MOT performance
MOT results for 10-year-old cars
67.5% of 4,163,623 MOT tests on 10-year-old cars and light vans in 2023–2024 passed first time, 4.0 points below the all-ages rate of 71.5%, between 70.6% at 9 and 64.8% at 11 years. 8.8% had at least one dangerous defect. These cars were mostly first registered 2012–2014, at a median 78,788 miles.
4,163,623 MOT tests on 4,009,567 vehicles, 2023–2024 · Source: DVSA (Open Government Licence) · Analysis: 73 Auto
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| Figure | Value | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 67.5% | ±0 pts (95%), n = 4,163,623 |
| Tests with a dangerous defect | 8.8% | n = 4,163,623 |
| Median mileage at test | 78,788 miles | n = 4,163,623 |
| Vehicles tested | 4,009,567 | 2023–2024 |
| Fuel mix of tests | Petrol 47%, Diesel 51%, Hybrid 1% | n = 4,163,623 |
Where 10-year-old cars fail
Share of tests that failed on each area of the test. The steepest rises since 9 years are in body, chassis and structure (2.7% → 3.3%), suspension (8.9% → 10.9%), lights, reflectors and electrical (10.5% → 12.8%).
| Area | Failed on it | At 9 years |
|---|---|---|
| Lights, reflectors and electrical | 12.8% | 10.5% |
| Suspension | 10.9% | 8.9% |
| Brakes | 7.2% | 6.4% |
| Tyres | 7.0% | 7.0% |
| Driver's view of the road | 4.7% | 4.3% |
| Body, chassis and structure | 3.3% | 2.7% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 3.0% | 2.7% |
| Steering | 2.4% | 2.1% |
| Seat belts and airbags | 0.8% | 0.7% |
| Road wheels | 0.4% | 0.4% |
| Registration plates and VIN | 0.3% | 0.3% |
| Speedometer and driving controls | 0.0% | 0.0% |
Most common failure items at this age
| Item | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | Suspension | 3.45% |
| Position lamp: not working | Lights, reflectors and electrical | 2.97% |
| Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 2.85% |
| Stop lamp: not working | Lights, reflectors and electrical | 2.35% |
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick | Brakes | 2.18% |
| Ball joint: ball joint excessively worn | Suspension | 2.08% |
| Headlamp: not working on dipped beam | Lights, reflectors and electrical | 1.94% |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively | Driver's view of the road | 1.86% |
| Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play | Steering | 1.60% |
| Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid | Driver's view of the road | 1.60% |
Every age
- 3 years · 87.1% pass first time
- 4 years · 85.3% pass first time
- 5 years · 83.0% pass first time
- 6 years · 80.3% pass first time
- 7 years · 77.4% pass first time
- 8 years · 74.1% pass first time
- 9 years · 70.6% pass first time
- 11 years · 64.8% pass first time
- 12 years · 62.3% pass first time
- 13 years · 60.1% pass first time
- 14 years · 58.4% pass first time
- 15 years · 57.3% pass first time
- 16 years · 56.6% pass first time
- 17 years · 56.2% pass first time
- 18 years · 56.1% pass first time
- 19 years · 56.2% pass first time
- 20 years · 56.9% pass first time
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About this data. These are MOT test results, not a measure of mechanical reliability: a car's MOT outcome reflects its condition on the day, which depends on how it has been maintained and driven as well as how it was built. Figures cover class 4 vehicles (cars and light vans), normal tests only (retests excluded), outcomes pass, fail and pass after rectification at the station; vehicles at least 2.5 years old at test. Tests from 2023-01-01 to 2024-12-30. “Compared with similar cars” means compared with the national rate for cars of the same age, mileage band and fuel. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Makes and models are matched to 73 Auto's vehicle catalogue; tests that can't be matched are left out rather than guessed. See how the MOT figures are produced.