When it comes to buying a new vehicle, part of your consideration should be the annual running costs of that car. Just like your car insurance policy and relevant tax, your MOT cost and maintenance expenses should factor into what your car budget will be each year.
Booking an MOT is a key responsibility of car ownership, so it makes sense to give it the right considerations when buying a new car. Recently, there have been concerns that even newer models of car would fail an MOT check earlier than their first at three years in. If having a car which is likely to be lower maintenance and maintain its quality is crucial for your decision-making process, here are some of the models to consider.
These top 10 vehicles are based on data from 745,000 anonymised MOT records published by the Department of Transport and compiled by WhatCar?, bringing together a list of vehicles with exemplary MOT records.
- Hyundai Ioniq (2017-now)
The top spot for MOT pass rate goes to the Hyundai Ioniq, with both the hybrid and pure-electric models factoring into the analysis. No matter which one you opt for, both have great track records when it comes to their ability to sale through an MOT.
Pass rate 96.18%
- BMW i8 (2014-2020)
As the only other vehicle which scored over 95% on average pass rate, the BMW i8 is another exemplary car when it comes to staying in top condition. With an average fuel consumption of 128.4mpg, it goes to show aesthetic and practicality can go hand-in-hand.
Pass rate 95.97%
- Porsche Boxster (2012-2016)
Taking the third spot in this test is the third-generation Boxster – which seems quite apt. It’s also the first of four Porsches which made the cut within the top 10, leading out of all manufacturers within the study.
Pass rate 94.10%
- Lexus NX (2014-now)
The reputation that Lexus holds within the automotive industry speaks for itself, coming out on top in discussions around customer satisfaction and reliability. The petrol-only version of the NX SUV came to an end in 2016, so most of the models within this data were the hybrid NX300h.
Pass rate 93.82%
- Porsche 911 (2012-2019)
Bringing in a top five finish is the Porsche 911, an iconic vehicle from the German manufacturer. Not only does it have outstanding performance, but it also holds up when it comes to its annual MOT regardless of body style or engine size.
Pass rate 93.72%
- Porsche Cayman (2013-2016)
As well as being a popular and capable sports car in its own right, you’ll also find that the Porsche Cayman has a great record when it comes MOT time. The Caymans which failed to make the grade had done considerably more mileage than average, showing how hardy they are.
Pass rate 92.94%
- Porsche Macan (2014-now)
Another Porsche for the top 10 line up, this time with a compact SUV. Packaging all the premium Porsche prestige into a superb SUV on the smaller side, the Macan scores well on average with the petrol version specifically achieving a 93.72% pass rate.
Pass rate 92.91%
- Mazda MX-5 (2016-now)
The Mazda MX-5 holds a solid pass rate above the 90% mark, with the more recent models performing better than some of the older ones. Although the records for this car showed a lower test milage than you’d expect, potentially due to being used on weekends or purely for leisure, the MX-5 should still be considered a strong contender.
Pass rate 92.62%
- Lexus RX (2016-now)
This luxury SUV brings together the dynamic performance of its 3.5L V6 petrol engine with a gorgeous interior – and a great MOT pass rate. Earlier models registered prior to April 1st 2017 are also cheaper to tax, which is an added bonus for running costs.
Pass rate 91.95%
- Mazda CX-3 (2015-now)
Mazda’s smart, savvy, compact SUV sports a superb MOT pass rate sending it straight to tenth place as the final entry on the list. The 2L petrol version of this car held a slightly better pass rate than its 1.8L diesel counterpart, which could help when choosing between the two.
Pass rate 91.91%
Each of these vehicles would be an excellent choice, so it’s well worth considering the overall maintenance record for the model of car you’ll potentially buy next. A better record will likely mean a more straightforward and potentially cheaper MOT in the future.