Best first car? MOT pass rates of popular first cars

4,068,392 initial MOT tests in 2025 on cars first used 2013–2020 · DVSA data · For guidance only · How the table works

These are 26 small cars commonly bought as first cars. For each one, the table shows how often it passed its MOT first time at about 5 to 12 years old, against the same-age average: all vehicles first used in the same years.

An MOT pass rate is one signal. Insurance, price and the individual car matter more. We have no insurance-group or price data, so this page doesn't cover them and doesn't guess.

Above the same-age average14 of 26 models
Below the same-age average10 of 26 models
Can't be told apart from average2 of 26 models

Above and below mean beyond the 95% margin of error. Before you buy, check the car's own MOT history for free and see what else to check on a used car.

First-time MOT pass rates at 5 to 12 years old

Cars first used 2013–2020, tested in 2025, all those years together. Sorted by the gap to the same-age average.

#	Car	Passed first time	Against the same-age average
1	Honda Jazz2013–2020 · 142,868 tests	85.5%±0.2	+10.1 ptsabove average
2	Volkswagen Up2013–2020 · 109,183 tests	79.7%±0.3	+6.1 ptsabove average
joint 3	Toyota Aygo2013–2020 · 161,460 tests	81.3%±0.2	+4.9 ptsabove average
joint 3	Peugeot 1082014–2020 · 72,378 tests	80.7%±0.3	+4.6 ptsabove average
joint 3	Skoda Citigo2013–2019 · 48,058 tests	78.1%±0.4	+4.3 ptsabove average
joint 6	Toyota Yaris2013–2020 · 221,068 tests	79.7%±0.2	+3.9 ptsabove average
joint 6	Peugeot 1072013–2014 · 24,528 tests	70.3%±0.6	+3.5 ptsabove average
joint 8	SEAT Mii2013–2019 · 15,543 tests	75.6%±0.7	+2.9 ptsabove average
joint 8	Citroen C12013–2020 · 88,385 tests	76.3%±0.3	+2.6 ptsabove average
joint 8	Suzuki Swift2013–2020 · 78,641 tests	78.3%±0.3	+2.3 ptsabove average
joint 11	Hyundai i202013–2020 · 83,511 tests	76.2%±0.3	+1.6 ptsabove average
joint 11	Hyundai i102013–2020 · 156,728 tests	76.7%±0.3	+1.6 ptsabove average
joint 13	Skoda Fabia2013–2020 · 128,589 tests	76.3%±0.3	+0.8 ptsabove average
joint 13	Kia Picanto2013–2020 · 109,116 tests	77.0%±0.3	+0.7 ptsabove average
joint 13	Kia Rio2013–2020 · 62,422 tests	74.4%±0.4	+0.2 ptsabout average
16	Ford Ka2013–2019 · 91,725 tests	73.5%±0.3	0.0 ptsabout average
17	Fiat Panda2013–2020 · 38,255 tests	71.7%±0.5	−1.4 ptsbelow average
18	Volkswagen Polo2013–2020 · 337,992 tests	73.4%±0.2	−2.2 ptsbelow average
joint 19	Ford Fiesta2013–2020 · 775,583 tests	70.9%±0.2	−4.0 ptsbelow average
joint 19	Nissan Micra2013–2020 · 86,288 tests	70.9%±0.4	−4.1 ptsbelow average
21	Fiat 5002013–2020 · 218,069 tests	69.7%±0.2	−4.7 ptsbelow average
22	Peugeot 2082013–2020 · 173,857 tests	68.6%±0.3	−5.7 ptsbelow average
23	SEAT Ibiza2013–2020 · 120,564 tests	68.5%±0.3	−6.6 ptsbelow average
joint 24	Vauxhall Corsa2013–2020 · 506,144 tests	67.6%±0.2	−7.5 ptsbelow average
joint 24	Vauxhall Adam2013–2019 · 58,716 tests	65.7%±0.4	−7.8 ptsbelow average
26	Renault Clio2013–2020 · 158,721 tests	61.3%±0.3	−13.8 ptsbelow average

Cars sharing a number with "=" can't be told apart. ± is the 95% margin of error in points; "about average" means the difference from the same-age average is within it. Each model's same-age average is weighted by its own tests in each first-use year, so it differs a little from row to row. Years under a name are the ones with enough tests.

Common MOT failures and what to check

For each model, the defects recorded most often at its failed initial tests, all first-use years together, in the DVSA's own words, as on its model page. Shares are of that model's failed tests, and a failed test can have more than one defect. The check is a general one anyone can do when viewing, not a mechanical inspection.

