Petrol vs diesel: MOT pass rates compared
Real data from 49,321,983 MOT tests in 2024. This compares testable defect rates — what the MOT actually checks — not overall running costs or reliability.
Overall pass rates by fuel type
Petrol
82.2%
25,547,963 tests
Diesel
81.0%
23,774,020 tests
Hybrid
91.4%
1,063,235 tests
Electric
89.0%
402,338 tests
Key findings
Across all models, petrol cars pass at 82.2% vs diesel at 81.0% — a 1.2 percentage point gap.
Diesel cars are more likely to fail on emissions (the DPF/catalytic converter degrades with age and short journeys) and suspension (diesel variants are heavier). Petrol cars more commonly fail on exhaust emissions in older models, but generally have simpler emission systems.
Hybrids lead at 91.4% — partly because the fleet is newer, and partly because regenerative braking reduces wear on brake components. Electric vehicles score 89.0% with far fewer mechanical components to test.
Petrol vs diesel by model
Models where both petrol and diesel variants have 5,000+ tests. Sorted by biggest petrol advantage.
| Model | Petrol | Diesel | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vauxhall Combo | 86.2% | 74.5% | +11.7 |
| Nissan Pulsar | 83.9% | 75.5% | +8.4 |
| Dacia Duster | 88.3% | 80.2% | +8.1 |
| Kia Venga | 84.3% | 76.2% | +8.1 |
| Peugeot 5008 | 86.4% | 78.7% | +7.7 |
| Dacia Sandero | 82.4% | 74.8% | +7.6 |
| Hyundai Ix20 | 82.7% | 75.2% | +7.5 |
| Citroen C5 | 89.4% | 82% | +7.4 |
| Volkswagen Touran | 85.6% | 78.2% | +7.4 |
| Peugeot 3008 | 86.7% | 79.4% | +7.3 |
| Bmw 118 | 89.9% | 82.7% | +7.2 |
| Skoda Roomster | 80% | 73% | +7.0 |
| Bmw 1 Series | 90.7% | 83.8% | +6.9 |
| Mazda Bongo | 73.4% | 66.5% | +6.9 |
| Mazda 2 | 79.5% | 72.8% | +6.7 |
| Skoda Fabia | 82% | 75.4% | +6.6 |
| Kia Rio | 80.8% | 74.5% | +6.3 |
| Volvo V60 | 89.4% | 83.3% | +6.1 |
| Nissan Qashqai | 82.9% | 76.9% | +6.0 |
| Audi A1 | 86.7% | 80.7% | +6.0 |
| Peugeot Partner | 83.9% | 77.9% | +6.0 |
| Volkswagen Polo | 79.2% | 73.3% | +5.9 |
| Ds Ds3 | 83.4% | 77.6% | +5.8 |
| Ford Fiesta | 79.6% | 73.8% | +5.8 |
| Bmw X1 | 92.9% | 87.2% | +5.7 |
| Nissan Juke | 80.9% | 75.3% | +5.6 |
| Hyundai I20 | 82.7% | 77.1% | +5.6 |
| Ford B-Max | 82.9% | 77.4% | +5.5 |
| Audi A3 | 86.8% | 81.5% | +5.3 |
| Fiat 500 | 79.2% | 74% | +5.2 |
| Volvo Xc60 | 90.6% | 85.4% | +5.2 |
| Seat Ibiza | 79.9% | 74.9% | +5.0 |
| Citroen C3 | 79.2% | 74.2% | +5.0 |
| Mazda Cx-5 | 90.1% | 85.1% | +5.0 |
