State of the UK Vehicle Moat — May 2026

Intel analyses hundreds of real UK vehicles to reveal which makes lead on health, what advisories cost you, and where your car stands right now.

Moat Growth This Month

Intel is Wheels Matter's context-aware AI co-pilot. It turns official DVSA & DVLA data plus our growing proprietary moat into predictive vehicle intelligence — Health Scores, 3-year cost forecasts, degradation patterns, and clear guidance for buyers and owners alike.

Our live moat now spans over 250 real UK vehicles across more than 50 distinct makes — from everyday Volkswagen Polos and Ford Fiestas through to Ferraris, McLarens, and a 1989 Lotus Esprit. Of those, approximately 180 vehicles carry a recorded Health Score, producing an overall average Health Score of 79.8 across the scored fleet. The breadth of the dataset — covering vehicles registered between 1989 and 2024 — gives Intel a genuinely wide lens on how different ages, drivetrains, and segments degrade in real UK conditions. Vehicles in the Fair band are facing an estimated £800–£1,500 on average in maintenance costs over the next 3 years based on advisory patterns observed in the moat.

Top 10 Most Reliable Makes (min. 4 scored vehicles)

Ranked by average Health Score. Only makes with 4+ scored vehicles shown.

Notable Single-Vehicle Scores

The following vehicles are notable outliers — sample sizes are too small for statistical reliability but worth highlighting.

• Aston Martin DB11 (2019) — Score: 100 — Perfect score; strong indicator of diligent specialist servicing.
• Aston Martin DB11 (2017) — Score: 97 — Consistent excellence across both DB11 entries in the moat.
• Aston Martin Vantage (2016) — Score: 100 — Immaculate result; likely a low-mileage, specialist-maintained example.
• McLaren 570 (2019) — Score: 100 — Perfect health; no advisories recorded on this mid-engined supercar.
• Ferrari 458 Italia (2010) — Score: 100 — Exceptional for a 15-year-old supercar; clearly meticulously maintained.
• Ferrari 550 (2000) — Score: 100 — A 26-year-old Ferrari scoring perfectly is a standout result.
• Rolls-Royce Phantom (2007) — Score: 100 — A 19-year-old Phantom scoring perfectly; a testament to build quality and careful ownership.
• Lotus Esprit (1989) — Score: 73 — A 37-year-old Lotus still scoring Fair is genuinely remarkable.

Models Needing Attention

Most Common MOT Advisories This Month

⚠️ 1. Tyre wear — worn close to legal limit (multiple axles)
⚠️ 2. Windscreen damage — not adversely affecting driver's view (Minor)
⚠️ 3. Shock absorber misting — light oil (rear, nearside & offside)
⚠️ 4. Coil spring corrosion / subframe and underbody corrosion
⚠️ 5. Brake disc and brake pad wear

What This Means for UK Drivers

Intel's Take

The moat is growing fastest in the premium and performance segments, and the data is already challenging some widely-held assumptions — McLaren and Aston Martin entries are consistently outscoring much newer mass-market vehicles, while certain older Land Rovers and Mercedes models are accumulating advisory risk that buyers should price carefully into any purchase decision. As Intel ingests more vehicles across the full UK age and segment spectrum, its predictive cost models will sharpen significantly — particularly for the 2010–2016 cohort where corrosion and suspension wear are now clearly systemic patterns.

Most car check tools show you the past. Wheels Matter shows you the future.

Based on 250+ real UK vehicles in our live data moat as of 05 May 2026. Every new check makes Intel sharper for everyone.