UK MOT statistics 2024/25
Pass rates, the most common failure reasons and the defects that make cars dangerous, from official DVSA testing data for Great Britain.
- car and van MOT tests in 2024/25
- 33.1m
- failed their initial test
- 28.08%
- defects on the average failed test
- 2.44
- of tests found a dangerous defect
- 7.7%
The most common MOT failure reasons
Share of all car and light van MOTs in 2024/25 that failed with at least one defect in each category. Lighting problems remain the single biggest cause of failure, ahead of suspension and brakes. The average failed test recorded 2.44 defects.
Percentages are of all initial tests; a failed test can appear in several categories, so figures sum to more than the 28.08% overall failure rate.
Tyres cause 60.12% of dangerous defects
A dangerous defect means the tester judged the vehicle an immediate risk: it must not be driven until repaired. In 2024/25, 7.7% of all car MOTs uncovered at least one dangerous defect, and tyres were the cause of 60.12% of them. Brakes were second at 29.01%. Every other category combined accounted for roughly one dangerous defect in ten.
The practical lesson for buyers: check tyre condition and dates first, and read the vehicle's MOT history for recurring tyre and brake advisories before viewing.
Failure categories in full
| Category | % of tests | % of all defects | % of dangerous defects |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors & electrical | 10.89% | 25.01% | 1.27% |
| Suspension | 8.73% | 19.39% | 5.34% |
| Brakes | 6.63% | 16.15% | 29.01% |
| Tyres | 6.39% | 12.86% | 60.12% |
| Driver’s view of the road | 4.54% | 7.95% | 0.11% |
| Body, chassis & structure | 3.41% | 6.34% | 1.82% |
| Noise, emissions & leaks | 3.15% | 5.8% | 0.29% |
| Steering | 1.97% | 3.5% | 0.99% |
| Seat belts & airbags | 0.97% | 1.62% | 0.24% |
| Road wheels | 0.38% | 0.74% | 0.81% |
Failure rates also differ sharply by vehicle type. Class 7 vans (3,000 to 3,500kg) are the worst performers, failing 35.31% of initial tests in 2024/25, while motorcycles do best at 14%. Cars sit between the two, and 1,793,797 of them passed only after faults were fixed during the same test visit.
The latest published quarter (April to June 2025) puts the car initial failure rate at 27.24%, slightly better than the 2024/25 average.
MOT statistics FAQs
- What percentage of cars fail their MOT?
- In 2024/25, 28.08% of the 33.1 million car and light van MOTs in Great Britain failed at the first attempt. After same-visit repairs, the final failure rate fell to 22.67%. The latest quarter (April to June 2025) shows a 27.24% initial failure rate.
- What is the most common MOT failure?
- Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment. In 2024/25, 10.89% of all car MOTs failed with a lighting defect, and lighting accounted for 25.01% of every failure item recorded. Suspension (8.73% of tests) and brakes (6.63%) come next.
- What is the most dangerous MOT defect?
- Tyres. They caused 60.12% of all dangerous defects recorded at car MOTs in 2024/25, far ahead of brakes at 29.01%. A dangerous defect means the vehicle must not be driven until it is repaired.
- How many MOT tests are done each year in the UK?
- Around 33.1 million car and light van MOTs (Classes 3 and 4) were carried out in Great Britain in 2024/25, according to DVSA figures. Motorcycles and heavier vans add several million more tests on top.
- Do vans fail their MOT more than cars?
- Yes. Class 7 vans (3,000 to 3,500kg) had a 35.31% initial failure rate in 2024/25, noticeably worse than the 28.08% for cars. Motorcycles do best at 14%.
Source
All figures are from MOT testing data for Great Britain (DVSA), covering Classes 3 and 4 (cars, vans and passenger vehicles up to 12 seats) unless stated otherwise. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Figures last checked on 6 August 2026. You are welcome to cite this page; please credit Free Reg Check with a link.
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