Most Reliable General Motors Models: Real MOT Data Analysis
We analysed 1,031 real UK MOT tests to reveal which General Motors models pass most often, which years to buy, and which to avoid entirely.
1,031 MOT tests analysed
Real DVSA data covering every General Motors model from 2000-2023
Key Findings
Most Reliable Model
Insufficient data
N/A
Best Single Year
Insufficient data
N/A
General Motors vs National Average
77.7% vs 71.4%
+6.2% above average
Durability Champion
N/A
N/A
With 1,031 MOT tests in the DVSA database, General Motors has limited test data compared to mainstream manufacturers. Here's what that data reveals about which models perform best.
This isn't survey data or owner opinions. These are actual pass/fail results from UK garages, covering General Motors models sold in the UK from 2000 to 2023.
How General Motors Compares to Rivals
General Motors ranks #97 out of 180 manufacturers with a 77.7% average MOT pass rate. That's above the national average of 71.4%:
| Manufacturer | Pass Rate | Rank | Tests Analysed |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Motors | 77.7% | #97 | 1,031 |
| Toyota | 73.8% | #115 | 1,637,457 |
| Volkswagen | 71.9% | #129 | 3,034,850 |
| Nissan | 68.6% | #142 | 1,626,183 |
| Ford | 68.5% | #143 | 4,473,074 |
| Vauxhall | 65.4% | #155 | 3,052,659 |
The verdict: General Motors leads its competitors with a 77.7% pass rate.
Best General Motors Models by MOT Pass Rate
Looking at overall reliability across all years, here's how General Motors's core models rank against the 71.4% national average:
| Model | Pass Rate | vs National (71.4%) | Tests | Years |
|---|
* Compared to overall 71.4% national average across all years. For year-adjusted comparisons that account for newer cars passing more often, see individual model breakdowns below.
General Motors Hybrids vs Petrol vs Diesel
Reliability varies by fuel type for General Motors. Here's how each performs:
| Fuel Type | Average Pass Rate | vs National | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 79.2% | +7.8% | 885 |
| Diesel | 65.7% | -5.8% | 134 |
What Goes Wrong on General Motorss?
When General Motorss fail MOTs, these are the most common causes:
| Failure Category | Total Failures |
|---|---|
| 1. Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 122 |
| 2. Brakes | 72 |
| 3. Noise, emissions and leaks | 52 |
| 4. Suspension | 51 |
| 5. Visibility | 37 |
| 6. Tyres | 29 |
| 7. Body, chassis, structure | 28 |
Pre-MOT checklist for General Motors owners:
- Check all bulbs (number plate lights are commonly missed)
- Check brake pad thickness and disc condition
- Check exhaust system for leaks and emissions
- Inspect suspension bushes and anti-roll bar links
- Clean windscreen and check wiper blade condition
Frequently Asked Questions
Our Buying Recommendations
Best If Buying Nearly New
2019-2023 models with highest early pass rates
- Limited data for recent models
Note: Long-term durability not yet proven for these newer models
Best If Buying Used (Proven)
11+ years of proven durability data
- Limited proven durability data available
General Motors Models to Avoid (Proven Poor)
Proven below average at 11+ years - not just old, genuinely problematic
- No major proven reliability concerns
About This Data
This analysis uses real MOT test results from the DVSA database, covering 1,031 tests on General Motors vehicles between 2000 and 2023.
Year-Adjusted Scoring (v2.1): In year-by-year breakdowns, each vehicle is compared against the national average for vehicles of the same model year. This removes the natural bias where newer cars pass more often, allowing fair comparisons across eras.
Evidence-Tiered Durability: We separate "proven durability" (vehicles tested at 11+ years old) from "early performers" (3-6 years old). Only vehicles with proven long-term data are used for durability claims. Age-band comparisons use weighted national averages.
Minimum thresholds: 100 tests for proven durability rankings, 100 tests for early performer rankings. Pass rates are calculated as first-time passes, excluding retests.
The overall national average MOT pass rate is 71.44% based on 32,300,000 tests across all manufacturers. Year-specific averages range from ~59% (2009 vehicles) to ~88% (2020 vehicles).
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