2021 Cupra Formentor V1 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,107 MOT tests analysed for the 2021 Cupra Formentor V1, the most common recorded failure areas were tyres, suspension and visibility. Its pass rate of 92.0% was in line with the average for cars of a similar age (91.2%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 17.6% in the 60-90k group versus 6.8% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 3.7% | 41 |
| 2 | Suspension | 2.5% | 28 |
| 3 | Visibility | 2.2% | 24 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 1.8% | 20 |
| 5 | Brakes | 1.3% | 14 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.7% | 8 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shock absorbers | 28 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 23 |
| 3 | Washers | 22 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 13 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 9 |
| 6 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 7 |
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 | 20.2% | 224 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.7% | 152 |
| 3 | Brakes | 9.0% | 100 |
| 4 | Other defects | 4.2% | 46 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.7% | 19 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 0.4% | 5 |
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 | 620 | 6.8% |
| 30-60k | 444 | 9.0% |
| 60-90k | 34 | 17.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 526 | 8.2% |
| 2025 | 558 | 8.2% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Formentor V1
Before buying a 2021 Cupra Formentor V1, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Tyres accounted for 3.7% of tests for this year.
- Tyres (3.7% 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 (2.2% 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?
92.0% of the 1,107 2021 Cupra Formentor V1 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 8.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Cupra Formentor V1?
Tyres, recorded in 3.7% of tests, followed by suspension (2.5%).
Does the 2021 Formentor V1 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.8% in the 0-30k band to 17.6% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,107 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.