MOT performance
Seat belts and airbags: MOT failure rates
1.0% of 65,477,892 MOT tests on cars and light vans in 2023–2024 failed on seat belts and airbags, 665,630 tests in all. Among models with at least 20,000 tests, rates relative to comparable cars range from -83% to +546%.
65,477,892 MOT tests on 34,140,187 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Tests failed on seat belts and airbags | 1.0% | 665,630 of 65,477,892 tests |
| Models compared | 320 | each with ≥ 20,000 tests |
Failure items with their own page
- SRS malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a fault · 0.48% of tests
- Prescribed areas: prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced · 0.20% of tests
- Condition: buckle not functioning as intended · 0.11% of tests
- Condition: not functioning as intended · 0.08% of tests
- Condition: retracting mechanism defective · 0.04% of tests
Models that fail on it most often
Relative to cars of the same age, mileage and fuel.
| Model | Tests | Failed on it | vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|---|
| MG3 | 39,968 | 2.1% | +546% |
| Mazda CX-3 | 50,909 | 1.4% | +311% |
| SEAT Mii | 36,559 | 1.8% | +310% |
| Nissan NV200 | 51,677 | 2.9% | +231% |
| Citroen Xsara | 61,243 | 8.0% | +217% |
| Fiat Auto Trail | 20,441 | 1.4% | +193% |
| Mercedes-Benz A-Class | 685,711 | 1.7% | +163% |
| Peugeot 5008 | 66,454 | 1.6% | +149% |
| Renault Modus | 26,014 | 4.1% | +144% |
| Renault Twingo | 51,208 | 1.8% | +134% |
Models that fail on it least often
| Model | Tests | Failed on it | vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mazda CX-30 | 21,474 | 0.1% | -83% |
| Jaguar F-Type | 28,642 | 0.1% | -79% |
| Porsche 911 | 100,223 | 0.3% | -78% |
| Porsche Cayman | 29,543 | 0.2% | -77% |
| BMW M4 | 24,113 | 0.1% | -76% |
| Porsche Boxster | 65,604 | 0.4% | -75% |
| Volvo V90 | 30,109 | 0.1% | -72% |
| Kia Stonic | 47,147 | 0.1% | -71% |
| BMW 4 Series | 206,848 | 0.1% | -70% |
| Mercedes-Benz CLS | 48,848 | 0.4% | -68% |
Check the car you are looking at
Enter a UK registration to see that car's own MOT history and what it is likely to cost to own. Your first check is free and shows the vehicle summary and its headline ownership cost. The category-by-category breakdown is part of a paid check.
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.