Petrol vs Diesel vs Hybrid vs EV: Which Passed the Most MOTs in May 2026?
Hybrid vehicles had the best raw MOT pass rate in May. EVs were next, petrol sat in the middle and diesel came in lower, but mileage and age explain a lot of the gap.
Based on AutoRank MOT tests completed from 1 May 2026 to 31 May 2026. Counts include PASSED and FAILED outcomes. Fuel groups are matched to AutoRank vehicle data.
Raw May pass rate
Useful, but not the full story.
Median mileage
Diesel tests are coming in with far more miles on the clock.
The quick read
Hybrid vehicles passed 87.6% of May MOTs in this fuel-group view. EVs were close behind at 85.6%.
Petrol was 78.9%. Diesel was 75.6%.
That looks simple at first glance, but diesel vehicles had a median MOT mileage of 97,654 miles. EVs were much lower at 37,079 miles.
A fairer age check
Looking only at vehicles aged 3 to 10 years makes the gap smaller. Hybrids were 88.5%, EVs 86.1%, petrol 84.7% and diesel 80.5%.
Diesel still trails, but it is not the same story as the raw table. The cars being tested are different.
Buyer takeaway
If you are buying used, compare like with like. A younger EV with low miles should not be judged against a ten-year-old diesel estate that has done motorway work all its life.
Use fuel type as a clue, then check age, mileage and MOT history before you decide.
Age 3 to 10 pass rate
A tighter age band gives a better comparison than raw totals.