The MoT Files: 20 cars with the lowest MoT pass rates
These are the UK's 20 worst cars for passing the MoT. From the Daewoo Matiz (remember that?) to the Peugeot 206, this is the ultimate automotive Hall of Shame.
To keep the list relevant, we've only listed models that had at least 3000 MoT tests in 2017.
>>> Top 20 cars with the highest MoT pass rate
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Daewoo Matiz - 42.2% pass rate
The Daewoo Matiz was superseded by the Chevrolet Matiz in 2005. But from 1998 - 2005, the Matiz wore the Daewoo badge - and did very, very badly in the MoT. In fact, as you can see, it has the worst pass rate of any mainstream car in 2017.
Fiat Multipla - 42.6% pass rate
Love it or hate it, the Multipla definitely offers quirky looks and family friendly practicality. In 2017, over 4500 were MoT tested and more than half of those failed. The majority of those tested were registered in 2005, likely meaning they're Mk2 Multipla. Almost 40 per cent failed on suspension, which is 92 per cent worse than other 2005 cars.
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Daewoo Kalos - 43.5% pass rate
The Daewoo Kalos is impressively terrible at passing the MoT considering it only kicked about for a couple of years in the early Noughties. You can now get one online for £300. But, buyer beware, 2080 of the 3679 models MoT'd in 2017 failed.
Fiat Stilo - 43.9% pass rate
More than 9000 Stilos entered MoT stations across the UK in 2017, but only 5088 left with an MoT certificate at the first time of asking. As with many older cars, most of the remaining cars fail for typical issues like electrics, brakes and suspension.
Citroen Saxo - 44.1% pass rate
The newest Saxo models were over 14 years old as of the 2017 MoT tests. So, it shouldn't surprise anyone to find out that a third failed on lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment. At 90k - 100k miles, the Saxo does about 20 per cent worse than other cars of a similar mileage.
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Peugeot 807 - 44.2% pass rate
The 807 - built from 2002 to 2010 – has some dreadful MoT results, with numerous problems with lighting, electrics and suspension. Things are particularly poor for the 2009/10 models, with rust and braking problems accounting for a worrying high number of failures.
Citroen C8 - 45.2% pass rate
The last of the C8s were built in 2010 before Citroen stopped selling them in the UK, which means they're relatively young in comparison to some of the old-timers in this list. More than 31 per cent of the 2746 that failed their MoT in 2017 did so because of problems with lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment.
Mitsubishi Space Star - 45.9% pass rate
The Mitsubishi Space Star doesn't really live up to its exciting name. There were only 7092 MoT tested in 2017 and 2004 models were the most common, but 30 per cent failed on suspension - which is 48 per cent worse than other 2004 cars.
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Ford Puma - 46.3% pass rate
In its heyday, the Puma was best known for its Steve McQueen advertising campaign. Sadly, the now worn-out models are mostly known for suspension and brake failures. More than 9000 Pumas were MoT tested in 2017 and 4866 failed.
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Peugeot 307 - 46.9% pass rate
Peugeot ceased production of the 307 in the UK in 2007, making it one of the newest cars in our top 20, despite the newest models being 12 years old (10 years old at the time of the 2017 MoT). There are still plenty around, but build quality means the 307 falls short in a variety of areas.
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Mitsubishi Carisma - 46.9% pass rate
The Mitsubishi Carisma was in sold on the UK market from 1995 – 2004. Some 5000 were MoT'd in 2017, with most of those being models from 2003. The majority failed on the headlights and electrics, closely followed by suspension and brakes.
Renault Megane Scenic - 47.1% pass rate
The Megane Scenic MoT data runs from models registered in 1997 to 2008, so the high rate of MoT failure can be chalked up to surviving models on their last legs. The most common reasons for MoT failure on this model were electrical equipment (30.1 per cent), suspension (21.9 per cent) and brakes (17.4 per cent).
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Fiat Seicento - 47.3% pass rate
The little Seicento is about as sturdy as a coke can, which explains the absolutely horrific 1.5-star EuroNCAP safety rating it got in 2000. Production ran from 1998 to 2003, with the majority of the 7202 that went for MoTs in 2017 being 2002 models. Not to harp on about safety, but almost a third failed for brake issues...
Peugeot 206 - 47.5% pass rate
Incredibly, more than 204,000 206s went for an MoT in 2017, with 126,621 not coming back out of the testing station with an MoT certificate. The sheer number of 206s still kicking about since production ended in 2006 is impressive, and contributes to the high rate of MoT failure.
Alfa Romeo 156 - 47.5% pass rate
While the 156 is well-liked by owners, it doesn't fare so well with MoT testers. Running from 1998 - 2005, we think this Alfa has a chance of becoming a modern classic, but build quality (at least on 2001 models) doesn't seem to be its strong suit - with 'leaks' found during the MoT being three times worse than other 2001 cars.
Citroen Xsara Picasso - 48.1% pass rate
A whopping 118,784 Xsara Picassos went for an MoT in 2017, with models from 2004 to 2006 making up the majority of those tested. It's noisy, feels cheap and isn't particularly robust - but the saving grace of that 1.6 HDI diesel engine means this inexpensive, spacious family car was one of the most popular people carriers ever made.
Peugeot 106 - 48.2% pass rate
The 106 is a cheap runabout, often bought by new drivers. Production ended in 2002 and most of the 25,208 models that went for an MoT in 2017 were registered in 2001 or 2002. Not to play into stereotypes about the electrics of French cars, but more than a quarter of those tested failed for problems related to electrical equipment, lamps and reflectors...
Vauxhall Signum - 48.3% pass rate
The Signum ceased production in 2008. So, compared to a lot of cars in this list, it isn't that old. Of the 7839 tested, 4052 failed. The majority of failures were down to suspension issues. Although, it's worth noting that newer models (from 2008) are on par with average MoT pass rates. The older models, like those from 2003 and 2004 do about eight per cent worse than average.
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Peugeot 306 - 48.5% pass rate
The Peugeot 306 ceased production in 2003, so those that are left are well past their best. Of the 23,207 models that went for an MoT in 2017, 11,945 failed - with more than 25 per cent failing for brake issues. One in 10 was also failed due to illegal or damaged tyres.
Mazda 323 - 48.5% pass rate
Fewer than 50 per cent of Mazda 323s pass the MoT. That said, the newer, post-2000 models fared better, with 29.1 per cent failing for suspension issues, while 20.4 per cent failed for issues with lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment.
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