2020 Toyota C-HR — MOT failures & pass rate
53,271 MOT tests on the 2020 Toyota C-HR are in this dataset, and 92.7% of them passed. That is effectively the same as small SUVs of a similar age (7.9% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, visibility and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (4.3%) and visibility (4.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are wipers, reversing lamps and tread depth — wipers alone was recorded 2,095 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 5.0% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 19.7% once past 150k — 3.9× the risk.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 19.9% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 2.8% of tests failed in 2022 against 9.1% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 4.3% | 2,278 |
| 2 | Visibility | 4.0% | 2,120 |
| 3 | Tyres | 3.2% | 1,701 |
| 4 | Brakes | 0.4% | 213 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.4% | 186 |
| 6 | Other defects | 0.2% | 120 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 2,095 |
| 2 | Reversing lamps | 1,372 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 907 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 577 |
| 5 | Washers | 407 |
| 6 | Tyre pressure monitoring system | 238 |
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 | 19.9% | 10,582 |
| 2 | Brakes | 6.6% | 3,508 |
| 3 | Other defects | 6.0% | 3,189 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.1% | 1,635 |
| 5 | Suspension | 1.4% | 725 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 0.8% | 401 |
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 | 26,485 | 5.0% |
| 30-60k | 21,915 | 9.1% |
| 60-90k | 4,008 | 10.9% |
| 90-120k | 639 | 9.9% |
| 120-150k | 157 | 16.6% |
| 150k+ | 66 | 19.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | 53,146 | 7.3% |
| Petrol | 125 | 6.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 651 | 2.8% |
| 2023 | 17,516 | 5.7% |
| 2024 | 17,338 | 7.2% |
| 2025 | 17,738 | 9.1% |
What to check before buying a 2020 C-HR
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 4.3% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (4.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (4.0% 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.
- Tyres (3.2% 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.
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 2020 Toyota C-HRs pass their MOT?
92.7% of the 53,271 2020 Toyota C-HR MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 7.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2020 Toyota C-HR?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 4.3% of tests, followed by visibility (4.0%).
Does the 2020 C-HR get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.0% in the 0-30k band to 19.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 53,271 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.