| Suzuki Vitara | 90.5% | 85.5% | +5.0 |
| Fiat 500X | 85.7% | 80.7% | +5.0 |
| Renault Captur | 86.4% | 81.5% | +4.9 |
| Toyota Yaris | 81.4% | 76.7% | +4.7 |
| Volkswagen Sharan | 88.1% | 83.4% | +4.7 |
| Audi Q3 | 90.7% | 86.1% | +4.6 |
| Vauxhall Mokka | 82.5% | 78% | +4.5 |
| Renault Kadjar | 88.1% | 83.6% | +4.5 |
| Alfa Romeo Giulietta | 81.7% | 77.2% | +4.5 |
| Suzuki Sx4 | 81.7% | 77.3% | +4.4 |
| Ford Ecosport | 88.3% | 83.9% | +4.4 |
| Skoda Yeti | 86.8% | 82.5% | +4.3 |
| Kia Sportage | 86.7% | 82.5% | +4.2 |
| Hyundai I30 | 79.7% | 75.5% | +4.2 |
| Toyota Verso | 85% | 80.8% | +4.2 |
| Peugeot 2008 | 83.6% | 79.4% | +4.2 |
| Skoda Superb | 88.1% | 83.9% | +4.2 |
| Audi A4 | 85.7% | 81.6% | +4.1 |
| Jeep Renegade | 85.7% | 81.6% | +4.1 |
| Citroen C4 Cactus | 84.6% | 80.5% | +4.1 |
| Skoda Octavia | 86% | 82% | +4.0 |
| Volkswagen Tiguan | 90.5% | 86.6% | +3.9 |
| Mercedes-Benz Clk | 78% | 74.1% | +3.9 |
| Land Rover Range Rover Sport | 92.7% | 88.9% | +3.8 |
| Nissan X-Trail | 83.6% | 79.8% | +3.8 |
| Audi A5 | 89% | 85.3% | +3.7 |
| Skoda Rapid | 83.9% | 80.2% | +3.7 |
| Seat Leon | 86.3% | 82.7% | +3.6 |
| Bmw 5 Series | 92% | 88.4% | +3.6 |
| Seat Arona | 89.8% | 86.2% | +3.6 |
| Jaguar Xf | 88.1% | 84.6% | +3.5 |
| Volvo Xc90 | 84.5% | 81% | +3.5 |
| Suzuki Grand Vitara | 76.3% | 72.8% | +3.5 |
| Peugeot 208 | 81.5% | 78.1% | +3.4 |
| Bmw X3 | 90.1% | 86.8% | +3.3 |
| Ford Kuga | 89% | 85.8% | +3.2 |
| Ford Transit Courier | 86.3% | 83.1% | +3.2 |
| Jeep Compass | 87.6% | 84.4% | +3.2 |
| Mini Cooper | 90.9% | 87.8% | +3.1 |
| Porsche Macan | 95.9% | 92.8% | +3.1 |
| Mercedes-Benz Clc | 75.2% | 72.1% | +3.1 |
| Fiat Panda | 76.2% | 73.2% | +3.0 |
| Mercedes-Benz Cla | 89.6% | 86.6% | +3.0 |
| Dacia Logan | 83.6% | 80.6% | +3.0 |
| Volkswagen Golf | 84.4% | 81.5% | +2.9 |
| Ford Fusion | 75.9% | 73% | +2.9 |
| Fiat Doblo | 78.8% | 75.9% | +2.9 |
| Porsche Panamera | 94.3% | 91.4% | +2.9 |
| Audi A6 | 89.5% | 86.7% | +2.8 |
| Mini Countryman | 92.3% | 89.6% | +2.7 |
| Rover 75 | 73.5% | 70.8% | +2.7 |
| Volkswagen Passat | 82.9% | 80.3% | +2.6 |
| Vauxhall Crossland | 88.4% | 85.8% | +2.6 |
| Jaguar Xe | 90.6% | 88% | +2.6 |
| Kia Ceed | 80.2% | 77.7% | +2.5 |
| Volvo V40 | 83.5% | 81% | +2.5 |
| Mercedes-Benz Slc | 91.7% | 89.2% | +2.5 |
| Nissan Note | 78.2% | 75.8% | +2.4 |
| Ford S-Max | 79.9% | 77.5% | +2.4 |
| Mitsubishi Asx | 84.6% | 82.2% | +2.4 |
