MOT performance
MOT failure “Condition: has ply or cords exposed”: how common it is and which cars get it
“Condition: has ply or cords exposed” (dangerous defect, tyres) was recorded as a failure on 1.36% of UK MOT tests in 2023–2024: 888,583 tests, the number 11 most common failure item. It is 1.7 times as common at 10 years old (1.56%) as at 3 (0.92%). It is most common at 14 years old (1.88% of tests).
888,583 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 | 1.36% | 888,583 tests, 2023–2024 |
| Rank among failure items | #11 | by number of tests |
| Most common at | 14 years old | 1.88% of tests at that age |
| Models compared | 391 | models with enough tests |
How it changes with age
By fuel
Electric: 2.36% of tests; Diesel: 1.64% of tests; Petrol: 1.14% of tests; Hybrid: 1.09% 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 M4 | 24,113 | 3.83% | +340% |
| Alfa Romeo Giulia | 12,881 | 2.76% | +209% |
| Volkswagen Arteon | 14,417 | 2.50% | +176% |
| Tesla Model X | 11,918 | 6.83% | +169% |
| SEAT Alhambra | 56,200 | 3.59% | +145% |
| Volvo C70 | 16,441 | 4.34% | +140% |
| Mercedes-Benz CLA | 117,936 | 2.49% | +133% |
| Mazda 5 | 22,878 | 3.51% | +112% |
| Volvo V50 | 63,673 | 4.28% | +110% |
| MG MG3 | 39,968 | 1.80% | +109% |
Models that fail on it least often
| Model | Tests | Failed on it | vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fiat Swift | 15,103 | 0.06% | -95% |
| Lotus Elise | 10,204 | 0.06% | -95% |
| Jeep Wrangler | 13,456 | 0.09% | -93% |
| Fiat Auto Trail | 20,441 | 0.11% | -92% |
| Suzuki Jimny | 48,973 | 0.15% | -89% |
| Land Rover Defender | 219,897 | 0.17% | -87% |
| Aston Martin Vantage | 15,831 | 0.17% | -87% |
| Fiat Ducato | 145,780 | 0.27% | -83% |
| London Taxis International TX4 | 26,655 | 0.32% | -82% |
| Rover Mini | 22,350 | 0.12% | -82% |
Makes that stand out on this failure
Makes whose cars record this failure clearly more or less often than comparable cars (same age, mileage and fuel):
- Tesla · 1.61× comparable cars
- Abarth · 1.58× comparable cars
- Alfa Romeo · 1.57× comparable cars
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 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
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.