of the time. These figures are based on models with at least 50,000 MOT tests in the 2025 test year.
| Make & model | 2025 MOT tests | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|
| Mini Cooper | 205,323 | 84.56% |
| Ford Kuga | 223,221 | 76.78% |
| Mercedes-Benz E-Class | 193,687 | 76.71% |
| Audi A1 | 194,368 | 75.24% |
| Kia Sportage | 227,143 | 75.12% |
| Mercedes-Benz C-Class | 307,824 | 74.14% |
| Mercedes-Benz A-Class | 208,192 | 73.33% |
| Audi A3 | 331,156 | 74.08% |
| BMW 3 Series | 311,206 | 72.55% |
| Volkswagen Golf | 701,952 | 73.08% |
| Audi A4 | 203,149 | 71.83% |
| Honda Jazz | 275,040 | 72.49% |
| Nissan Qashqai | 481,869 | 66.68% |
| Toyota Yaris | 363,021 | 69.86% |
| Ford Fiesta | 1,145,817 | 64.20% |
Mini Cooper
84.56%
205,323 tests in 2025
Ford Kuga
76.78%
223,221 tests in 2025
Mercedes-Benz E-Class
76.71%
193,687 tests in 2025
Audi A1
75.24%
194,368 tests in 2025
Kia Sportage
75.12%
227,143 tests in 2025
Mercedes-Benz C-Class
74.14%
307,824 tests in 2025
Mercedes-Benz A-Class
73.33%
208,192 tests in 2025
Audi A3
74.08%
331,156 tests in 2025
BMW 3 Series
72.55%
311,206 tests in 2025
Volkswagen Golf
73.08%
701,952 tests in 2025
Audi A4
71.83%
203,149 tests in 2025
Honda Jazz
72.49%
275,040 tests in 2025
Nissan Qashqai
66.68%
481,869 tests in 2025
Toyota Yaris
69.86%
363,021 tests in 2025
Ford Fiesta
64.20%
1,145,817 tests in 2025
MOT pass rates for the most tested car models in the UK. Only models with 50,000 or more Class 3 and 4 tests in 2025 are included.
Source: Brumble analysis of DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2025 test year (published June 2026). Class 3 and 4 vehicles with 50,000+ tests per model. Published under Open Government Licence v3.0.
A standard MOT test for a car typically takes between 45 minutes and one hour. The exact time depends on the age and condition of the vehicle, and whether the tester finds any issues that need closer inspection. Some garages offer a while-you-wait service, while others ask you to drop the car off. If the vehicle fails, the garage will explain what needs fixing before a retest can be carried out.
45 to 60 minutes on average
Around 30 minutes
Up to 90 minutes depending on size and complexity
The busiest months for MOT testing are October, March, and September. If your MOT is due in one of these months, booking early can help avoid delays.
Source: Brumble analysis of DVSA testing data.
The maximum fee an MOT testing station can charge is set by the DVSA. Many garages charge less than the maximum, so it is worth shopping around. The test fee does not include the cost of any repairs needed if the vehicle fails.
| Vehicle class | Maximum fee |
|---|---|
| Motorcycles (Class 1 and 2) | £29.65 |
| Cars and light vans up to 3,000kg (Class 4) | £54.85 |
| Minibuses and large passenger vehicles (Class 5) | £54.85 |
| Goods vehicles 3,000-3,500kg (Class 7) | £58.60 |
Motorcycles (Class 1 and 2)
£29.65
Cars and light vans up to 3,000kg (Class 4)
£54.85
Minibuses and large passenger vehicles (Class 5)
£54.85
Goods vehicles 3,000-3,500kg (Class 7)
£58.60
Maximum permitted MOT test fees as set by the DVSA. Many testing stations charge below these maximums.
Source: GOV.UK DVSA maximum MOT test fees.
This analysis is based on DVSA anonymised MOT test results for the 2025 test year, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency in June 2026 under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Brumble processed 92.5 million individual item rows and 29.5 million Class 3 and 4 test records (cars and light vans up to 3,000 kg) to produce the failure category breakdown, pass rates by vehicle age, pass rates by brand, and pass rates by model shown on this page.
Pass rate is calculated as the number of outright passes divided by the total of passes, failures, and passes after rectification at station (PRS). PRS results are counted as failures in our methodology, as the vehicle would have failed without on-the-spot repair. Advisory items are excluded from the failure count.
Only brands and models with 50,000 or more Class 3 and 4 tests are included in the brand and model tables to ensure statistical reliability. Vehicle age is calculated as 2025 minus the year of first registration.
