MOT performance
MOT failure “Condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords”: how common it is and which cars get it
“Condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords” (major defect, tyres) was recorded as a failure on 1.31% of UK MOT tests in 2023–2024: 854,364 tests, the number 13 most common failure item. It is 0.8 times as common at 10 years old (1.26%) as at 3 (1.59%). It is most common at 3 years old (1.59% of tests).
854,364 tests with this failure, 2023–2024
Check a specific car's MOT history and running costsAt a glance
| Figure | Value | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Share of MOT tests | 1.31% | 854,364 tests, 2023–2024 |
| Rank among failure items | #13 | by number of tests |
| Most common at | 3 years old | 1.59% of tests at that age |
| Models compared | 391 | models with enough tests |
How it changes with age
By fuel
Electric: 2.43% of tests; Hybrid: 1.67% of tests; Diesel: 1.36% of tests; Petrol: 1.23% of tests. Fuel groups differ in age and mileage, so these raw shares are not like-for-like; the model tables below are.
Models that fail on it most often
Relative to cars of the same age and fuel (1.00 = national rate for this item). Only models with enough tests for the difference to be clear are ranked.
| Model | Tests | Failed on it | vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|---|
| BMW X2 | 34,912 | 2.94% | +92% |
| Volkswagen Arteon | 14,417 | 2.61% | +73% |
| BMW X5 | 180,951 | 2.37% | +72% |
| Land Rover Discovery Sport | 218,712 | 2.51% | +70% |
| MINI Clubman | 51,717 | 2.20% | +70% |
| Volvo C70 | 16,441 | 1.94% | +65% |
| Volvo V90 | 30,109 | 2.50% | +63% |
| Mercedes-Benz CLA | 117,936 | 2.24% | +59% |
| Suzuki Wagon-R | 16,792 | 1.66% | +58% |
| BMW X6 | 30,776 | 2.23% | +58% |
Models that fail on it least often
| Model | Tests | Failed on it | vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fiat Swift | 15,103 | 0.15% | -90% |
| Fiat Auto Trail | 20,441 | 0.17% | -89% |
| London Taxis International TX4 | 26,655 | 0.19% | -86% |
| Lotus Elise | 10,204 | 0.14% | -85% |
| LEVC TX | 16,528 | 0.38% | -78% |
| Jeep Wrangler | 13,456 | 0.30% | -75% |
| Suzuki Jimny | 48,973 | 0.36% | -69% |
| Fiat Ducato | 145,780 | 0.44% | -62% |
| Honda S2000 | 10,058 | 0.41% | -62% |
| Rover Mini | 22,350 | 0.21% | -61% |
About this defect
The wording is DVSA's, from the MOT inspection manual. A high ratio for a model reflects its MOT record, which depends on maintenance and use as well as design. For one car, its own MOT history shows whether this has come up before.
Other common tyres failures
- 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 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
Check the car you are looking at
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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.