The most common MOT faults for the UK’s most popular van models have been revealed by MoneySuperMarket’s new Van MOT Fail Checker. The analysis of DVSA data suggests that the most common MOT faults for vans include worn-out handbrakes and broken registration plate lamps, while the vans most likely to pass include the Volkswagen Amarok and Mitsubishi L200.
Researchers at MoneySuperMarket filtered down over 815 million MOT results to create the Van MOT Fail Checker tool, showing the most common faults for over 70 different van models. Alongside the Van MOT Fail Checker tool MoneySuperMarket also released a new MOT Fail Report revealing which van models have, on average, the best and worst MOT pass rates.
The new research shows the top reasons UK vans fail their MOT- the handbrake isn’t strong enough to safely hold the vehicle securely; the registration plate lamps aren’t functioning correctly; or the windscreen wipers aren’t effectively clearing the windscreen.
Handbrake failure is a common MOT issue in many van models. Drivers often don’t notice handbrake problems, especially if they usually park on flat surfaces or leave the van in gear. Other very frequent fail reasons include the front tyre tread depth falling below requirements of 1.6mm; the windscreen washer providing insufficient washer liquid; or front position lamps not working.
| The 10 Most Frequent Van MOT Fail Reasons in the UK from 2005 | ||
| Rank | Fail Reason | Number of Fails |
| 1 | Handbrake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7) | 6,445,966 |
| 2 | Handbrake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i)) | 3,206,260 |
| 3 | Nearside Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.C.1d) | 2,704,739 |
| 4 | Offside Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.C.1d) | 2,577,212 |
| 5 | Nearside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2) | 2,468,859 |
| 6 | Offside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2) | 2,396,945 |
| 7 | Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1) | 2,373,803 |
| 8 | Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3) | 2,253,081 |
| 9 | Nearside Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b) | 2,210,491 |
| 10 | Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1) | 2,177,809 |
Alicia Hempsted, Van Insurance expert at MoneySuperMarket, says: “For tradespeople and van drivers, an MOT failure can mean more than just inconvenience – it can lead to lost earnings and even invalidate your insurance. That’s why our Van MOT Fail Checker is designed to help drivers spot common issues, like worn tyres or faulty handbrakes, before test day. By analysing over 20 years of MOT fail results, we’ve created a tool that empowers van owners to make informed choices, save money, and stay safer on the road. While we can’t guarantee a pass, taking proactive steps could help reduce the risk of unexpected costs.”
Based on van models that have had over 10,000 MOT tests since 2005, the Nissan Primastar is the model most likely to fail an MOT, with the Fiat Scudo and Vauxhall Astravan completing the top three.
| Vans With The Highest MOT Fail Rate | ||
| Rank | Car Model | Failure Rate |
| 1 | Nissan Primastar | 35.32% |
| 2 | Fiat Scudo | 34.10% |
| 3 | Vauxhall Astravan | 31.81% |
| 4 | Suzuki Carry | 31.50% |
| 5 | Citroen Nemo | 30.65% |
| 6 | Peugeot Bipper | 30.20% |
| 7 | Iveco Daily | 29.87% |
| 8 | Mercedes-Benz Citan | 28.27% |
| 9 | Nissan Nv400 | 26.77% |
| 10 | Fiat Doblo | 26.00% |
According to the DVSA MOT data, the most common reasons for a Nissan Primastar to fail its MOT include: the efficiency of the handbrake falling below the required efficiency, excessive play in the nearside track rod end ball joint, and excessive play in the nearside front track rod end ball joint. The records for this model also show that the average age for this van to fail its first MOT test is around 10 and a half years old.
The Fiat Scudo follows in second, with a 34.10% MOT failure rate, with nearside front tyre tread depth the main culprit when it comes to reasons for failure. The offside front tyre tread depth follows as the second most popular fail reason for this model, with failure of both the near and offside front position lamps also common. However, this model fares slightly better than the Nissan Primastar when it comes to age for first MOT failure, at 11 years.
Overall, both Nissan and Fiat brand vehicles rank twice in the top ten list of vans with the highest MOT fail rates in the UK, with the Nissan Nv400 and Fiat Doblo ranking in ninth and tenth respectively.
To discover the most common MOT fails for your van model, use MoneySuperMarket’s new MOT Fail Checker tool: https://www.moneysupermarket.com/van-insurance/van-mot-fail-checker-statistics-report/
