For many drivers, waiting for an MOT result can be a stressful experience. The prospect of costly repairs, time off the road, and general inconvenience makes a successful MOT a highly desirable outcome.
To help ease MOT anxiety—Tempcover, experts in temporary car insurance, analysed over 33 million MOT test results since 2005. The data reveals which makes and models have the highest and lowest pass rates—along with insights into how the UK’s most popular cars perform.
The Best and Worst MOT Performers
After analysing 33,000,722 test results, Tempcover has identified the five car models most and least likely to pass their MOT test.
| Top five | Bottom Five | |||
| Rank | Car Make & Model | Pass Rate | Car Make & Model | Pass Rate |
| 1 | Honda Jazz Crosstar EX i-MMD CVT | 97.19% | Peugeot 807 | 52.66% |
| 2 | Ferrari 488 | 97.07% | Citroen C8 | 52.71% |
| 3 | Peugeot Expert S L1 BlueHDi | 97.03% | Mitsubishi Space Star | 53.17% |
| 4 | Honda Jazz EX i-MMD CVT | 96.67% | Fiat Stilo | 54.42% |
| 5 | Suzuki Swift SZ3 Dualjet SHVS | 96.66% | Chevrolet Kalos | 54.52% |
The top and bottom five performing cars [1]. Pass rate includes pass with rectification.
While some of these models remain common on UK roads, others are rarer or only available second-hand. But how do the UK’s best-selling cars compare?
While some of these models remain common on UK roads, others are rarer or only available second-hand. But how do the UK’s best-selling cars compare?
MOT Pass Rates for the UK’s Best-Selling Cars
The analysis also looked at how the UK’s top-selling car makes and models perform when it comes to MOT success. The MG HS has the best pass rate (91.86%), while the Ford Puma has the lowest (63.49%).
| Rank | Car Make | Car Model | Pass rate |
| 1 | MG | HS Exclusive | 91.86% |
| 2 | Volvo | XC40 | 91.30% |
| 3 | Hyundai | Tucson | 85.59% |
| 4 | Kia | Sportage | 80.92% |
| 5 | Volkswagen | Golf | 77.16% |
| 6 | Nissan | Qashqai | 74.92% |
| 7 | Nissan | Juke | 74.49% |
| 8 | Volkswagen | Polo | 72.59% |
| 9 | Ford | Puma | 63.49% |
We applied the MOT pass rates and methodology to the UK’s top-selling car makes and models [3]. Pass rate includes pass with rectification.
How the UK’s Best-Selling Car Brands Compare
For those not driving the models above, the research also looked at the overall pass rates of the UK’s best-selling car brands in 2024.
| Rank | Car Brand | Pass rate | Rank | Car Brand | Pass rate |
| 1 | Polestar | 89.97% | 18 | Kia | 78.67% |
| 2 | Porsche | 87.98% | 19 | SEAT | 78.37% |
| 3 | Lexus | 87.22% | 20 | Honda | 78.18% |
| 4 | Tesla | 84.03% | 21 | DS | 77.63% |
| 5 | BMW | 81.83% | 22 | Subaru | 77.44% |
| 6 | MG | 81.47% | 23 | Volvo | 77.00% |
| 7 | Jaguar | 81.19% | 24 | Volkswagen | 76.48% |
| 8 | Audi | 81.11% | 25 | Mazda | 76.41% |
| 9 | MINI | 80.96% | 26 | smart | 75.46% |
| 10 | Skoda | 80.94% | 27 | Ford | 74.77% |
| 11 | Toyota | 80.57% | 28 | Nissan | 74.21% |
| 12 | Mercedes-Benz | 80.15% | 29 | Fiat | 73.51% |
| 13 | Land Rover | 79.99% | 30 | Peugeot | 73.07% |
| 14 | Dacia | 79.67% | 31 | Vauxhall | 71.88% |
| 15 | Suzuki | 79.15% | 32 | Alfa Romeo | 71.29% |
| 16 | Hyundai | 78.81% | 33 | Citroen | 70.78% |
| 17 | Jeep | 78.70% | 34 | Renault | 67.73% |
MOT pass rates among the UK’s top-selling car brands [2]. Pass rate includes pass with rectification.
Supercar Brands and MOT Pass Rates
For those dreaming of driving a supercar, there’s some good news—they tend to perform well in MOTs. Lamborghini tops the list with a 95.81% pass rate, followed by McLaren (94.93%) and Ferrari (94.92%).
Claire Wills-Mckissick expert in temporary car insurance at Tempcover adds:
“While some cars are statistically more likely to pass their MOT, we understand that it can still be a stressful time for many drivers.
The MOT is an important step in ensuring your car is roadworthy and safe. If you find yourself in a situation where repairs are needed, temporary car insurance offers a fully comprehensive, flexible solution, allowing you to borrow a friend or family member’s car and get on the road. This will minimise disruption and give you greater peace of mind during a challenging time.
If you have a vehicle that is declared SORN and you want to get it back on the road, temporary car insurance can also help. With a temporary policy you can legally drive to a pre-arranged MOT appointment. Once your car has passed its MOT, the policy can also be used to tax the vehicle and get it back home safely, making the process as smooth as possible.”
I had a Vauxhall Insignia for seven years, never failed an MoT Test.
Now I have a Ford Fiesta and it has never failed a test either.
I have a 23 year old Nissan Almera and it has never failed a MOT