The car models most likely to fail new MOT tests – but is your motor on the list?
THE cars most likely to fail their MOT under new regulations have been revealed.
Tougher rules for roadworthiness checks come into force on Sunday, and with a bigger focus on emissions, these are the motors that will be most affected.
A recent investigation, conducted by , uncovered the car models with the worst history of MOT fails or advisory's based on their emissions levels.
The top five models with the highest emissions failure rates are even more likely to struggle under new regulations.
And it's bad news for owners of a Peugeot 208, with both the petrol and diesel versions of the hatchback found to be most likely to fail.
But only models from 2012-2015 produced a high potential failure rate, with newer editions of the French motor likely to be cleared.
Gathering data on all cars released from 2008, research found that the 2012-2015 Vauxhall Mokka would also have a high risk of failing, closely followed by the Chrysler Ypsilon.
And despite being one of the smallest cars on the road, the Smart FourTwo Coupe is also likely to be hit hard by the rule changes, for all models from 2008-2015.
MOT changes are set to make it harder for diesel models to pass, but according to the research, petrol vehicles are just as likely to be affected.
Four out of the top five cars most likely to fail were petrol - and a diesel motor was actually found to be the most likely to pass.
BMW 1 Series hatchbacks made between 2008-2015 were most likely to sail through tough service checks with ease.
When the MOT changes on May 20, mechanics will be given stricter guidelines on the level of toxic gases each type of car can produce.
An estimated 100,000 cars already fail the MOT on emissions, and that figure is expected to soar after this weekend.
Diesel particulate filters (DPF) will also now be checked as part of the test.
A large number of drivers have their DPFs removed rather than deal with them regularly becoming clogged - but having it removed or tampered with will now result in an instant fail.
The smoke test limit will also be slashed, with dirty diesels being handed a "major" fail they don't meet standards.
Tom Wood, CEO of Cazana, commented: “Cazana’s insights are more important than ever in light of the coming MOT overhaul on May the 20th.
"As MOT regulations become even stricter, we need to be careful about the car choices we’re making so we don’t drive models that are likely to let us down.
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"These changes will mean we have to take our cars’ emissions results even more seriously.
"It’s good to see the Government taking this proactive approach to climate change with the changes to the MOT test.
"We’re also pleased to see that as part of these changes on May 20th they are removing the MOT requirement for some classic vehicles which will have a positive effect on keeping our automotive heritage on the road.”