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Cars With the Worst Drivetrain Faults

The models that record drivetrain faults defects at MOT most often, from DVSA test data.

Of the models with at least 5,000 DVSA MOT tests from 2004 to March 2026, the Land Rover Defender records the most drivetrain defects and advisories: 1.4 per 100 tests against a UK average of 0.3 per 100 tests across 31,238 tests.

Data: DVSA MOT test results, 2004 to March 2026. Counts include advisories as well as failure items, and older fleets naturally record more wear.

Models with the most drivetrain items recorded at MOT, per 100 tests
Rank Model Items per 100 tests Times UK average Tests
1 Land Rover Defender 1.4 4.7x 31,238
2 Fiat Punto 1.3 4.5x 12,890
3 Suzuki Jimny 0.9 2.9x 5,878
4 Ford Grand C-Max 0.8 2.7x 6,153
5 Ford Fusion 0.7 2.4x 15,316
6 Peugeot 208 0.6 2.1x 30,594
7 Ford Fiesta 0.6 1.9x 295,633
8 Smart Fortwo Coupe 0.6 1.9x 5,595
9 Ford Ka 0.6 1.9x 38,573
10 Peugeot 307 0.6 1.9x 7,919
11 Suzuki Grand Vitara 0.6 1.9x 5,564
12 Fiat 500 0.5 1.8x 61,746
13 Land Rover Discovery 0.5 1.8x 35,598
14 Ford Ecosport 0.5 1.7x 12,743
15 Vauxhall Meriva 0.5 1.6x 19,422
16 Hyundai Getz 0.5 1.7x 5,488
17 Citroen Xsara 0.5 1.7x 7,237
18 Suzuki Splash 0.5 1.6x 5,288
19 Vauxhall Agila 0.5 1.6x 8,589
20 Suzuki Swift 0.4 1.2x 24,366
21 Vauxhall Corsa 0.4 1.4x 171,824
22 Vauxhall Astra 0.4 1.2x 125,470
23 Ford C-Max 0.4 1.4x 21,681
24 MINI One 0.4 1.4x 8,298
25 BMW 218 0.4 1.2x 6,535

Items are every drivetrain defect and advisory recorded, grouped from the tester's notes. Methodology.

Other failure types

Corrosion & Rust Brake Failures Suspension Failures Electrical Faults Lighting Failures Tyre Failures Steering Faults Exhaust & Emissions Failures Bodywork Defects Structural Failures Fuel System Faults Windscreen Defects

Cars most likely to fail an MOT

The 50 lowest pass rates in the UK.

MOT advisories explained

What each advisory means and what it costs to fix.