Some interesting data here from Motorpoint;
New DVSA figures reveal the most common reasons vehicles fail their MOT. Motorpoint shares a three-step process drivers can use to work out whether it’s worth spending more on their current car or selling it.
More than one in four (27%) vehicles tested failed their MOT between April and June 2026, according to the latest DVSA figures.
Lamps and electrical equipment, suspension and tyres were among the most common areas resulting in failures, meaning an MOT can quickly turn into an unexpected repair bill for drivers.
But when another garage bill lands, how do you know whether it’s worth paying to keep your current car on the road, or if it’s time to start thinking about selling it?
Leading used car retailer Motorpoint is urging drivers to look at what they’ve spent, what could need attention next and what their car is currently worth before automatically committing to another year of repairs and maintenance.
The 5 most common areas resulting in MOT failures
Between April and June 2026, more than 7.8 million MOT tests were recorded in the latest DVSA figures, with more than one in four (26.75%) failing.
The data reveals some of the most common areas where defects resulted in an MOT failure:
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Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment: defects failed 10% of tests.
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Suspension: 8%
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Tyres: 7%
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Brakes: 6%
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Visibility: 4%
Tim Rodie, car expert at Motorpoint, explains how drivers can use their MOT and repair history to work out whether another year with their current car is worth the cost, or if it’s time to sell or part-exchange.
Should you keep repairing or sell? Try this 3-step test
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Add up what you’ve spent on unexpected repairs
Tim says: “Start by looking backwards and work out what your car has actually cost you over the last 12 months.
“Don’t include the routine costs you’d expect with any car, such as your annual MOT or regular servicing. Instead, look at the unexpected garage bills you’ve had on top.
“Smaller repairs can be particularly easy to overlook. Three £250 garage bills spread across a year might not feel as significant as being handed one £750 bill, but you’ve spent exactly the same amount.
“Look at frequency too. If your car previously only went to the garage for routine maintenance but you’ve needed two or three unplanned visits this year, factor that in.
“Write down your total unexpected repair spend for the last 12 months. That’s your first figure.”
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Estimate what you may need to spend over the next year
Tim says: “Next, look forward. Your MOT history is a good place to start because it can reveal clues about upcoming costs.
“Don’t only check whether your car passed its last MOT. Look at the advisories and compare them with the previous two or three tests.
“An advisory doesn’t mean your car has failed, or that work needs doing immediately. But if the same issue keeps appearing, or your list of advisories is growing, it’s worth finding out what those items could cost when they do need attention.
“The latest DVSA figures show lamps and electrical equipment, suspension, tyres and brakes are among the most common areas resulting in MOT failures. If you’ve already got advisories relating to those areas, factor them into what another year with the car could cost.
“If you’re unsure what an advisory could cost to fix, ask a trusted garage for an estimate. The wording on an MOT won’t always tell you exactly what work will eventually be needed, so avoid relying on a generic repair price. Naturally, the cost can vary depending on the specific problem, your make and model, the parts required and labour.
“Then add any maintenance you already know is approaching, such as your next service or tyres that are nearing replacement.
“You won’t be able to predict every repair, but you should now have a rough estimate of the costs you can reasonably see coming. That’s your second figure.”
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Compare those costs with what your car is worth today
Tim says: “Finally, put those figures into context by finding out what your car is worth today.
“Look at what you’ve already spent on unexpected repairs alongside the costs you can reasonably see coming. If you’ve spent £750 on unexpected repairs over the last year and could have another £750 of maintenance approaching, that’s potentially £1,500 going into the car across that period.
“Spending £1,500 on a £15,000 car is a very different financial decision to spending the same amount on a car worth £3,000. How long you were planning to keep the car matters too. Spending that money on a car you want to keep for several more years is different to doing so when you were already thinking about selling in the next six months.
“There’s no universal percentage where I’d tell every driver their car is no longer worth keeping. Every car is different, and you should never delay work needed to keep yours safe and roadworthy.
“But if you were already considering changing your car, you’ve been spending more on unexpected repairs, and you can see another round of costs approaching, I’d find out its current value before committing that money.
“You may decide you’d rather sell or part-exchange while the car is still in good condition and use its value towards your next car, rather than spend more on one you already know you don’t plan to keep long term.”
Drivers considering selling or part-exchanging their current car can use Motorpoint’s free, no-obligation online valuation to find out how much their car could be worth: https://www.motorpoint.co.uk/sell-my-car.
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