Used cars under $20,000 with the least wear and tear
Ranked by UK MOT fails against the average car of the same year · Prices listed by NZ dealers · 6 October 2026
Ranking:Least wear and tear
- 12016 Honda Fit
- Failed first time
- 14%
- Average car
- 25%
- Typical price
- $13,490
- 22022 Nissan X-Trail
- Failed first time
- 7%
- Average car
- 11%
- Typical price
- $17,949
- 32017 Toyota Prius
- Failed first time
- 13%
- Average car
- 22%
- Typical price
- $17,730
- 42015 Honda Vezel
- Failed first time
- 18%
- Average car
- 28%
- Typical price
- $16,980
- 52015 Mini Cooper
- Failed first time
- 19%
- Average car
- 28%
- Typical price
- $13,989
- 62018 Subaru XV
- Failed first time
- 13%
- Average car
- 19%
- Typical price
- $19,993
- 72021 Toyota Yaris
- Failed first time
- 9%
- Average car
- 13%
- Typical price
- $18,995
- 82016 Nissan Note
- Failed first time
- 18%
- Average car
- 25%
- Typical price
- $10,995
- 92013 Toyota Corolla
- Failed first time
- 25%
- Average car
- 34%
- Typical price
- $12,980
- 102017 Mazda CX-3
- Failed first time
- 16%
- Average car
- 22%
- Typical price
- $19,995
- 112015 Toyota Vitz
- Failed first time
- 21%
- Average car
- 28%
- Typical price
- $12,990
- 122016 Subaru Outback
- Failed first time
- 19%
- Average car
- 25%
- Typical price
- $19,995
- 132017 Mazda Demio
- Failed first time
- 18%
- Average car
- 22%
- Typical price
- $12,995
- 142015 Suzuki Swift
- Failed first time
- 25%
- Average car
- 28%
- Typical price
- $10,980
- 152014 Mazda Axela
- Failed first time
- 29%
- Average car
- 31%
- Typical price
- $15,175
- 162013 Subaru Forester
- Failed first time
- 32%
- Average car
- 34%
- Typical price
- $14,990
- 172019 Nissan Leaf
- Failed first time
- 16%
- Average car
- 16%
- Typical price
- $18,995
- 182013 Mazda Atenza
- Failed first time
- 34%
- Average car
- 34%
- Typical price
- $14,949
- 192016 Mazda CX-5
- Failed first time
- 25%
- Average car
- 25%
- Typical price
- $19,483
- 202015 Mitsubishi Outlander
- Failed first time
- 29%
- Average car
- 28%
- Typical price
- $17,965
- 212013 Mazda Premacy
- Failed first time
- 41%
- Average car
- 34%
- Typical price
- $11,993
How this is ranked
From UK MOT tests (the UK's version of a WoF) in 2025. Each model-year's share of cars that failed first time is divided by the share for the average UK car first registered the same year, so an older model isn't marked down for its age. Each model appears once, at its year with the lowest figure and a typical NZ dealer asking price under $20,000. A year needs 500 UK tests to count. Models sold in NZ under another name are matched to their UK twin, and models with no UK twin aren't ranked. An MOT checks brakes, suspension, tyres, lights and emissions on the day; it doesn't say whether an engine or gearbox will last.
Wear and tear: DVSA anonymised MOT tests, 2025. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Common questions
Which used cars under $20,000 show the least wear and tear?
In UK MOT tests (the UK's version of a WoF), the used models with a typical NZ dealer asking price under $20,000 that failed least often against the average car of the same year are the 2016 Honda Fit (14% failed first time, against 25% for the average car), the 2022 Nissan X-Trail (7% failed first time, against 11% for the average car) and the 2017 Toyota Prius (13% failed first time, against 22% for the average car).
Why UK figures?
The UK publishes the result of every MOT test, and many used cars sold in NZ are the same models, so each model and year has thousands of tests behind it. Wear and tear: DVSA anonymised MOT tests, 2025. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.