| Mazda Cx-3 | 90.3% | 87.9% | +2.4 |
| Hyundai Tucson | 88.4% | 86.1% | +2.3 |
| Peugeot 308 | 78.6% | 76.3% | +2.3 |
| Vauxhall Corsa | 77.4% | 75.2% | +2.2 |
| Citroen Ds3 | 74.2% | 72% | +2.2 |
| Honda Hr-V | 92.3% | 90.1% | +2.2 |
| Peugeot Rcz | 81.2% | 79% | +2.2 |
| Audi Q5 | 91.2% | 89.1% | +2.1 |
| Bmw 220 | 89.9% | 87.8% | +2.1 |
| Subaru Forester | 80.4% | 78.3% | +2.1 |
| Ford Focus C-Max | 70.4% | 68.3% | +2.1 |
| Land Rover Range Rover Evoque | 91.3% | 89.2% | +2.1 |
| Mercedes-Benz Gla | 90.6% | 88.5% | +2.1 |
| Ford Grand C-Max | 81.3% | 79.2% | +2.1 |
| Kia Soul | 81.3% | 79.2% | +2.1 |
| Fiat 500L | 79.1% | 77% | +2.1 |
| Nissan Micra | 77.8% | 75.8% | +2.0 |
| Vauxhall Insignia | 81.7% | 79.7% | +2.0 |
| Jaguar F-Pace | 93% | 91% | +2.0 |
| Mini Paceman | 90.8% | 88.8% | +2.0 |
| Citroen C4 | 76.4% | 74.5% | +1.9 |
| Bmw 120 | 84.4% | 82.5% | +1.9 |
| Peugeot 307 | 69% | 67.1% | +1.9 |
| Jaguar E-Pace | 93.7% | 91.8% | +1.9 |
| Bmw 2 Series | 92.4% | 90.5% | +1.9 |
| Toyota Auris | 81.8% | 79.9% | +1.9 |
| Renault Modus | 69.8% | 67.9% | +1.9 |
| Volkswagen Scirocco | 82.9% | 81.1% | +1.8 |
| Mazda 3 | 79.8% | 78% | +1.8 |
| Mercedes-Benz Glc | 92.9% | 91.2% | +1.7 |
| Vauxhall Grandland | 89.7% | 88% | +1.7 |
| Peugeot 206 | 70.2% | 68.6% | +1.6 |
| Renault Kangoo | 73% | 71.4% | +1.6 |
| Saab 9-3 | 77% | 75.4% | +1.6 |
| Mercedes-Benz E | 86.5% | 85% | +1.5 |
| Peugeot 207 | 71.3% | 69.8% | +1.5 |
| Mini Cooper S | 91.4% | 90% | +1.4 |
| Bmw 218 | 89.9% | 88.5% | +1.4 |
| Bmw 320 | 91.7% | 90.3% | +1.4 |
| Mercedes-Benz C | 85% | 83.7% | +1.3 |
| Bmw 420 | 90.5% | 89.2% | +1.3 |
| Mercedes-Benz A | 92.8% | 91.7% | +1.1 |
| Mercedes-Benz Cls | 85.1% | 84% | +1.1 |
| Renault Clio | 73.4% | 72.4% | +1.0 |
| Toyota Corolla | 76.5% | 75.6% | +0.9 |
| Mini One | 87.9% | 87.1% | +0.8 |
| Bmw 430 | 90.9% | 90.1% | +0.8 |
| Land Rover Discovery Sport | 90.1% | 89.3% | +0.8 |
| Hyundai Ix35 | 78.2% | 77.4% | +0.8 |
| Land Rover Range Rover Velar | 92.1% | 91.3% | +0.8 |
| Seat Ateca | 92% | 91.2% | +0.8 |
| Jaguar X-Type | 72.8% | 72% | +0.8 |
| Land Rover Defender | 79.5% | 78.8% | +0.7 |
| Citroen Xsara | 68.7% | 68% | +0.7 |
| Volkswagen Arteon | 91.7% | 91% | +0.7 |
| Volvo V50 | 72.6% | 71.9% | +0.7 |
| Audi Q2 | 93.9% | 93.3% | +0.6 |
| Volvo Xc40 | 92.7% | 92.1% | +0.6 |
| Volkswagen T-Roc | 93.7% | 93.1% | +0.6 |
| Ford Focus | 80.5% | 79.9% | +0.6 |
| Mini Clubman | 88.6% | 88% | +0.6 |