Honda Jazz
- Position lamp not working: 17.4% of failed tests (all vehicles, same age: 11.3%)
- Wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively: 11.9% of failed tests (all vehicles, same age: 6.4%)
When viewing: Ask the seller to help you check every light: dipped and main beam, brake lights, indicators, fog lights and the number plate lamp.
Volkswagen Up
- Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn: 7.3% of failed tests (all vehicles, same age: 4.5%)
- Wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively: 7.1% of failed tests (all vehicles, same age: 6.3%)
When viewing: Push down hard on each corner. The car should rise once and settle, not keep bouncing.
Toyota Aygo
- Position lamp not working: 10.3% of failed tests (all vehicles, same age: 9.2%)
- Wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively: 10.2% of failed tests (all vehicles, same age: 6.5%)
When viewing: Ask the seller to help you check every light: dipped and main beam, brake lights, indicators, fog lights and the number plate lamp.
Peugeot 108
- Wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively: 11.8% of failed tests (all vehicles, same age: 7.0%)
- Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm: 9.5% of failed tests (all vehicles, same age: 9.0%)
When viewing: Run the wipers and washers. The blades should clear the screen without smearing.
Skoda Citigo
- Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn: 9.6% of failed tests (all vehicles, same age: 4.5%)
- Position lamp not working: 8.1% of failed tests (all vehicles, same age: 6.3%)
When viewing: Push down hard on each corner. The car should rise once and settle, not keep bouncing.
Toyota Yaris
- Position lamp not working: 13.8% of failed tests (all vehicles, same age: 10.1%)
- Coil spring fractured or broken: 11.7% of failed tests (all vehicles, same age: 8.4%)
When viewing: Ask the seller to help you check every light: dipped and main beam, brake lights, indicators, fog lights and the number plate lamp.
Peugeot 107
- Position lamp not working: 15.5% of failed tests (all vehicles, same age: 12.7%)
- Service brake performance excessively binding: 12.1% of failed tests (all vehicles, same age: 3.4%)
When viewing: Ask the seller to help you check every light: dipped and main beam, brake lights, indicators, fog lights and the number plate lamp.
SEAT Mii
- Position lamp not working: 8.7% of failed tests (all vehicles, same age: 6.9%)
- Service brake performance excessively binding: 8.1% of failed tests (all vehicles, same age: 2.2%)
When viewing: Ask the seller to help you check every light: dipped and main beam, brake lights, indicators, fog lights and the number plate lamp.
Citroen C1
- Position lamp not working: 12.0% of failed tests (all vehicles, same age: 10.3%)
- Service brake performance excessively binding: 10.6% of failed tests (all vehicles, same age: 2.9%)
When viewing: Ask the seller to help you check every light: dipped and main beam, brake lights, indicators, fog lights and the number plate lamp.
Suzuki Swift
- Position lamp not working: 17.3% of failed tests (all vehicles, same age: 9.5%)
- Stop lamp not working: 14.4% of failed tests (all vehicles, same age: 7.0%)
When viewing: Ask the seller to help you check every light: dipped and main beam, brake lights, indicators, fog lights and the number plate lamp.
Hyundai i20
- Position lamp not working: 14.2% of failed tests (all vehicles, same age: 8.7%)
- Wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively: 10.7% of failed tests (all vehicles, same age: 6.3%)
When viewing: Ask the seller to help you check every light: dipped and main beam, brake lights, indicators, fog lights and the number plate lamp.
Hyundai i10
- Wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively: 12.0% of failed tests (all vehicles, same age: 6.3%)
- Position lamp not working: 11.7% of failed tests (all vehicles, same age: 8.8%)
When viewing: Run the wipers and washers. The blades should clear the screen without smearing.
Skoda Fabia
- Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn: 12.6% of failed tests (all vehicles, same age: 4.6%)
- Position lamp not working: 9.5% of failed tests (all vehicles, same age: 9.3%)
When viewing: Push down hard on each corner. The car should rise once and settle, not keep bouncing.
Kia Picanto
- Parking brake efficiency below requirements: 12.1% of failed tests (all vehicles, same age: 3.9%)
- Position lamp not working: 12.0% of failed tests (all vehicles, same age: 9.0%)
When viewing: On a clear road, brake firmly. The car should stop in a straight line without juddering or pulling to one side.
Kia Rio
- Position lamp not working: 11.0% of failed tests (all vehicles, same age: 8.8%)
- Wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively: 9.1% of failed tests (all vehicles, same age: 6.1%)
When viewing: Ask the seller to help you check every light: dipped and main beam, brake lights, indicators, fog lights and the number plate lamp.
Ford Ka
- Stop lamp not working: 9.8% of failed tests (all vehicles, same age: 7.4%)
- Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak: 9.7% of failed tests (all vehicles, same age: 3.4%)
When viewing: Ask the seller to help you check every light: dipped and main beam, brake lights, indicators, fog lights and the number plate lamp.
Fiat Panda
- Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn: 10.4% of failed tests (all vehicles, same age: 5.0%)
- Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm: 9.7% of failed tests (all vehicles, same age: 7.5%)
When viewing: Push down hard on each corner. The car should rise once and settle, not keep bouncing.
Volkswagen Polo
- Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn: 9.2% of failed tests (all vehicles, same age: 4.6%)
- Position lamp not working: 7.6% of failed tests (all vehicles, same age: 9.4%)
When viewing: Push down hard on each corner. The car should rise once and settle, not keep bouncing.
Ford Fiesta
- Stop lamp not working: 18.0% of failed tests (all vehicles, same age: 7.1%)
- Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn: 13.5% of failed tests (all vehicles, same age: 5.6%)
When viewing: Ask the seller to help you check every light: dipped and main beam, brake lights, indicators, fog lights and the number plate lamp.
Nissan Micra
- Position lamp not working: 13.4% of failed tests (all vehicles, same age: 10.6%)
- Registration plate lamp(s) inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps: 11.2% of failed tests (all vehicles, same age: 4.2%)
When viewing: Ask the seller to help you check every light: dipped and main beam, brake lights, indicators, fog lights and the number plate lamp.
Fiat 500
- Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn: 15.3% of failed tests (all vehicles, same age: 4.6%)
- Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak: 8.7% of failed tests (all vehicles, same age: 3.2%)
When viewing: Push down hard on each corner. The car should rise once and settle, not keep bouncing.
Peugeot 208
- Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt: 13.4% of failed tests (all vehicles, same age: 4.0%)
- Headlamp not working on dipped beam: 10.6% of failed tests (all vehicles, same age: 4.9%)
When viewing: Open and close every door, the bonnet and the boot. They should latch properly.
SEAT Ibiza
- Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn: 12.1% of failed tests (all vehicles, same age: 4.6%)
- Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm: 9.7% of failed tests (all vehicles, same age: 8.2%)
When viewing: Push down hard on each corner. The car should rise once and settle, not keep bouncing.
Vauxhall Corsa
- Coil spring fractured or broken: 17.5% of failed tests (all vehicles, same age: 9.2%)
- Stop lamp not working: 9.6% of failed tests (all vehicles, same age: 6.7%)
When viewing: Push down hard on each corner. The car should rise once and settle, not keep bouncing.
Vauxhall Adam
- Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak: 18.8% of failed tests (all vehicles, same age: 2.9%)
- Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt: 18.3% of failed tests (all vehicles, same age: 1.8%)
When viewing: Push down hard on each corner. The car should rise once and settle, not keep bouncing.
Renault Clio
- Coil spring fractured or broken: 20.2% of failed tests (all vehicles, same age: 9.0%)
- Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn: 15.8% of failed tests (all vehicles, same age: 5.4%)
When viewing: Push down hard on each corner. The car should rise once and settle, not keep bouncing.

