MOT performance
MOT results for 17-year-old cars
56.2% of 1,826,895 MOT tests on 17-year-old cars and light vans in 2023–2024 passed first time, 15.3 points below the all-ages rate of 71.5%, between 56.6% at 16 and 56.1% at 18 years. 10.9% had at least one dangerous defect. These cars were mostly first registered 2005–2007, at a median 106,165 miles.
1,826,895 MOT tests on 1,746,501 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 | 56.2% | ±0.1 pts (95%), n = 1,826,895 |
| Tests with a dangerous defect | 10.9% | n = 1,826,895 |
| Median mileage at test | 106,165 miles | n = 1,826,895 |
| Vehicles tested | 1,746,501 | 2023–2024 |
| Fuel mix of tests | Petrol 62%, Diesel 37% | n = 1,826,895 |
Where 17-year-old cars fail
Share of tests that failed on each area of the test. The steepest rises since 16 years are in seat belts and airbags (2.3% → 2.7%), registration plates and vin (0.6% → 0.6%), body, chassis and structure (8.1% → 8.7%).
| Area | Failed on it | At 16 years |
|---|---|---|
| Lights, reflectors and electrical | 21.6% | 20.9% |
| Suspension | 17.4% | 17.4% |
| Brakes | 13.1% | 12.2% |
| Body, chassis and structure | 8.7% | 8.1% |
| Tyres | 7.3% | 7.6% |
| Driver's view of the road | 7.3% | 7.1% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 6.7% | 6.5% |
| Steering | 3.7% | 3.5% |
| Seat belts and airbags | 2.7% | 2.3% |
| Registration plates and VIN | 0.6% | 0.6% |
| Road wheels | 0.6% | 0.6% |
| 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 | 5.76% |
| Stop lamp: not working | Lights, reflectors and electrical | 4.08% |
| Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect | Lights, reflectors and electrical | 3.94% |
| Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | Body, chassis and structure | 3.31% |
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | Suspension | 3.26% |
| Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 3.06% |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively | Driver's view of the road | 2.87% |
| Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements | Brakes | 2.87% |
| Ball joint: ball joint excessively worn | Suspension | 2.46% |
| Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid | Driver's view of the road | 2.42% |
Failures that peak at 17 years
Of the most common MOT failure items, these are found most often on cars of exactly this age:
- Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt
- Individual direction indicators: incorrect colour
- Headlamp aim not tested: unable to be tested
- Electronic stability control: warning lamp indicates a fault
- Condition: buckle not functioning as intended
- Size/type: of different sizes are fitted on the same axle.
- Swivel pins and bushes: swivel pin and/or bush excessively worn
- Ball joint: ball joint likely to become detached
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
- 16 years · 56.6% 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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UK number plate or 17-character VIN
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.