MOT performance

Tyres: MOT failure rates

6.4% of 65,477,892 MOT tests on cars and light vans in 2023–2024 failed on tyres, 4,195,007 tests in all. Among models with at least 20,000 tests, rates relative to comparable cars range from -77% to +61%.

65,477,892 MOT tests on 34,140,187 vehicles, 2023–2024 · Source: DVSA (Open Government Licence) · Analysis: 73 Auto

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At a glance

Tyres MOT failures at a glance
Figure	Value	Basis
Tests failed on tyres	6.4%	4,195,007 of 65,477,892 tests
Models compared	320	each with ≥ 20,000 tests

Most common items

Most common tyres MOT failure items
Item	Area	Share of tests
Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm	Tyres	2.44%
Condition: has ply or cords exposed	Tyres	1.36%
Condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords	Tyres	1.31%

Failure items with their own page

Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm · 2.44% of tests
Condition: has ply or cords exposed · 1.36% of tests
Condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords · 1.31% of tests
Condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure · 0.56% of tests
Condition: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure · 0.47% of tests
Tyre pressure monitoring system: malfunctioning or obviously inoperative · 0.36% of tests
Condition: has a lump, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure · 0.18% of tests
Tread depth: tread pattern not visible over the whole tread area when minimum depth required is 1.0mm · 0.13% of tests
Size/type: of different sizes are fitted on the same axle. · 0.10% of tests
Condition: not fitted in accordance with side wall instructions · 0.06% of tests
Condition: has ply or cords damaged · 0.06% of tests

Models that fail on it most often

Relative to cars of the same age, mileage and fuel.

Models with the highest tyres MOT failure ratio
Model	Tests	Failed on it	vs similar cars
Chevrolet Matiz	22,205	9.1%	+61%
Mercedes-Benz CLA	117,936	9.1%	+47%
MG3	39,968	7.2%	+46%
Smart Forfour	48,547	7.8%	+43%
Citroen DS4	20,814	10.6%	+42%
Tesla Model 3	95,633	12.5%	+42%
BMW 640	20,209	9.6%	+41%
Mercedes-Benz CLS	48,848	10.0%	+41%
Peugeot 5008	66,454	8.8%	+39%
BMW X2	34,912	7.0%	+39%

Models that fail on it least often

Models with the lowest tyres MOT failure ratio
Model	Tests	Failed on it	vs similar cars
Fiat Auto Trail	20,441	0.7%	-77%
Suzuki Jimny	48,973	1.8%	-68%
Toyota Land Cruiser	43,545	2.2%	-64%
Land Rover Defender	219,897	1.9%	-63%
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter	46,508	2.8%	-56%
Volkswagen Amarok	42,466	3.0%	-56%
Subaru Impreza	37,283	2.9%	-55%
Toyota Hilux	142,032	3.0%	-54%
Mitsubishi L200	180,711	3.2%	-54%
London Taxis International TX4	26,655	3.8%	-51%

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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.