Part of Buying a used car

Used cars under $30,000 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
  1. 1
    2016 Honda Fit
    Failed first time
    14%
    Average car
    25%
    Typical price
    $13,490
  2. 2
    2022 Nissan X-Trail
    Failed first time
    7%
    Average car
    11%
    Typical price
    $17,949
  3. 3
    2021 Toyota Yaris Cross
    Failed first time
    8%
    Average car
    13%
    Typical price
    $29,990
  4. 4
    2018 Honda Vezel
    Failed first time
    11%
    Average car
    19%
    Typical price
    $24,995
  5. 5
    2017 Toyota Prius
    Failed first time
    13%
    Average car
    22%
    Typical price
    $17,730
  6. 6
    2019 Subaru Forester
    Failed first time
    11%
    Average car
    16%
    Typical price
    $24,980
  7. 7
    2018 Mazda CX-3
    Failed first time
    12%
    Average car
    19%
    Typical price
    $20,918
  8. 8
    2015 Mini Cooper
    Failed first time
    19%
    Average car
    28%
    Typical price
    $13,989
  9. 9
    2018 Subaru XV
    Failed first time
    13%
    Average car
    19%
    Typical price
    $19,993
  10. 10
    2021 Toyota Yaris
    Failed first time
    9%
    Average car
    13%
    Typical price
    $18,995
  11. 11
    2016 Nissan Note
    Failed first time
    18%
    Average car
    25%
    Typical price
    $10,995
  12. 12
    2013 Toyota Corolla
    Failed first time
    25%
    Average car
    34%
    Typical price
    $12,980
  13. 13
    2015 Toyota Vitz
    Failed first time
    21%
    Average car
    28%
    Typical price
    $12,990
  14. 14
    2016 Subaru Outback
    Failed first time
    19%
    Average car
    25%
    Typical price
    $19,995
  15. 15
    2020 Mazda CX-30
    Failed first time
    10%
    Average car
    14%
    Typical price
    $24,980
  16. 16
    2019 Mazda 3
    Failed first time
    12%
    Average car
    16%
    Typical price
    $23,740
  17. 17
    2022 Nissan Leaf
    Failed first time
    9%
    Average car
    11%
    Typical price
    $22,990
  18. 18
    2019 Mazda CX-5
    Failed first time
    13%
    Average car
    16%
    Typical price
    $24,600
  19. 19
    2017 Toyota C-HR
    Failed first time
    17%
    Average car
    22%
    Typical price
    $24,980
  20. 20
    2018 Mitsubishi Outlander
    Failed first time
    15%
    Average car
    19%
    Typical price
    $20,990
  21. 21
    2017 Mazda Demio
    Failed first time
    18%
    Average car
    22%
    Typical price
    $12,995
  22. 22
    2021 Hyundai Santa Fe
    Failed first time
    11%
    Average car
    13%
    Typical price
    $24,949
  23. 23
    2023 Nissan Qashqai
    Failed first time
    7%
    Average car
    8%
    Typical price
    $24,170
  24. 24
    2015 Suzuki Swift
    Failed first time
    25%
    Average car
    28%
    Typical price
    $10,980
  25. 25
    2022 Hyundai Tucson
    Failed first time
    11%
    Average car
    11%
    Typical price
    $22,980
  26. 26
    2014 Mazda Axela
    Failed first time
    29%
    Average car
    31%
    Typical price
    $15,175
  27. 27
    2013 Mazda Atenza
    Failed first time
    34%
    Average car
    34%
    Typical price
    $14,949
  28. 28
    2018 Mitsubishi Triton
    Failed first time
    19%
    Average car
    19%
    Typical price
    $24,990
  29. 29
    2016 Ford Ranger
    Failed first time
    28%
    Average car
    25%
    Typical price
    $25,993
  30. 30
    2013 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 $30,000. 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 $30,000 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 $30,000 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 2021 Toyota Yaris Cross (8% failed first time, against 13% 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.