Complaints by model year
Each bar is one model year. The most recent years are still collecting complaints.
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026
New York safety inspections
Share of first inspections failed on safety, by model year. Older cars fail more as miles build up, so compare each year with the average car of the same year.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections, initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Year by year
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 5 | 0 |
| 1997 | 22 | 0 |
| 1996 | 1 | 0 |
| 1995 | 15 | 0 |
| 1994 | 16 | 0 |
| 1991 | 4 | 0 |
| 1990 | 3 | 1 |
| 1989 | 2 | 0 |
| 1988 | 1 | 0 |
| 1987 | 3 | 0 |
| 1986 420 | 6 | 0 |
A model year gets its own page when it has enough data for at least three sections
Most common problems
- Electrical system14
- Suspension13
- Service brakes, hydraulic7
- Vehicle speed control6
- Power train6
- Fuel system, gasoline5
- Engine and engine cooling5
- Equipment4
NHTSA ODI complaints, all model years
In New Zealand
41 420 cars are on the New Zealand register; 61% arrived as used imports.
| Model year | Registered | Sold new in NZ | Used imports |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| 1994 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| 1993 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1991 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 1990 | 6 | 2 | 4 |
| 1989 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 1988 | 6 | 0 | 5 |
| 1987 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| 1986 | 13 | 7 | 4 |
| 1968 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
In the Netherlands
196 420 cars are on Dutch roads; 88% arrived later as imports. Open a year for APK defects, odometer checks and colours.
| First registered | On the road | Median list price |
|---|---|---|
| 1987 | 41 | — |
| 1986 | 123 | — |
| 1985 | 32 | — |
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles (CC0) · list price is the manufacturer's catalogue price when new
MOT test results in Great Britain
420 420 cars took their annual MOT test in 2023; 82% passed first time, against 71% for all cars of the same ages. Older cars fail more often, so compare a year with the same year of other cars.
| First registered | Tests | Passed first time |
|---|---|---|
| 1989 | 111 | 83% |
| 1988 | 158 | 84% |
| 1987 | 151 | 78% |
Why they fail
Share of all first tests that ended in a fail because of each part of the car (one test can fail on several).
| Area | 420 | All cars, same ages |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 10.2% | 15.8% |
| Visibility | 6.4% | 6.4% |
| Suspension | 4.8% | 8.6% |
| Brakes | 4.8% | 9.5% |
| Tyres | 2.4% | 2.0% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 2.1% | 7.6% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 1.9% | 5.2% |
| Steering | 1.2% | 3.6% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests of cars only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
Recalls
1 campaigns cover the 420.
BOLTS USED FOR THE BRAKE STRUT SUPPORT DO NOT MEET SPECIFICATIONS AND MAY BREAK.
NHTSA recalls