Motoring website Honest John goes live today with a huge data journalism project based on analysis of 24.5m MoT tests conducted up to 30 September 2011.
The Mot Files has turned this information into a database which allows readers to compare pass and fail rates of cars by their make, manufacturer, location and year of registration.
The MoT information was released by the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) after a Freedom of Information battle fought by the BBC.
The BBC first published a story based on the MoT information in early 2010.
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According to Honest John: 'The MoT Files marks the first time that this huge data set has been published and analysed in full, encompassing every car over three years old currently on the UK's roads.
'It's also the first time that this information has been harnessed in such a way that the average consumer can make sense of it, allowing them, for example, to compare the likelihood that a Mini or a Fiat Punto will fail their first MoT on brake problems."
Daniel Harrison, editor of honestjohn.co.uk, said: 'This is information that has been kept from car owners for many years. VOSA even fought to keep it out of public view. It's the first time that this information has been made available in this detail, and in a format that makes it easy to access.
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"Hard-pressed families can take this information and use it to ensure that they're not failing a MoT on something that can be easily fixed beforehand. Honestjohn.co.uk's MoT Files demonstrates that many failure items are down to the owner, rather than inherent fault with the car. Families using the data that comes from the 24.5 million records will be better prepared for their MoTs and be able to keep better control over the cost of motoring."
Top 10 pass rates by manufacturer:
1. Lexus
2. Suzuki
3. Honda
4. Saab
5. Toyota
6. Audi
7. Smart
8. Mercedes Benz
9. Landrover
10. SEAT
Bottom 10 pass rates by manufacturer:
1. Renault
2. Mini
3. Citroen
4. Chevrolet
5. Peugeot
6. Fiat
7. Volvo
8. Vauxhall
9. Mitsubishi
10. Jaguar
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