What MOT data can't tell you about a first car

This page has no insurance groups, prices, fuel economy, tax or repair costs. We don't have that data, so we don't estimate it. An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. It doesn't record breakdowns or engine and gearbox faults, and cars that cover fewer miles tend to pass more often.

Whatever the model, the car in front of you matters more than its model's average.

Check a car's MOT history for free Used car check: what to check before you buy Finance, write-offs and theft: compare history checks

How the table works

The models are small cars commonly bought as first cars. We chose the list by hand. It isn't from a survey or sales figures, and pass rates played no part in choosing it.
Each row is one model's initial MOT tests in 2025 on cars first used 2013–2020, about 5 to 12 years old, all those years together. A model needs at least 5,000 tests across those years.
The rate is the first-time pass rate: initial tests passed with no repairs. Retests aren't counted.
The same-age average is the first-time pass rate of all class 4 vehicles first used in the same years, including small vans, weighted by the model's own tests in each year.
± is the 95% margin of error (Wilson interval); the widest here is ±0.7 points. A model counts as above or below average only when its whole 95% range is above or below it.
Rows are sorted by the gap to the same-age average. Cars that can't be told apart share a number, shown with "=": a car shares the number of the first car in its group when the 95% ranges of their gaps overlap.

4,068,392 tests behind the table. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests, 2025. How we count

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