2021 Cupra Formentor V2 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2021 Cupra Formentor V2 passed 91.4% of its 6,052 recorded MOT tests. All cars of a similar age fail at 8.7%, so the 2021 Formentor V2 sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in tyres, suspension and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
Tyres dominates the failure mix at 5.5% of all tests — 3.2 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, shock absorbers and headlamp aim — tread depth alone was recorded 210 times.
A 90-120k example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 16.1% versus 7.8%.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 8.2% of the time against 9.6% for hybrid.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 24.1% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 0.0% of tests failed in 2023 against 8.8% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 5.5% | 330 |
| 2 | Suspension | 2.2% | 134 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.5% | 91 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.4% | 84 |
| 5 | Brakes | 0.8% | 51 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.7% | 40 |
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 | 210 |
| 2 | Shock absorbers | 143 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 62 |
| 4 | Washers | 58 |
| 5 | Pins and bushes | 38 |
| 6 | Wipers | 30 |
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 | 24.1% | 1,459 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.9% | 719 |
| 3 | Brakes | 8.8% | 530 |
| 4 | Other defects | 6.4% | 389 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.9% | 113 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 0.3% | 20 |
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 | 3,144 | 7.8% |
| 30-60k | 2,617 | 9.6% |
| 60-90k | 257 | 7.8% |
| 90-120k | 31 | 16.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 4,234 | 8.2% |
| Hybrid | 1,818 | 9.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 34 | 0.0% |
| 2024 | 2,955 | 8.6% |
| 2025 | 3,063 | 8.8% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Formentor V2
On a 2021 Formentor V2, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 5.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (5.5% 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 (2.2% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (1.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£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 V2s pass their MOT?
91.4% of the 6,052 2021 Cupra Formentor V2 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 8.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Cupra Formentor V2?
Tyres, recorded in 5.5% of tests, followed by suspension (2.2%).
Does the 2021 Formentor V2 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.8% in the 0-30k band to 16.1% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 6,052 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.