2021 Cupra Ateca Vz1 4Drive — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2021 Cupra Ateca Vz1 4Drive passed 91.2% of its 354 recorded MOT tests. All cars of a similar age fail at 8.7%, so the 2021 Ateca Vz1 4Drive sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in brakes, tyres and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — brakes (4.2%) and tyres (3.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are brake pads, tread depth and shock absorbers — brake pads alone was recorded 16 times.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 21.2% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 4.2% | 15 |
| 2 | Tyres | 3.1% | 11 |
| 3 | Suspension | 2.0% | 7 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 1.4% | 5 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.1% | 4 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.9% | 3 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brake pads | 16 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 11 |
| 3 | Shock absorbers | 8 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 5 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 3 |
| 6 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 3 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 21.2% | 75 |
| 2 | Tyres | 19.5% | 69 |
| 3 | Other defects | 8.2% | 29 |
| 4 | Suspension | 5.9% | 21 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.4% | 5 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 0.6% | 2 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 200 | 6.0% |
| 30-60k | 150 | 12.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 170 | 5.9% |
| 2025 | 183 | 11.5% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Ateca Vz1 4Drive
On a 2021 Ateca Vz1 4Drive, brakes is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 4.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Brakes (4.2% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Tyres (3.1% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Suspension (2.0% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2021 Cupra Ateca Vz1 4Drives pass their MOT?
91.2% of the 354 2021 Cupra Ateca Vz1 4Drive MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 8.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Cupra Ateca Vz1 4Drive?
Brakes, recorded in 4.2% of tests, followed by tyres (3.1%).
Does the 2021 Ateca Vz1 4Drive get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.0% in the 0-30k band to 12.7% in the 30-60k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 354 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.