Motoring News
The cars most likely to pass their MOT
Tempcover analyses 40 million MOT test results
Ryan Barham
Last updated: 11/05/2026
Ryan Barham
Last updated: 11/05/2026
MOTs can be a stressful time. Waiting for confirmation on whether your car has passed or failed (and how much the repairs will cost if it is the latter) can affect even the most relaxed driver’s outlook.
Not only are there financial considerations but also practical ones. You could face some time without your car that can make getting to work and even running daily errands tough. If you’re able to borrow someone’s car, you can use temporary car insurance to cover the length of time your regular vehicle is in the garage.
Ideally, your car will pass its MOT the first time, saving you time and money. An MOT test checks your vehicle meets road safety and environmental standards. All cars over three years old must pass an annual MOT test.
With these penalties, it’s important to find a reliable car that can pass its MOT with flying colours.
Here at Tempcover, we’ve analysed over 40 million MOT test results from 2024 to uncover the UK’s most and least MOT-friendly cars.
The data reveals which makes and models have the highest and lowest pass rates—along with insights into how the UK’s most popular cars perform when tested for their roadworthiness.
| Position | Make | Model | Passed | Failed | Pass with Rectification at Station | Grand Total | Pass rate (including Pass with rectification) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lexus | UX | 17301 | 617 | 402 | 18374 | 96.35% |
| 2 | Toyota | Yaris Design HEV CVT | 21521 | 785 | 562 | 22948 | 96.23% |
| 3 | Honda | Jazz i-MMD EX eCVT | 10032 | 392 | 296 | 10768 | 95.91% |
| 4 | Aston Martin | Vantage | 9782 | 392 | 136 | 10362 | 95.72% |
| 5 | Ford | Puma ST-Line MHEV | 12241 | 593 | 296 | 13182 | 95.11% |
| 6 | Lexus | RX | 21946 | 1099 | 476 | 23606 | 94.98% |
| 7 | Toyota | Yaris Icon HEV CVT | 9578 | 520 | 375 | 10514 | 94.66% |
| 8 | Audi | R8 | 10376 | 551 | 117 | 11105 | 94.49% |
| 9 | Porsche | Macan | 69410 | 3945 | 1142 | 74746 | 94.39% |
| 10 | Jaguar | I-PACE | 26264 | 1508 | 337 | 28187 | 94.37% |
| 11 | Lexus | NX | 40089 | 2397 | 1405 | 44031 | 94.24% |
| 12 | Ford | Puma Titanium MHEV | 9370 | 558 | 297 | 10269 | 94.14% |
| 13 | Jaguar | F-TYPE | 29280 | 1767 | 464 | 31646 | 93.99% |
| 14 | Bentley | Continental | 24738 | 1477 | 466 | 26824 | 93.96% |
| 15 | Ford | Puma ST-Line X MHEV | 17495 | 1091 | 381 | 19036 | 93.91% |
| 16 | Toyota | Corolla Icon HEV CVT | 9561 | 595 | 337 | 10548 | 93.84% |
| 17 | BMW | M135i xDrive Auto | 17950 | 1194 | 156 | 19354 | 93.55% |
| 18 | Toyota | Corolla Design HEV CVT | 9238 | 641 | 362 | 10274 | 93.44% |
| 19 | Nissan | Juke N-Connecta Dig-T S-A | 10002 | 704 | 422 | 11167 | 93.35% |
| 20 | Ford | Fiesta ST-Line Edition T MHEV | 11045 | 820 | 623 | 12523 | 93.17% |
You’re likely to recognise the majority of cars that make up the top 20 of those that had over 10,000 tests in 2024.
If you’re in the market for a new car and are looking for reliability, these could be suitable options.
| Make | Model | Passed | Failed | Pass with Rectification at Station | Grand Total | Pass rate (including Pass with rectification) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet | Aveo | 5304 | 4727 | 898 | 11038 | 56.19% |
| Chevrolet | Matiz | 6981 | 6206 | 1163 | 14470 | 56.28% |
| Peugeot | 307 | 19115 | 17157 | 3738 | 40402 | 56.56% |
| Citroen | Xsara | 15714 | 13574 | 2751 | 32325 | 57.12% |
| Renault | Modus | 7944 | 6645 | 1218 | 15914 | 57.57% |
Some ‘budget’ and older vehicles did not fare quite so well. There were two Chevrolet models in the bottom five, which may not be surprising considering General Motors withdrew the Chevrolet brand from the UK at the end of 2015.
Other models that struggled to pass included the Peugeot 307, which was in production from 2001 to 2008 and Citroen Xsara (1997 to 2006). This correlates with our prediction that both models are set to be extinct by the end of 2027…
The Renault Modus, which rounds up the bottom 5 cars with a pass rate of 57.57%, was discontinued in 2012 and the wear and tear of the past decade and a half appears to be taking its toll.
The DVSA lists the most common reasons for failing an MOT as:
There's no guarantee that your vehicle will pass its MOT but looking after it by performing basic maintenance checks (e.g. topping up your oil, making sure your tyres are roadworthy and have a legal tread depth, replacing broken windscreen wipers) on a regular basis may help.
Look after your car and it can look after you, even if it doesn’t appear in our list of most reliable cars for MOTs. If you still need to get around while the vehicle is in the garage, you could consider getting temporary car insurance so you can drive someone else’s car with fully comprehensive coverage.
Lasting from one hour to 28 days, the flexibility of this short-term insurance also means you’ll be able to get around if your car’s repairs are going to take a little longer than expected.
If you’re wondering when your car is due its MOT, you can find the date by answering a few simple questions on gov.uk.
Claire Wills-Mckissick
Senior Customer Experience Manager
"The MOT is an important step in ensuring your car is roadworthy and safe. If you find yourself in a situation where repairs are needed, temporary car insurance offers a fully comprehensive, flexible solution, allowing you to borrow a friend or family member's car and get on the road. This will minimise disruption and give you greater peace of mind during a challenging time."
Claire Wills-Mckissick
Senior Customer Experience Manager
https://www.gov.uk/getting-an-mot
https://www.gov.uk/getting-an-mot/the-mot-test
https://motorway.co.uk/sell-my-car/guides/what-fails-an-mot
[1] Data is based on an anonymised release of 2024 test results from the DVSA
https://open.data.dvsa.gov.uk/mot-anonymised/index.html
Results were filtered to show only Class 4 MOT tests (which cover standard passenger cars) and exclude re-tests and appeals.
Only models that had more than 10,000 tests in 2024 were included.
Pass rate includes passes where vehicles had an issue that was rectified at the testing station.
Any brands where the data wasn't available/ didn't meet the parameters of the MOT analysis were removed, along with commercial vehicles like vans and black cabs etc.
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Temporary Car InsuranceYou can give your car more chance of passing its MOT by taking proactive steps: clean your car thoroughly, including number plates; check windscreen wipers for visible tears; verify all lights are functioning; and use the 20p test to check tyre tread depth, ensuring adequate tyre pressure. These small time investments can significantly boost your chances of passing the MOT.
Consider transitioning to electric, hybrid, or hydrogen-powered vehicles. These eco-friendly alternatives emit zero emissions, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and lowering overall emission levels. This not only contributes to a cleaner environment, but also ensures a smooth MOT test without emission-related issues.
If your car fails its MOT, you can only drive it to a pre-booked MOT test or for immediate repairs. If the MOT certificate is valid, you can drive until expiry but must promptly repair faults and retest. Driving a car with a Dangerous defect may lead to fines, a driving ban, and penalty points. Remember, driving an unroadworthy vehicle can invalidate your insurance.
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