2021 Cupra Formentor V1 — MOT failures & pass rate
4,029 MOT tests on the 2021 Cupra Formentor V1 are in this dataset, and 91.0% of them passed. That is effectively the same as all cars of a similar age (8.7% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in tyres, suspension and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (4.6%) and suspension (2.5%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, shock absorbers and washers — tread depth alone was recorded 113 times.
A 90-120k example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 16.7% versus 6.5%.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 8.7% of the time against 9.7% for hybrid.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 21.6% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 1.8% of tests failed in 2023 against 10.4% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 4.6% | 186 |
| 2 | Suspension | 2.5% | 99 |
| 3 | Visibility | 2.3% | 92 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 2.1% | 85 |
| 5 | Brakes | 1.5% | 59 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.8% | 31 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tread depth | 113 |
| 2 | Shock absorbers | 98 |
| 3 | Washers | 75 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 48 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 45 |
| 6 | Wipers | 29 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 21.6% | 870 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.2% | 452 |
| 3 | Brakes | 9.4% | 379 |
| 4 | Other defects | 5.8% | 234 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.3% | 94 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 0.6% | 25 |
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 | 1,870 | 6.5% |
| 30-60k | 1,895 | 10.7% |
| 60-90k | 234 | 14.1% |
| 90-120k | 30 | 16.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 2,886 | 8.7% |
| Hybrid | 1,143 | 9.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 56 | 1.8% |
| 2024 | 1,930 | 7.7% |
| 2025 | 2,043 | 10.4% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Formentor V1
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 4.6% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (4.6% 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 (2.5% 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.
- Visibility (2.3% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
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 Formentor V1s pass their MOT?
91.0% of the 4,029 2021 Cupra Formentor V1 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 9.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Cupra Formentor V1?
Tyres, recorded in 4.6% of tests, followed by suspension (2.5%).
Does the 2021 Formentor V1 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.5% in the 0-30k band to 16.7% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,029 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.