MOT guides

Does mileage affect MOT failure?

Higher-mileage cars fail MOTs more often, but the relationship is not as steep as many buyers assume. Here is the data.

MOT failure rate by mileage band

Recorded mileage	MOT failure rate
0-50k	10.8%
50-100k	20.7%
100-150k	26.2%
150-200k	27.3%
200k+	26.6%

Based on 42,216,721 UK MOT tests (calendar year 2023). Failure risk roughly doubles from the lowest to the highest mileage bands — meaningful, but age and maintenance history matter just as much.

Mileage and clocking

Because mileage affects value and perceived condition, odometer tampering ("clocking") is a real risk on the used market. Our per-vehicle check plots the recorded mileage at every MOT so you can spot a reading that drops or jumps implausibly. See mileage discrepancies explained.

Check any UK reg free for its full MOT history plus a statistical next-MOT failure-risk estimate.

Frequently asked questions

Is high mileage bad for an MOT?

Higher-mileage cars do fail more often — from about 10.8% at low mileage to roughly 27.3% at high mileage — but a well-maintained high-miler can easily out-perform a neglected low-miler.

How can I check a car's mileage history?

Every MOT records the odometer reading. Our free reg check plots that history so you can see whether the mileage progression is consistent.