Worst first-MOT failure rate
The Mercedes EQC 400 was the worst offender, with 412 of the 2,236 cars taking their first MoT test last year given a fail - a rate of 18.43%, meaning almost one in five failed. That made the £74,000 battery-powered SUV more than eight times as likely to fail as the Toyota Prius, which had a fail rate of just 2.19%. Overall, Britain’s priciest electric and hybrid cars failed their first MoT tests at far higher rates than cheaper alternatives.
Nine of the 10 worst cars for first-time MoT failures ran on a battery, either fully electric or plug-in hybrid. Seven of them were pure electric models from Tesla, BMW and Mercedes. Tesla supplied four of the bottom 10 cars, while BMW also had four, including the £70,000 X5 and the £60,000 i4.
Why premium EVs struggled
One reason thought to explain the poor performance of premium electric cars is that owners assumed there was less to go wrong with fewer moving parts, and so skipped basic checks on tyres and lights that a petrol or diesel driver might not.
James Ruppert, editor of Free Car Mag, said: "It does seem as though the salary sacrifice brigade have also sacrificed old fashioned common sense. Just because the battery on wheels has a prestige badge doesn’t mean there is nothing to worry about. The brands are suffering from serious neglect and the high technology won’t save them.
"Meanwhile old school car drivers know that they can reliably buy Japanese and never have a second thought about breaking down. Their strong showing also reflects the buying demographic which is older and more responsible, and more used to checking tyres and lights. These are also working cars, bought to do a job, not show off, especially the Prius."
About the MoT data
The MoT test is an annual check on vehicles to ensure they are safe, roadworthy and comply with exhaust emissions tests. The test does not have to be taken until a car is three years old, so the current data related to vehicles first registered in 2022 that had their first MoT test in 2025.
The figures cannot take account of how their owners looked after their vehicles in the three years coming up to the test or how many miles they were driven. The statistics excluded 4x4s and vehicles frequently used as delivery vans.
Many of the cars may have failed on simple things the owner could have put right themselves, like dangerously bald tyres or light bulbs that needed changing. BMW declined to comment, but a spokesperson for Mercedes said: "There are many reasons why a vehicle may fail a MoT test, including normal wear and tear to consumable items such as tyre tread and brake pads. MoT outcomes can also be influenced by factors including vehicle age, mileage, maintenance history and usage.
"Mercedes-Benz is consistently recognised for the quality, safety and reliability of its vehicles. Most recently, our new all-electric CLA was crowned European Car of the Year 2026, reflecting our continued commitment to engineering excellence and customer satisfaction. We encourage customers to maintain their vehicles in accordance with the recommended service and maintenance schedules."
