Revealed cars most likely to fail their first mandatory MoT

New research has revealed those cars most likely to fail their first mandatory MoT.

An analysis of vehicles undergoing their first mandatory MOT in 2025 found that five of the Top 10 makes and models with the highest first-time failure rates were EVs.

And the research revealed that two of the UK’s most popular electric cars, the Tesla Model Y and Model 3, had some of the lowest first-time pass rates.

Both recorded first-time MOT failure rates of just under 15%, based on nearly 20,000 Model Y tests and more than 13,000 Model 3 tests carried out last year.

Top of the list was the Mercedes-Benz EQC, an electric SUV, with a first-time MOT fail rate of 17.2%. Just over 4,000 checked in for an MOT last year, and of those 717 failed.

The findings are based on data obtained by carVertical from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) via a Freedom of Information request, covering first-time MOT fail rates in 2025 across all car makes and models.

Only makes and models with at least 100 fails were considered for this research, and vans and pickup trucks weren’t considered.

Other electric models featuring in the Top 10 include the BMW i4 and Citroën e-C4, alongside non-electric vehicles such as the Ford Tourneo Custom, Vauxhall Insignia and Land Rover Discovery Sport.

Beyond the Top 10, the wider Top 20 includes a mix of premium SUVs, executive saloons, MPVs and family cars, such as the BMW X5, BMW X6, BMW 5 Series, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Vauxhall Astra, Hyundai Bayon and Dacia Jogger. This spread shows that first-time MOT failures are not confined to any single vehicle category or price point.

The presence of electric models at the top of the rankings highlights how EVs are now a common sight on UK roads and are increasingly reflected in MOT data.

As more electric vehicles reach their first MOT, they are assessed against the same inspection standards as petrol and diesel cars, offering fresh insight into how different types of vehicles perform once they have been in everyday use.

In the UK, cars are required to have their first MOT once they reach three years old, giving a first snapshot of how vehicles perform after a relatively short period of real-world use. While an MOT failure doesn’t automatically mean a car is a “bad” one – many issues can be resolved quickly before a retest – the data does suggest that some models are more likely to need attention sooner than buyers might expect.

It’s also a reminder to used buyers that “nearly new” doesn’t mean “problem free”. By the time a car is three years old, it may have lived very different lives depending on its owner, mileage, and driving environment – and the MOT is often the first time some owners confront the consequences.

Table: The 20 car makes/models with the highest first mandatory MOT fail rates in 2025:

N.B. Only Makes/Models with at least 100 fails in 2025 were considered