| Volvo S40 | 73.3% | 72.7% | +0.6 |
| Vauxhall Meriva | 76% | 75.5% | +0.5 |
| Volvo C30 | 75.5% | 75% | +0.5 |
| Volkswagen Eos | 78.2% | 77.7% | +0.5 |
| Skoda Kodiaq | 92% | 91.6% | +0.4 |
| Porsche Cayenne | 91.7% | 91.4% | +0.3 |
| Skoda Karoq | 92.8% | 92.5% | +0.3 |
| Renault Grand Scenic | 71.6% | 71.3% | +0.3 |
| Renault Megane | 72.6% | 72.4% | +0.2 |
| Mercedes-Benz A-Class | 84.9% | 84.8% | +0.1 |
| Volvo C70 | 75.6% | 75.5% | +0.1 |
| Honda Accord | 75.9% | 75.9% | 0.0 |
| Vauxhall Astra | 77.9% | 78% | -0.1 |
| Honda Cr-V | 82.8% | 83% | -0.2 |
| Vauxhall Zafira | 75.9% | 76.2% | -0.3 |
| Land Rover Discovery | 83.4% | 83.7% | -0.3 |
| Volvo S60 | 80.6% | 80.9% | -0.3 |
| Citroen Berlingo | 75.9% | 76.4% | -0.5 |
| Mini Mini (R60) | 84.4% | 85.1% | -0.7 |
| Mercedes-Benz S-Class | 89.3% | 90% | -0.7 |
| Vauxhall Vectra | 71.3% | 72% | -0.7 |
| Ford C-Max | 79.3% | 80.1% | -0.8 |
| Mazda 6 | 79.2% | 80.1% | -0.9 |
| Jaguar S-Type | 74.4% | 75.3% | -0.9 |
| Toyota Avensis | 78.3% | 79.2% | -0.9 |
| Honda Civic | 79.8% | 80.8% | -1.0 |
| Mercedes-Benz B-Class | 80.1% | 81.2% | -1.1 |
| Toyota Rav-4 | 77.1% | 78.2% | -1.1 |
| Audi Tt | 85.7% | 87.1% | -1.4 |
| Bmw 318 | 87.7% | 89.1% | -1.4 |
| Bmw 3 Series | 82.6% | 84% | -1.4 |
| Seat Tarraco | 88.8% | 90.2% | -1.4 |
| Kia Carens | 75.2% | 77.2% | -2.0 |
| Renault Scenic | 70.8% | 73.2% | -2.4 |
| Bmw 116 | 82.4% | 85% | -2.6 |
| Bmw 525 | 80.4% | 83% | -2.6 |
| Bmw 530 | 82.7% | 85.4% | -2.7 |
| Mercedes-Benz Ml | 81.2% | 84% | -2.8 |
| Land Rover Range Rover | 85% | 88% | -3.0 |
| Ford Mondeo | 75.9% | 79% | -3.1 |
| Bmw X5 | 85% | 88.3% | -3.3 |
| Ford Galaxy | 73.8% | 77.5% | -3.7 |
| Volkswagen Transporter | 74.4% | 78.2% | -3.8 |
| Volkswagen Beetle | 72.7% | 76.6% | -3.9 |
| Mercedes-Benz Slk | 81.5% | 85.5% | -4.0 |
| Mini Mini | 76.6% | 80.9% | -4.3 |
| Volvo V70 | 74.3% | 78.9% | -4.6 |
| Volkswagen Caravelle | 72.1% | 76.7% | -4.6 |
| Land Rover Freelander | 73.3% | 78.7% | -5.4 |
| Toyota Rav4 | 78.1% | 83.9% | -5.8 |
| Jaguar Xj | 81.3% | 87.6% | -6.3 |
| Bmw 520 | 78.6% | 85.7% | -7.1 |
| Bmw 316 | 78.5% | 85.7% | -7.2 |
Important: MOT pass rate is not the same as reliability or running costs. Diesel cars may have higher servicing costs regardless of MOT results, and petrol cars may use more fuel on motorways. This data shows one dimension — testable defect rates — from 49,321,983 real inspections. See our methodology for more.