The government agency which oversees the MOT system has backed down after 18 months and released data which shows how often different makes and models of cars and small vans fail MOTs.
This means that car and van buyers will now have access to the detailed MOT records of individual models, including reasons for failures. The figures show wide variation between different models, even when comparing vehicles of the same age.
The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA), an arm of the Department for Transport, yesterday revealed 1,200 pages of detailed statistics on MOT failures following a freedom of information request made by the BBC in July 2008.
VOSA initially declined to supply the material, but last month the information commissioner ruled that disclosure is in the public interest and overturned VOSA's refusal.
