2021 Cupra Formentor V1 Phev S-A — MOT failures & pass rate

Across 1,143 MOT tests analysed for the 2021 Cupra Formentor V1 Phev S-A, the most common recorded failure areas were tyres, suspension and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 90.3% was in line with the average for cars of a similar age (91.2%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 14.2% in the 60-90k group versus 6.9% in the 0-30k group.

Pass rate

1,143

MOT tests analysed

9.7%

Fail rate

in line with

vs cars of similar age

3.5

Avg age at test (yrs)

How it compares

Fail rate for this model-year against the segment and national averages for cars of a similar age.

Top failure categories

Most common MOT failure areas — 2021 Cupra Formentor V1 Phev S-A
#	Category	% of tests affected	Tests
1	Tyres	5.2%	59
2	Suspension	3.1%	35
3	Lighting & signalling	2.8%	32
4	Visibility	2.3%	26
5	Seat belts & restraints	1.1%	12
6	Brakes	1.0%	11

Percentage of tests with at least one failure recorded in each category.

Most common specific failures

The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.

Most frequently recorded failure items — 2021 Cupra Formentor V1 Phev S-A
#	Failure item	Times recorded
1	Tread depth	36
2	Shock absorbers	35
3	Washers	20
4	Headlamp aim	17
5	Pins and bushes	11
6	Brake discs	10

Top advisory categories

Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.

Most common MOT advisories — 2021 Cupra Formentor V1 Phev S-A
#	Category	% of tests with advisory	Tests
1	Tyres	21.8%	249
2	Suspension	10.0%	114
3	Brakes	6.1%	70
4	Other defects	5.5%	63
5	Visibility	3.0%	34
6	Lighting & signalling	0.5%	6

Failure rate by mileage

Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.

MOT fail rate by recorded mileage band.

Fail rate by recorded mileage — 2021 Formentor V1 Phev S-A
Mileage band	Tests	Fail rate
0-30k	362	6.9%
30-60k	637	10.1%
60-90k	127	14.2%

Failure rate by age

How this model-year's MOT fail rate climbs as the cars get older.

Trend over time

Fail rate by dataset year — 2021 Formentor V1 Phev S-A
Dataset year	Tests	Fail rate
2024	551	7.4%
2025	587	11.9%

What to check before buying a 2021 Formentor V1 Phev S-A

Before buying a 2021 Cupra Formentor V1 Phev S-A, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Tyres accounted for 5.2% of tests for this year.

Tyres (5.2% 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.
Suspension (3.1% 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 (2.8% 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 V1 Phev S-As pass their MOT?

90.3% of the 1,143 2021 Cupra Formentor V1 Phev S-A MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 9.7% fail rate.

What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Cupra Formentor V1 Phev S-A?

Tyres, recorded in 5.2% of tests, followed by suspension (3.1%).

Does the 2021 Formentor V1 Phev S-A get worse with mileage?

Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.9% in the 0-30k band to 14.2% in the 60-90k band.

Methodology & source. Based on 1,143 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.