A new study has revealed that more than half of electric vehicles that failed their MOT in 2024, did so because of their tyres
A study by Select Car Leasing has shown that 51% of vehicles, equating to 34,179 of the total 68,772 EV MOT tests conducted during 2024, failed due to tyre-related issues. With the additional weight of their battery packs, EVs are often heavier than their petrol or diesel counterparts.
This means that the extra weight, together with the instant torque delivery of EVs, can place additional burdens on their tyres. When it comes to EV MOT data, tyres were followed by ‘lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment’, with 21% of failures.
The data comes via a Freedom of Information request to the DVSA.
EV MOT checks important
EVs also accounted for the greatest number of tyre-related MOT failures generally, ahead of hybrids at 35% of failures, diesels at 23% of failures, and petrol vehicles, at 22% of MOT failures.
“EVs come with enormous benefits, not least to the environment, and also enjoy improved performance over the vast majority of petrol and diesel cars,” commented Graham Conway, Managing Director at Select Car Leasing. “All motorists, no matter what sort of car they drive, need to keep a close eye on the state of their tyres in order to stay safe. The data on EV MOT tests we have uncovered shows that to be particularly true of electric vehicle drivers.”
Tyre manufacturers have developed specific rubber for electric vehicles to aid longevity and efficiency. There is, however, no legal requirement to fit EV-specific tyres to an electric vehicle. Non-EV specific tyres fitted to an electric vehicle will wear quicker, leading to the increased potential for an EV MOT failure.
The number of EV MOT failures test due to tyres has also risen 11 percentage points since 2022, going from 40% in 2022, to 51% in 2024.
Top reasons for MOT failures
According to the date received by Select Car Leasing, lighting and electrical issues were the top reasons for MOT failures in 2024 when it came to petrol and diesel vehicles, with 39% and 40% of vehicles failing respectively.
Top five reasons for MOT failures in 2024
| Diesel | Petrol | EV | Hybrid | ||||
| Lighting & Electrical | 39% | Lighting & Electrical | 40% | Tyres | 51% | Tyres | 35% |
| Suspension | 33% | Suspension | 30% | Lighting & Electrical | 21% | Lighting & Electrical | 33% |
| Brakes | 26% | Brakes | 23% | Visibility | 17% | Visibility | 22% |
| Tyres | 23% | Tyres | 22% | Suspension | 15% | Brakes | 14% |
| Visibility | 15% | Visibility | 17% | Brakes | 10% | Suspension | 13% |
For petrol and diesel cars, ‘Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment’ issues are the primary cause of an MOT failure. That category covers a number of different scenarios, from headlamp deflects and leaky batteries, to the rear registration plate not being properly illuminated.
Suspension issues plague petrol and diesel cars, too, causing between 30-33% of MOT failures, with pothole complaints on the rise in the UK.
Braking system faults remain widespread, particularly in diesel vehicles, where failure rates are the highest at 26%. Worn brake pads, faulty discs, and hydraulic system failures are key contributors to brake-related MOT failures.
Visibility problems, such as windscreen wiper defects and inadequate washer fluid levels, remain a frequent cause of failure, affecting between 15-22% of all vehicles.
Clear warning
“For petrol and diesel owners, the data serves as a clear warning about suspension, braking, and lighting system maintenance,” Conway added. “These components must be checked regularly to ensure roadworthiness. Simple checks such as testing all lights, listening for noises or vibrations under braking, and ensuring windscreen wipers are functioning properly, can make a significant difference in avoiding an MOT failure.”
Further analysis of the Freedom of Information data reveals diesel vehicle failure rates rose from 29.7% in 2022 to 30.5% in 2024. Hybrid and EV MOT data shows these vehicles are proving to be the most reliable, with failure rates improving from around 16-17% in 2022 to 15% in 2024. However, these vehicles are likely to have a lower average age in the UK car parc, making their pass-rate likelihood higher.
