Brake disc wear at the MOT: which cars fail on it most
2.0% of failed initial MOT tests in 2025 recorded this defect: 182,300 of 9,185,328. By age, it was most common on vehicles 6 to 9 years old (2.3%) and least common on vehicles under 3 years old (0.9%).
It is one of the 10 most common MOT failures on 17 of the 332 car models we cover. Against vehicles of the same age, it was most common on the MG HS, the Skoda Kamiq and the Skoda Scala. On the MG HS, 6.7% of failed tests had it, against 1.4% for all vehicles of the same age.
The DVSA records it as “Brake disc significantly and obviously worn”. A failed test can have several defects.
What the MOT checks
A brake disc that is significantly and obviously worn.
The MOT inspection manual lists “Brake disc or drum significantly and obviously worn” as a major defect, so the vehicle fails.
The manual also says: “Being worn below the manufacturer’s recommended limits is not a reason in itself.”
Car models where it is most common
| # | Car | Share of failed tests | Against same age |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | MG HS3,794 failed tests | 6.7%254 tests | 4.7×all: 1.4% |
| 2 | Skoda Kamiq2,596 failed tests | 7.6%198 tests | 4.4×all: 1.7% |
| 3 | Skoda Scala1,309 failed tests | 7.7%101 tests | 4.1×all: 1.9% |
| 4 | Citroen C3 Aircross5,263 failed tests | 8.2%429 tests | 3.8×all: 2.1% |
| 5 | Vauxhall Crossland12,550 failed tests | 7.4%931 tests | 3.6×all: 2.1% |
| 6 | SEAT Arona8,761 failed tests | 6.0%528 tests | 2.9×all: 2.1% |
| 7 | MG ZS10,837 failed tests | 5.1%557 tests | 2.8×all: 1.9% |
| 8 | Volkswagen T-Cross3,508 failed tests | 5.1%179 tests | 2.6×all: 2.0% |
| 9 | Jaguar E-Pace4,068 failed tests | 4.8%196 tests | 2.2×all: 2.2% |
| 10 | Skoda Rapid5,761 failed tests | 4.8%275 tests | 2.1×all: 2.3% |
| 11 | Abarth 5953,579 failed tests | 4.7%168 tests | 2.1×all: 2.2% |
| 12 | Citroen C3 Picasso1,616 failed tests | 4.7%76 tests | 2.0×all: 2.3% |
| 13 | DS 311,270 failed tests | 4.6%513 tests | 2.0×all: 2.3% |
| 14 | Peugeot 200837,596 failed tests | 4.3%1,604 tests | 1.9×all: 2.2% |
| 15 | Mazda CX-301,760 failed tests | 3.4%59 tests | 1.9×all: 1.8% |
Only models where this defect is one of their 10 most common MOT failures, with at least 50 failed tests, have a figure. So a model that isn't listed can still have it, just less often than its other faults. Vans, pick-ups and taxis are left out, as in our rankings. × is the model's share divided by the share for all vehicles of the same age.
How common it is by car age
- Under 3 years, first used 2023 to 20240.9% of failed tests, against 2.0% for all ages95 failed tests
- 3 to 5 years, first used 2020 to 20221.8% of failed tests, against 2.0% for all ages12,019 failed tests
- 6 to 9 years, first used 2016 to 20192.3% of failed tests, against 2.0% for all ages48,507 failed tests
- 10 to 14 years, first used 2011 to 20152.1% of failed tests, against 2.0% for all ages71,787 failed tests
- 15 to 19 years, first used 2006 to 20101.8% of failed tests, against 2.0% for all ages39,089 failed tests
- 20 years and over, first used 1985 to 20051.3% of failed tests, against 2.0% for all ages10,803 failed tests
All-vehicle figures cover vehicles first used from 1985 to 2024: 9,185,328 of the 9,193,164 failed initial tests in 2025.
How these figures are counted
These are failures recorded at initial MOT tests in 2025. Retests are not counted. A defect found on more than one wheel, lamp or joint at the same test counts once. "Same age" is the defect's share of failed tests for all vehicles first used in the same years, weighted by the model's own failed tests in each year.
An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. These figures show where a defect was recorded, not why, and not what a repair costs. Figures: DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2025. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. What the MOT checks: MOT inspection manual: cars and passenger vehicles, GOV.UK, read 1 Nov 2026.
How we choose and rank these defectsOther brakes faults
- Brake pads6.4% of failed tests
- Parking brake efficiency3.9% of failed tests
- Binding brake2.6% of failed tests
- Brake pipe corrosion1.9% of failed tests
Share of all failed initial MOT tests in 2025.