Cars to Avoid
UK vehicles with the highest MOT failure rates
Avoid models with frequent issues and high repair costs, based on millions of MOT tests analyzed by Dave.
Worst Cars Overall
Mazda 3 (2008–2008)
2008–2008
Key Issues
- Suspension defects
- Brakes defects
- Tyres defects
Average Repair Cost
£250 – £1,550
Estimated £250 – £1,550
Nissan QASHQAI (2008–2010)
2008–2010
Key Issues
- Suspension defects
- Brakes defects
- Tyres defects
Average Repair Cost
£250 – £1,550
Estimated £250 – £1,550
Citroen DS3 (2011–2012)
2011–2012
Key Issues
Hyundai I20 (2012–2012)
2012–2012
Key Issues
- Tyres defects
- Brakes defects
- Lights defects
Average Repair Cost
£145 – £950
Estimated £145 – £950
Renault CLIO (2010–2013)
2010–2013
Key Issues
- Brakes defects
- Tyres defects
- Tyres defects
Average Repair Cost
£180 – £1,050
Estimated £180 – £1,050
Citroen C3 (2010–2012)
2010–2012
Key Issues
- Tyres defects
- Brakes defects
- Brakes defects
Average Repair Cost
£210 – £1,200
Estimated £210 – £1,200
Peugeot 207 (2009–2009)
2009–2009
Key Issues
- Tyres defects
- Tyres defects
- Brakes defects
Average Repair Cost
£180 – £1,050
Estimated £180 – £1,050
Fiat 500 (2010–2011)
2010–2011
Key Issues
- Brakes defects
- Brakes defects
- Tyres defects
Average Repair Cost
£210 – £1,200
Estimated £210 – £1,200
Renault MEGANE (2009–2014)
2009–2014
Key Issues
- Brakes defects
- Tyres defects
- Tyres defects
Average Repair Cost
£180 – £1,050
Estimated £180 – £1,050
Ford FIESTA (2008–2014)
2008–2014
Key Issues
- Tyres defects
- Tyres defects
- Tyres defects
Average Repair Cost
£150 – £900
Estimated £150 – £900
Failure Rate By Mileage
Mileage breakdown data available after MOT bulk import
Run php artisan mot:bulk-import
Check if a car is risky
Most Avoided Cars (2026)
How This Works
- Millions of MOT records analyzed
- Failure frequency weighted by age & mileage bands
- Compared against national averages from DVSA bulk data
- AI-enhanced narratives layered on real statistics
- Repair cost estimates sourced from UK garages
FAQs
Dave's Tip
Before considering any used car purchase, check its complete MOT history before buying. It could save you thousands.
🚫 Highest MOT Failure Rates (8)
View all 8Citroen DS3
2011–2012
The Citroen DS3 (2011-2012) has a concerning MOT failure rate of 31.9%.
Nissan QASHQAI
2008–2011
The Nissan QASHQAI (2008-2011) has a concerning 31.4% MOT failure rate, indicating reliability issues.
Typical cost: £250 – £1,550
Peugeot 207
2009–2009
The Peugeot 207 (2009) has a concerning MOT failure rate of 31.8%, indicating reliability issues.
Typical cost: £180 – £1,050
Renault CLIO
2010–2013
The Renault CLIO (2010-2013) has a concerning MOT failure rate of 30.6%.
Typical cost: £180 – £1,050
Citroen C3
2009–2010
The Citroen C3 (2009-2010) has a concerning MOT failure rate of 30.7%, indicating reliability issues.
Typical cost: £210 – £1,200
🔧 Worst for Corrosion (23)
View all 23Ford KA
2010–2010
The Ford KA (2010-2010) has a high corrosion failure rate, making it a poor choice for buyers.
Typical cost: £250 – £1,550
Fiat 500
2010–2011
The Fiat 500 (2010-2011) has a concerning MOT failure rate of 30.6%, particularly for corrosion issues.
Typical cost: £210 – £1,200
Mazda 3
2008–2014
The Mazda 3 (2008-2014) has a concerning MOT failure rate of 25.6%, particularly for corrosion issues.
Typical cost: £250 – £1,550
Toyota YARIS
2008–2008
The 2008 Toyota Yaris shows a concerning 24.9% overall MOT failure rate, particularly for corrosion.
Typical cost: £150 – £900
Ford FOCUS
2008–2012
The Ford FOCUS (2008-2012) has a high MOT failure rate, particularly for corrosion-related issues.
Typical cost: £220 – £1,400
⚡ Chronic Electrical Problems (14)
View all 14Hyundai I20
2012–2012
The Hyundai I20 (2012-2012) shows concerning electrical problem trends in MOT data.
Typical cost: £145 – £950
Volkswagen GOLF
2010–2012
The Volkswagen Golf (2010-2012) has a concerning failure rate for chronic electrical problems.
Typical cost: £180 – £1,050
Kia PICANTO
2011–2011
The Kia Picanto (2011-2011) has a concerning MOT failure rate, particularly for electrical issues.
Typical cost: £180 – £1,050
Volkswagen POLO
2008–2010
The Volkswagen POLO (2008-2010) has a concerning MOT failure rate of 28.6%, indicating reliability issues.
Typical cost: £250 – £1,550
Bmw 3 SERIES
2009–2009
The BMW 3 Series (2009-2009) has a concerning 22.7% overall MOT failure rate, indicating reliability issues.
Typical cost: £180 – £1,050
🔥 Known Engine Defects (24)
View all 24Peugeot 208
2013–2019
The Peugeot 208 (2013-2019) has a concerning MOT failure rate of 23.2%, indicating reliability issues.
Typical cost: £180 – £1,050
Peugeot 2008
2015–2015
The Peugeot 2008 (2015-2015) has a concerning MOT failure rate and significant engine defect issues.
Typical cost: £145 – £950
Vauxhall ASTRA
2008–2012
The Vauxhall Astra (2008-2012) has a concerning 24.5% overall MOT failure rate, indicating significant reliability issues.
Typical cost: £150 – £900
Vauxhall ZAFIRA
2010–2015
The Vauxhall ZAFIRA (2010-2015) has a concerning 24% overall MOT failure rate, indicating reliability issues.
Typical cost: £250 – £1,550
Ford S-MAX
2008–2008
The Ford S-MAX (2008-2008) has a concerning MOT failure rate of 27%, indicating reliability issues.
Typical cost: £250 – £1,550
🛞 Expensive Suspension Problems (23)
View all 23Vauxhall CORSA
2010–2010
The Vauxhall CORSA (2010-2010) has a high incidence of expensive suspension problems.
Typical cost: £215 – £1,450
Nissan JUKE
2013–2017
The Nissan JUKE (2013-2017) has a high incidence of costly suspension failures.
Typical cost: £250 – £1,550
Renault MEGANE
2010–2011
The Renault MEGANE (2010-2011) has a high failure rate due to expensive suspension issues.
Typical cost: £180 – £1,050
Audi A1
2011–2014
The Audi A1 (2011-2014) has a concerning failure rate for suspension issues, warranting caution.
Typical cost: £210 – £1,200
Vauxhall MOKKA
2016–2016
The Vauxhall MOKKA (2016) has a high incidence of expensive suspension problems.
Typical cost: £180 – £1,050
About this data
This information is compiled from DVSA published MOT failure statistics, manufacturer recalls and Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs), and widely documented engineering defects. Individual vehicles may differ — always check a specific car's history before buying.
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