Britain’s best used cars for passing the MoT test have been revealed in an extensive new study by What Car?.

It analysed more than 745,000 anonymised MoT records published by the Department for Transport to find out the models that had the best rate for passing the MoT test at the first attempt*. Models aged from three to eight years old and with a sample size of at least 100 cars were included in the study.

The winner

The Hyundai Ioniq, which is sold as a hybrid, plug-in hybrid and pure electric vehicle, has the highest average MOT pass rate of 96.18%. Another hybrid, the plug-in BMW i8 (2014-2020) takes second place with a 95.97% pass rate.

While Korean, Japanese and German models dominate the top 10, the Jaguar F-Type (2013-present) is the highest-placed British model in the study, in 14th place with an average MoT pass rate of 90.83%.

The Tesla Model S (2014-present) is the highest ranking pure electric vehicle, in 26th place, with an average pass rate of 89.94%. Although there are many premium models in the top 50, there are also several affordable small cars, including the Peugeot 108 (2014-present) and Toyota Aygo (2014-present).

Not so happy

What Car? has also ranked the top and bottom brands for MoT pass rates. As well as achieving the highest average pass rate, Porsche is the only brand to gain a pass rate of more than 90%.

Although Ssangyong has the lowest MoT pass record, its result of 76.98% means that more than three quarters of its models passed their MOT the first time.

Steve Huntingford, editor of What Car?, said: “One of the first things used buyers do is check a vehicle’s MoT record to see how well it’s been maintained and if it’s suffered lots of faults. Our extensive study reveals the models with the best MoT pass rates, ranging from large SUVs to city cars. Buyers can use it to help them choose the most dependable models.

“Although the top 50 list contains several prestige cars, that tend to have lower mileage and immaculate service records, it’s reassuring to find some budget and family cars in the mix.”

The results come the same week dealers in England and Wales can reopen to the public, following more than three months of closure due to Covid-19.

Ranking Make and Model Average MOT test pass rate Average mileage at MOT test
1 Hyundai Ioniq (2017-present) 96.18% 22,710
2 BMW i8 (2014 – 2020) 95.97% 21,738
3 Porsche Boxster (2012 – 2016) 94.10% 22,243
4 Lexus NX (2014 – present) 93.82% 32,413
5 Porsche 911 (2012 – 2019) 93.72% 20,484
6 Porsche Cayman (2013 – 2016) 92.94% 23,224
7 Porsche Macan (2014 – present) 92.91% 32,289
8 Mazda MX-5 (2016 – present) 92.62% 16,399
9 Lexus RX (2016 – present) 91.95% 27,721
10 Mazda CX-3 (2015 – present) 91.91% 25,652
11 Mercedes-Benz SL (2012 – 2020) 91.67% 25,832
12 BMW X1 (2015 – present) 90.95% 29,753
13 Mercedes-Benz GLA (2014 – 2020) 90.93% 33,093
14 Jaguar F-Type (2013 – present) 90.83% 23,014
15 Mercedes-Benz GLC (2016 – present) 90.78% 32,446
16 Audi A8 (2010 – 2017) 90.77% 53,647
17 Audi TT (2014 – present) 90.63% 27,977
18 Honda HR-V (2013 – present) 90.60% 25,605
19 Mercedes-Benz S-Class (2015 – 2020) 90.52% 48,430
20 BMW i3 (2013 – present) 90.46% 27,717
21 Jaguar F-Pace (2016 – present) 90.43% 30,850
22 Subaru XV (2012 – 2018) 90.36% 39,691
23 BMW 7-Series (2015 – present) 90.13% 36,323
24 Honda Jazz (2015 – 2020) 90.07% 26,755
25 Hyundai i20 (2015 – 2020) 89.94% 26,145
26 Tesla Model S (2014 – present) 89.94% 44,613
27 Vauxhall Viva (2015 – 2019) 89.93% 18,718
28 Jaguar XK (2006 – 2015) 89.87% 28,704
29 BMW 2-Series (2014 – present) 89.74% 32,755
30 Mercedes-Benz E-Class (2016 – present) 89.68% 53,771
31 Toyota Prius (2016 – present) 89.67% 48,996
32 Toyota Aygo (2014 – present) 89.56% 23,132
33 Audi TT (2006 – 2014) 89.40% 42,894
34 Audi Q5 (2008 – 2017) 89.16% 46,026
35 MINI Countryman (2010 – 2017) 89.14% 33,423
36 Lexus RX (2009 – 2016) 89.11% 49,372
37 Mercedes-Benz GLE (2015 – 2019) 89.01% 32,800
38 Suzuki Celerio (2016 – 2019) 88.97% 21,024
39 Lexus IS (2013 – present) 88.96% 48,905
40 Skoda Superb (2015 – present) 88.91% 44,689
41 Toyota GT86 (2012 – present) 88.89% 35,879
42 Peugeot 108 (2014 – present) 88.69% 22,199
43 BMW X4 (2014 – 2018) 88.67% 38,274
44 Suzuki Grand Vitara (2005 – 2015) 88.67% 42,821
45 Mazda MX-5 (2005 – 2015) 88.61% 29,429
46 Audi Q3 (2011 – 2018) 88.59% 41,676
47 Honda CR-V (2012 – 2018) 88.48% 41,855
48 Mercedes-Benz B-Class (2012 – 2019) 88.42% 39,138
49 Jaguar XF (2015 – present) 88.41% 36,990
50 Nissan Pulsar (2014 – 2018) 88.40% 28,739

 

Top 10 manufacturer MOT pass rates 

Rank  Brand Average MOT test pass rate Average mileage at MOT test
1 Porsche 91.15% 32,041
2 Tesla 89.94% 44,613
3 Lexus 88.72% 44,081
4 Subaru 88.46% 39,427
5 Honda 88.41% 35,809
6 MINI 87.45% 33,641
7 Audi 87.25% 46,791
8 Skoda 86.58% 45,932
9 Jeep 86.52% 35,224
10 Mazda 86.32% 40,941

 

Bottom 10 manufacturer MOT pass rates

Rank  Brand  Average MOT test pass rate  Average mileage at MOT test
1 Ssangyong 76.98% 37,911
2 Dacia 78.17% 39,401
3 Citroen 79.72% 38,207
4 Renault 80.20% 37,194
5 Alfa Romeo 80.73% 42,443
6 Vauxhall 81.20% 42,565
7 Fiat 81.22% 33,404
8 Seat 82.08% 44,542
9 Ford 82.58% 40,664
10 Peugeot 82.78% 37,691