HiQ Study Finds One In Five Newer Cars Fail MOT First Time

A six-week study by HiQ Tyres & Autocare suggests nearly one in five vehicles aged five years or younger failed their MOT at the first attempt. The snapshot, drawn from a representative sample of MOT tests across HiQ locations nationwide, challenges the idea that newer cars are inherently more roadworthy. HiQ says many failures were avoidable with routine checks, highlighting tyres, lamps and wipers as recurring issues.

What the HiQ study found

• First-time MOT failure rate for cars ≤5 years old: ~20% (HiQ sample).
• Older vehicles showed higher failure rates overall:
  • 6–10 years: 31%
  • 11–15 years: 50%
  • 16–20 years: 53%
• Notably, vehicles aged 21–24 years achieved a 53% first-time pass rate, outperforming some younger categories in the sample.
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“At HiQ, we want to keep motorists safe driving on the road. Our findings suggest a worrying level of complacency when it comes to the maintenance of newer vehicles, with many drivers mistakenly assuming that age alone guarantees roadworthiness. Sadly, that is not always the case. An MOT failure often points to there being critical safety issues with vehicles and can result in costly repairs and the need for a re-test.” - Craig Sprigmore, Retail Director UK & Ireland, HiQ Tyres & Autocare.

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Why this matters for MOT failure rates

The results indicate behaviour, not age alone, is driving a chunk of first-time MOT failures. Routine checks on tyre tread/pressure, lights and wipers regularly prevent avoidable fails. UK-wide datasets from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency also show these items are persistent contributors to failure, reinforcing the message that simple maintenance reduces risk.

Context from across the industry

• Tyre-related MOT issues remain in focus. Recent analysis covered by Tyre News shows rising tyre-related failures and the effect of ignored advisories on MOT outcomes. See our coverage: TyreSafe partners to tackle tyre-related MOT failures and Tyre tread depth non-compliance.
• HiQ continues to expand UK service capacity, with new centres supporting MOT testing and maintenance demand, see our report on the new Thatcham Tyre & Autocare centre.

Practical steps to cut MOT failure rates

• Check tyre tread depth and pressures monthly; rotate if required.
• Test all exterior lamps; replace failed bulbs promptly.
• Inspect wiper blades and washer fluid; ensure clear screen sweep.
• Act on MOT advisories well before the next test.
• Keep service schedules up to date.

“In reality, many of the most common reasons for MOT failure, such as worn tyres, faulty lamps or problems with wipers and washers, can be avoided entirely with routine maintenance checks.” — Craig Sprigmore, HiQ Tyres & Autocare.

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The figures cited are from a HiQ six-week sample across its locations and are not a national DVSA pass-rate average.

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Tagged with: MOT failure rates, MOT pass rates, tyre safety, tyre tread depth, vehicle maintenance, wiper faults, headlamp checks, HiQ Tyres & Autocare, DVSA data, UK road safety

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