MOT performance
MOT results for 16-year-old cars
56.6% of 2,298,708 MOT tests on 16-year-old cars and light vans in 2023–2024 passed first time, 14.9 points below the all-ages rate of 71.5%, between 57.3% at 15 and 56.2% at 17 years. 11.0% had at least one dangerous defect. These cars were mostly first registered 2006–2008, at a median 105,327 miles.
2,298,708 MOT tests on 2,194,093 vehicles, 2023–2024 · Source: DVSA (Open Government Licence) · Analysis: 73 Auto
Check a specific car's MOT history and running costsAt a glance
| Figure | Value | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 56.6% | ±0.1 pts (95%), n = 2,298,708 |
| Tests with a dangerous defect | 11.0% | n = 2,298,708 |
| Median mileage at test | 105,327 miles | n = 2,298,708 |
| Vehicles tested | 2,194,093 | 2023–2024 |
| Fuel mix of tests | Petrol 60%, Diesel 39% | n = 2,298,708 |
Where 16-year-old cars fail
Share of tests that failed on each area of the test. The steepest rises since 15 years are in seat belts and airbags (2.0% → 2.3%), body, chassis and structure (7.4% → 8.1%), brakes (11.4% → 12.2%).
| Area | Failed on it | At 15 years |
|---|---|---|
| Lights, reflectors and electrical | 20.9% | 20.1% |
| Suspension | 17.4% | 17.2% |
| Brakes | 12.2% | 11.4% |
| Body, chassis and structure | 8.1% | 7.4% |
| Tyres | 7.6% | 7.7% |
| Driver's view of the road | 7.1% | 6.8% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 6.5% | 6.3% |
| Steering | 3.5% | 3.4% |
| Seat belts and airbags | 2.3% | 2.0% |
| Road wheels | 0.6% | 0.6% |
| Registration plates and VIN | 0.6% | 0.5% |
| Speedometer and driving controls | 0.0% | 0.0% |
Most common failure items at this age
| Item | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| Position lamp: not working | Lights, reflectors and electrical | 6.00% |
| Stop lamp: not working | Lights, reflectors and electrical | 4.09% |
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | Suspension | 3.73% |
| Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect | Lights, reflectors and electrical | 3.33% |
| Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 3.18% |
| Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | Body, chassis and structure | 3.12% |
| Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements | Brakes | 2.66% |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively | Driver's view of the road | 2.65% |
| Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid | Driver's view of the road | 2.45% |
| Ball joint: ball joint excessively worn | Suspension | 2.44% |
Failures that peak at 16 years
Of the most common MOT failure items, these are found most often on cars of exactly this age:
- Position lamp: not working
- Stop lamp: not working
- Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid
- Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt
- Linkage ball joints: ball joint excessively worn
- Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened
- Registration plate lamp(s): does not illuminate simultaneously with the position lamps
- Shock absorbers: has negligible damping effect
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
- 10 years · 67.5% 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
- 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.