First Time MOT Heroes

Posh SUVs are the least likely to fail their first MOT

First time MOT Heroes

Posh SUVs are the least likely to fail their first MOT

I don’t know if you like real stats as much as I do, but here are some real world that are gathered together by Data News. I always enjoy these because they are likely to throw up the expected and sometimes quite unexpected results. I get to see them early and provide comment, but in case you missed the national newspaper appearance here is the information that will help make you appear rather well informed.

The bottom line is that Japanese cars have come top in a table of vehicles which are least likely to fail their first MoT test. Lexus, Honda, Mazda and Suzuki all take places in the top ten cars least likely to fail their first MOT

The car with the best record for passing the test first time was the £35,000 Lexus UX with just 5.34percent failing their first MOT.

The Japanese SUV came second in the table in 2022 and 2023 but for first MOTs taken in 2024 it has now muscled its way into the top position.

A total of 4,305 Lexus UXs were taken to an MOT station for the first time last year and just 243 failed the test. Yes with regard to the MOT the Lexus UX has a buying demographic that is mainly private, older, wealthy often semi or prematurely retired and with the attention to detail that meant they made a few bob and can afford a top of the range SUV but also know the value of keeping it well maintained. Let’s go and see what’s available, they won’t be cheap, but then they are unlikely to breakdown which is always a bonus.Let’s find one in need of an MOT.

2020 Lexus UX 250h 2.0 UX (Premium Pack with Navigation). I don’t like the Hybrid element, but this is a posh Toyota being sold by Car Planet in Watford at £14,220. They don’t seem to have a great rating and the model has done 21,000 miles. I tell you what though, compared to the later 300 all electric these are premium priced, as if the market knows something. Slog rates this as a solid three which will do a decent turn.

Next up is the Porsche Macan which is a sexy old thing despite being an SUV, it is properly sexy and sporty. Here’s a 2022 Porsche Macan 2.0T at Saxton 4 x 4, an Essex dealer that has been around for Yonks. (that picture looks like a library one to me) It’s done 36K miles and runs on 20 inch alloys has a panoramic roof, heated from seats and a comfort lighting package. There is probably a lot more, but essentially it is £46K. Slog loves a Porsche and this only just needs an MOT this year, let’s go with a four Slog rating. It will be fun.

One of the best performing cars is the Honda Jazz which has been in the ten least likely to fail their MOT in each of the last ten years, being the best car in six of those years and never falling below 6^th place. Always reassuring to see the perennial Honda jazz as the standout mot performer simply because the owners are older and wiser than the rest of us, knowing that looking after their cars is actually the cheapest and most sensible approach to everyday motoring. Here’s a model for your mum and dad, not to enjoy, but it will always manage to do the cat food run without incident, possibly forever. This 2022 Honda JAZZ 5dr Hat 1.5 I-mmd Hbd Ex Ecvt is at the main Honda Dealer in Bury St Edmunds (I didn’t know he was dead). It’s got loads of spec of course, pointless on a little shopper really, but there’s cruise and a CVT gearbox for an easy life and the blindspot system to keep us all safe. It’s done 26K miles and Slog reckons he will be comfy and unstressed, so 5 Slogs. Oh yes it costs £16,690.

Here are the full details for the best performers which might help you make a used car buying decision very soon. Next weel there will the bottom 10, so most if the same writing but different motors. Care to guess the worst performers?

TOP TEN CARS – (where more than 2,000 were tested)

Make and Model Tests Fails %Fails

1. Lexus UX 4,305 243 5.34

2. Porsche Macan 3,447 227 6.18

3. Honda Jazz 13,180 873 6.21

4. Lexus NX 4,322 289 6.27

5. Audi Q2 12,279 888 6.74

6. Toyota Yaris 21,435 1,577 6.85

7. Suzuki Swift 3,868 288 6.93

8. Mazda CX-30 1,857 145 7.24

9. Audi Q3 2,172 170 7.26

10. Jaguar i-Pace 3,913 310 7.34

Popular makes of cars that do not appear in the top or bottom 10 include the Ford Focus (12.12% failed), Nissan Qashqai (11.41%), Volkswagen Polo (11.76%), Mini Cooper (11.39%), BMW 118 (10.1%), Toyota Aygo (8.28%) and the Mercedes Benz A-class (9.49%).

The test does not have to be taken until a car is three years old, so the current data relates to vehicles that were first registered in 2021 and had their first MoT test in 2024.

The figures cannot take account of how well their owners looked after their vehicles in the three years coming up to the test or how many miles they had been driven. They 4x4s and vehicles frequently used as delivery vans.

Many of the cars may have failed on simple things the owner could have put right themselves like dangerously bald tyres or lights bulbs that needed changing.

See you next time.

Please note that all images are copyright of the selling garage, no recommendation is made for any vehicle featured and ideally it is best to go and check for yourself.

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