This analysis is free for journalists, researchers, bloggers, and other publications to reference and cite. If you use our data, we ask that you credit Brumble and include a link back to this page (https://brumble.co.uk/tools/mot-checker). For bespoke analysis, media enquiries, or access to the underlying dataset, contact us via our press office.
Knowing the rules around a failed MOT, including when you can still drive and how a retest works, can save you time and money.
If your vehicle fails and its current MOT is still valid, you can drive it away from the test centre. If the existing MOT has already expired, you can only drive it to a pre-booked repair appointment or directly home. You cannot use the vehicle for any other purpose without a valid MOT.
If your vehicle fails, the testing station will list every defect. You can have the repairs done at the same garage or elsewhere. If you return within 10 working days to the same station, a partial retest is often free or charged at a reduced rate. A full retest may cost up to half the original test fee.
Since May 2018, MOT defects are categorised as dangerous (immediate risk, vehicle must not be driven), major (must be repaired before a pass certificate is issued), or minor (noted but does not cause a failure). Advisory items are not defects but may need attention in the future.
Source: GOV.UK MOT testing guidance.
Not every UK vehicle needs an annual MOT. Here are the main categories of exemption and the rules around getting tested early.
A new car, van, or motorcycle does not need its first MOT until three years after its date of registration. After that, it must be tested every year.
Vehicles manufactured before 1 January 1977 are exempt from MOT testing. They must still be kept in a roadworthy condition when used on public roads.
Electric cars and vans still need an MOT. However, they are exempt from the emissions test component since they produce no exhaust emissions. All other checks (brakes, tyres, lights, suspension, steering) still apply.
You can get an MOT up to one calendar month (minus one day) before the current MOT expires and still keep your existing expiry date. For example, if your MOT expires on 15 July, you can test from 16 June and your new certificate will run to 15 July the following year.
Source: GOV.UK MOT testing guidance.
The Brumble MOT checker works for all vehicle types that have a UK registration: cars, vans, motorhomes, motorcycles, and other vehicles tested by the DVSA.
Check the full MOT history of any UK-registered car. See past results, advisories, failure reasons, and mileage records.
Buying or insuring a van? Check its MOT history to spot recurring issues or mileage discrepancies. Compare van insurance via Brumble on our van insurance page.
Motorhomes and campervans are subject to the same MOT requirements as other vehicles. Check the MOT history before buying. See our motorhome insurance page for annual cover.
An MOT history is one of the most valuable free data sources for any UK driver, used-car buyer, or anyone planning ahead for their next test.
A full MOT history is one of the strongest signals when buying a used car. A quick car MOT check before you part with your money can flag red flags like frequent failures, mileage discrepancies between tests, and the same advisories cropping up year after year. They all point to deferred maintenance or worse. Compare what the seller tells you against the actual record.
Knowing your MOT due date lets you book in early and avoid being caught out. Looking at last year's advisories tells you what to fix before this year's test, saving time, money, and the risk of an outright fail. Our UK MOT check tool shows the exact expiry date so you can plan ahead with confidence.
One of the most valuable features of an MOT history check is the ability to spot mileage discrepancies. Every MOT test records the vehicle's odometer reading, creating a verifiable record over time. If the mileage drops between tests or shows implausible jumps, this can indicate odometer tampering, a common issue when buying a used car. Our mileage history chart makes these patterns easy to spot at a glance, helping you make an informed decision before purchasing a vehicle.
Driving without a valid MOT is illegal and carries a fine of up to £1,000. Police can spot expired MOTs via Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras, so it is a high-detection-rate offence. The only exceptions are driving to a pre-booked MOT test or to a garage for repairs.
Driving without a valid MOT is a criminal offence in the UK. If caught, you could face a fine of up to £1,000. More seriously, if your vehicle is involved in an accident without a valid MOT certificate, your car insurance may be invalid, meaning you would be personally liable for any damage or injury costs. You can check when your MOT is due using our free checker above, and set a reminder so you never miss your renewal date.
Most UK car insurance policies require your vehicle to hold a valid MOT (if required) and to be roadworthy. Driving without an MOT can give insurers grounds to refuse a claim or void the policy. If you need new cover, compare car insurance via Brumble or see our fully comprehensive cover guide for a detailed comparison.
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Ryan is the founder of Brumble and has over a decade of experience in the UK motor finance and insurance industry. He created Brumble to make it easier for UK drivers to understand the insurance and finance world by cutting through the jargon.
Originally published: 19 May 2026 · Last updated: 22 June 2026
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