Most Reliable Used Cars: MOT Fail Rates Age for Age (2025)

Which used cars fail their MOT least, age for age?

The 20 models with the fewest first-time MOT fails compared with the average car of the same age. Mileage is shown alongside, as a share of the same-age average, because cars that cover fewer miles wear less.

Most reliable used cars on 2025 MOT results, age for age
#	Model	Fails vs same-age average	Initial fail rate, ages 3 to 20	Miles vs same-age average
1	Porsche 911	73% fewer	8.0%	53%
2	Porsche Boxster	65% fewer	11.9%	61%
3	Porsche Cayman	63% fewer	11.1%	63%
4	Jaguar F-Type	59% fewer	9.0%	55%
5	Lexus RX	56% fewer	9.2%	103%
6	Lexus UX	50% fewer	6.3%	90%
7	Porsche Macan	49% fewer	9.3%	94%
8	BMW 7 Series	47% fewer	13.8%	130%
9	Lexus IS	46% fewer	14.3%	120%
10	Lexus NX	45% fewer	9.8%	96%
11	Porsche Cayenne	44% fewer	14.3%	110%
12	Mercedes-Benz S-Class	44% fewer	15.4%	123%
13	Audi A7	40% fewer	15.5%	122%
14	Lexus CT	38% fewer	17.4%	109%
15	BMW Z4	38% fewer	20.8%	74%
16	BMW M4	36% fewer	12.3%	76%
17	Honda HR-V	36% fewer	11.8%	86%
18	BMW 6 Series	35% fewer	20.1%	107%
19	Jaguar XJ	34% fewer	22.6%	100%
20	Audi Q2	34% fewer	9.9%	95%

A mileage figure under 100% means owners covered fewer miles than average for cars of that age. Sports cars near the top of the list do far fewer miles, so part of their lead is gentle use.

Which cars are the most reliable at each age?

The ten models with the lowest first-time MOT fail rate within each age band, among models with at least 5,000 tests at those ages.

Cars three to five years old

Lowest MOT fail rates for cars three to five years old, 2025
#	Model	Initial fail rate	Tests
1	Porsche 911	4.1%	5,758
2	Lexus RX	5.0%	5,595
3	Lexus UX	6.1%	12,666
4	Honda HR-V	6.2%	10,489
5	Porsche Macan	6.6%	11,837
6	Lexus NX	7.1%	11,547
7	Honda Jazz	7.2%	35,882
8	Porsche Cayenne	7.3%	6,368
9	Honda CR-V	7.6%	16,538
10	Suzuki Vitara	7.7%	17,730

Cars six to nine years old

Lowest MOT fail rates for cars six to nine years old, 2025
#	Model	Initial fail rate	Tests
1	Porsche 911	5.7%	8,034
2	Lexus RX	7.4%	7,637
3	Jaguar F-Type	8.5%	7,561
4	Porsche Macan	9.5%	18,209
5	BMW 7 Series	10.2%	6,323
6	Volkswagen T-Roc	10.4%	36,718
7	Lexus NX	10.7%	16,148
8	Mazda MX-5	11.0%	16,916
9	Lexus IS	11.4%	6,138
10	Audi TT	11.5%	25,382

Cars 10 to 14 years old

Lowest MOT fail rates for cars 10 to 14 years old, 2025
#	Model	Initial fail rate	Tests
1	Porsche 911	6.4%	7,389
2	Porsche Boxster	9.2%	5,411
3	Jaguar F-Type	9.7%	5,132
4	Lexus RX	15.3%	5,362
5	Lexus IS	15.4%	7,796
6	Mercedes-Benz S-Class	15.9%	6,687
7	Porsche Cayenne	16.2%	9,440
8	Audi A7	17.9%	8,240
9	Audi Q7	18.7%	13,221
10	BMW Z4	18.9%	8,876

Which used cars fail their MOT most, age for age?

The ten models with the most first-time MOT fails compared with the average car of the same age.

Used cars most likely to fail their MOT for their age, 2025
Model	Fails vs same-age average	Initial fail rate, ages 3 to 20	Miles vs same-age average
DS Automobiles DS 3	56% more	33.1%	86%
Dacia Duster	54% more	29.0%	99%
Fiat Tipo	53% more	28.2%	105%
Tesla Model Y	53% more	16.2%	136%
Dacia Sandero	50% more	31.0%	85%
MG5	44% more	15.9%	165%
Citroen DS3	44% more	48.2%	95%
Renault Clio	43% more	42.9%	87%
Mercedes-Benz EQC	42% more	16.4%	115%
Peugeot 5008	41% more	28.7%	116%

How is this ranking worked out?

Each model is compared with the average car of the same age. For every age from 3 to 20 years, we take the national first-time fail rate, work out how many fails a model would have had at that rate, and set that against the fails it really had.

A first-time fail counts both outright fails and cars that passed only after a repair during the test. The figures come from DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT on a car in 2025, and only models with at least 12,000 tests are ranked.

Commercial vans and pick-ups are left out, as are models sold mainly as vans, such as the Citroen Berlingo, Peugeot Partner and Volkswagen Caddy, because they work far harder than cars.

Does a low MOT fail rate mean a car is reliable?

A low MOT fail rate is a good sign, but not a full reliability score. The MOT checks roadworthiness on the day, so it catches worn tyres, brakes, lights and suspension, and misses breakdowns between tests.

Owners matter too. A car driven gently and serviced on time does better whatever its badge, which is why mileage sits next to the rankings. Check any individual car with our free MOT check, which shows its own test history, and compare its mileage with the average for its age.

Contains DVSA anonymised MOT testing data © Crown copyright, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Most reliable used cars: common questions

What is the most reliable used car in the UK on MOT results?

The Porsche 911 had the lowest MOT fail rate for its age in DVSA's 2025 figures, failing 73% less often than the average car of the same age. Its owners also cover 53% of the average mileage for its age on the same figures, which helps.

Which used cars fail their MOT most often for their age?

The DS Automobiles DS 3 had the highest MOT fail rate for its age in DVSA's 2025 figures, failing 56% more often than the average car of the same age, on 36,113 tests at ages 3 to 20.

How do MOT fail rates change with age?

They climb steadily. In DVSA's 2025 results for all cars, 10.6% of three-year-olds failed first time, rising to 27.4% at 10 years and 40.5% at 15.

Does a low MOT fail rate mean a car will not break down?

Not on its own. The MOT checks roadworthiness on the day, such as tyres, brakes, lights and suspension, so a low fail rate shows cars that stay safe and well kept, not a guarantee against mechanical failure.

Figures last checked against the official source on 23 September 2026. Check the source yourself.

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The most reliable used cars, by MOT fail rate