UK MOT pass rate trends
How the UK's MOT pass rate has changed over time — by year, by season, and by fuel type — based on 829,951,136 rated MOT tests.
79%
Latest pass rate (May 2026)
+5 pts
Since 2005
January
Toughest month (74%)
March
Easiest month (75%)
Pass rate over time
The national MOT pass rate has risen 5 points between 2005 (73%) and 2026 (78%). There's a clear seasonal pattern too: cars are most likely to fail in January (74% pass) and most likely to pass in March (75%).
Pass rate by fuel type
| Fuel type | Latest pass rate | Tests analysed |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 78% | 499,389,632 |
| Diesel | 75% | 320,080,426 |
Fuel types are taken from the DVSA record; newer powertrains have shorter histories so their samples are smaller.
Pass rate by year
| Year | Average pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 78% | 18,989,827 |
| 2025 | 78% | 45,634,734 |
| 2024 | 78% | 45,585,938 |
| 2023 | 78% | 45,209,515 |
| 2022 | 78% | 44,644,901 |
| 2021 | 77% | 43,078,227 |
| 2020 | 77% | 39,821,339 |
| 2019 | 76% | 42,471,513 |
| 2018 | 75% | 41,838,504 |
| 2017 | 74% | 40,732,231 |
| 2016 | 73% | 40,014,627 |
| 2015 | 73% | 39,796,275 |
| 2014 | 72% | 39,798,169 |
| 2013 | 71% | 39,662,686 |
| 2012 | 71% | 39,071,894 |
| 2011 | 71% | 39,006,315 |
| 2010 | 71% | 38,176,214 |
| 2009 | 71% | 37,445,601 |
| 2008 | 71% | 36,361,488 |
| 2007 | 72% | 35,157,661 |
| 2006 | 73% | 33,231,119 |
| 2005 | 73% | 4,222,358 |
Check a specific car or model
These are national averages. For a single vehicle or model: