For many car owners, the MOT is one of the most daunting times of year. You could find yourself landing a dreaded bill if your motor doesn't pass its test.
But new analysis from Go.Compare Car Insurance has revealed that some makes, models, age, and fuel types perform better across the board. The study found the Volkswagen T-Roc has the highest MOT pass rate across the United Kingdom.
It has a 94.62% pass rate across the country. Launched in 2017, the T-Roc markets from around £26,000 new.
Meanwhile the Peugeot 307 - which was produced between 2001 and 2007 - are the least likely to pass the test, with a rate of just 67.9%. This is a substantial drop of 27% when compared to the T-Roc and pales in comparison to the national average pass rate of 80.46%.
Top five cars with the highest MOT pass rates:
- VW T-Roc - 94.62%
- Audi Q2 - 94.44%
- Toyota C-HR - 94.41%
- Vauxhall Viva - 92.98%
- Vauxhall Crossland - 92.18%
Top five cars with the lowest MOT pass rates:
- Peugeot 307 - 67.9%
- Ford Focus C-Max - 68.49%
- Vauxhall Vectra - 68.59%
- Renault Modus - 69.47%
- Vauxhall Tigra - 69.94%
Meanwhile GoCompare has also looked at other factors that could impact on how likely you are to pass your MOT. This includes age and fuel type.
Age
Many of the cars least likely to pass the MOT were produced in the ‘00s. In fact, the data reveals that vehicles first used in the 2000s are the most likely to fail the test, with four of the five worst models ceasing production in the ‘00s. Cars from this decade have a failure rate of 26%, suggesting that they are hitting a point of decline.
While newer models have better pass rates, older cars actually perform well, too. Vehicles first used in the 1980s and 1990s have a higher average pass rate than their ‘00s counterparts. Plus, classic cars from earlier decades which don’t require MOTs are usually owned by drivers who put the time and effort into maintaining them, ensuring a lower fail rate for those that do have the vehicle tested.
Fuel type
The report also found that electric vehicles are more reliable than traditional fuel-powered cars. EVs and hybrids had far higher pass rates than diesel or petrol, at 86.29% and 91.29% respectively. Unsurprisingly, diesel engines have the lowest MOT pass rate at just 79.48%, with petrol performing only slightly better at 80.98%, close to the national average.
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Ryan Fulthorpe, motoring expert at Go.Compare said: “The diversity in pass rates across different manufacturers and models of cars certainly suggests that some vehicles are more primed to pass their MOT than others. While it’s something to consider when choosing your next motor, the make and model is unlikely to be the only contributing factor to its passing performance.
“Drivers should be aware that they can minimise their chances of MOT failure by conducting simple checks at home and proper year-round maintenance of their vehicle. Although the yearly MOT may seem like a stressful and costly part of owning a car, it is vital to ensure that the vehicles on Britain’s roads are safe. Remember, if your car does not have a valid MOT certificate then your car insurance is also void, so it really is essential to check when your next MOT is due and keep it up to date.”
