Which area of the UK has the best MOT pass rate?

Southall (postcode area UB), at 79.5% once results are adjusted for the age and mileage of the cars tested, from 204,599 tests. The top of the table is dominated by outer London and its commuter belt.

Which area has the worst MOT pass rate?

Kirkcaldy (KY), at 61.3% adjusted, from 186,858 tests. Scottish areas fill most of the bottom of the table, and the failure items explain why: corrosion is recorded far more often there than anywhere in England.

Why adjust regional pass rates for age and mileage?

Because a raw regional rate mostly reports how new the cars in that area are. Wealthier areas run younger fleets and pass more for that reason alone. Each area's rate here is measured within age and mileage bands and reweighted onto the national profile, so the figure describes what the area contributes — roads, weather, salt, testing culture — rather than what its residents can afford.

Why do cars in Scotland fail the MOT more often?

Corrosion. Corrosion-related items appear 28 times per 100 failed tests in Outer Hebrides, against effectively none in outer London. Road salt in winter and sea air on the coasts attack brake pipes, suspension mountings and structural metal, and Scottish cars see far more of both. Rural driving on rougher roads adds tyre and suspension wear on top.

Does where I get my MOT done affect whether I pass?

Not in the way people hope. These figures describe the cars tested in an area, not the strictness of its testers, and a car does not become sounder by being driven to a different postcode. What the table does tell you is what to expect: a car that has lived in a high-corrosion area should be checked underneath before the test, wherever the test is booked.

Where does this data come from?

The DVSA anonymised MOT testing dataset, published under the Open Government Licence, which records the postcode area of the test centre for every test. This analysis covers 33,208,785 class 4 initial tests. Northern Ireland runs a separate scheme and is not included.

Where cars pass, and where they fail

MOT pass rates by area: every part of Britain ranked

Data updated 3 September 2026

Quick answer

Across 33,208,785 MOT tests, Southall has the highest pass rate in Britain at 79.5% and Kirkcaldy the lowest at 61.3%, once the age and mileage of the cars tested is accounted for — a gap of 18.1 points. London averages 77.1%, Scotland 66.6%. The difference is mostly corrosion.

Every MOT test records the postcode area of the station that carried it out. Grouped by that, the 33,208,785 tests in the DVSA dataset become a map of where cars in Britain pass and where they fail — and once the age and mileage of each area’s fleet is adjusted for, so that a rich suburb full of three-year-old cars is not rewarded for being rich, the pattern that remains is geography.

By nation and region

London at the top, Scotland at the bottom

London16 areas · 3,166,804 tests77.1%

West Midlands10 areas · 3,260,364 tests74.4%

East of England12 areas · 3,723,006 tests74.1%

South East13 areas · 4,848,908 tests72.8%

East Midlands5 areas · 2,303,267 tests72.7%

Yorkshire and the Humber10 areas · 3,006,843 tests72.6%

North West14 areas · 3,859,385 tests71.8%

North East5 areas · 1,333,394 tests71.1%

Wales5 areas · 1,596,219 tests69.7%

South West12 areas · 3,504,976 tests69.0%

Scotland16 areas · 2,605,619 tests66.6%

Adjusted pass rate, weighted by tests. National average 72.2%.

What the failure items show

The salt map

Pass rates say how often cars fail. The items testers record say why, and one category separates the top of the table from the bottom. Corrosion — rusted brake pipes, corroded suspension mountings, weakened structure — is recorded 28 times per 100 failed tests in Outer Hebrides and effectively never in Guildford. Sea air on the coasts and islands, road salt through Scottish winters, and the same wet roads year after year.

Most corrosion

Least corrosion

Corrosion items per 100 failed tests. Areas under 100,000 tests are left out of the low list so a small sample cannot claim a clean sheet.

Adjusted for age and mileage

The fifteen highest pass rates

The fifteen postcode areas with the highest adjusted MOT pass rates
#	Area	Adjusted	Raw	vs national	Tests
1	SouthallUB	79.5%	79.3%	+7.2	204,599
2	SuttonSM	79.1%	79.0%	+6.8	74,601
3	SloughSL	78.8%	78.5%	+6.5	238,855
4	IlfordIG	78.6%	80.0%	+6.4	145,798
5	RomfordRM	78.6%	79.4%	+6.4	270,164
6	HarrowHA	78.0%	78.5%	+5.8	200,040
7	East LondonE	77.4%	77.7%	+5.2	268,239
8	TwickenhamTW	77.4%	78.5%	+5.1	243,725
9	EnfieldEN	77.3%	78.3%	+5.1	195,435
10	North LondonN	77.0%	76.9%	+4.8	224,138
11	CroydonCR	76.9%	77.8%	+4.7	225,833
12	BirminghamB	76.7%	76.0%	+4.4	1,038,789
13	Southend-on-SeaSS	76.7%	76.8%	+4.4	291,456
14	Kingston upon ThamesKT	76.6%	78.5%	+4.4	277,514
15	LutonLU	76.5%	74.9%	+4.3	219,158

Adjusted for age and mileage

The fifteen lowest pass rates

The fifteen postcode areas with the lowest adjusted MOT pass rates
#	Area	Adjusted	Raw	vs national	Tests
118	KirkcaldyKY	61.3%	63.8%	−10.9	186,858
117	DundeeDD	61.4%	65.1%	−10.9	136,160
116	AberdeenAB	64.4%	68.0%	−7.8	254,259
115	PaisleyPA	65.4%	69.3%	−6.8	152,360
114	FalkirkFK	65.6%	70.3%	−6.7	143,757
113	ShetlandZE	65.6%	69.2%	−6.6	12,372
112	PerthPH	66.2%	69.5%	−6.1	98,541
111	EdinburghEH	66.6%	70.0%	−5.6	418,764
110	BristolBS	66.7%	66.0%	−5.5	575,556
109	MotherwellML	66.9%	70.8%	−5.3	164,970
108	BlackpoolFY	67.6%	67.8%	−4.6	141,300
107	KilmarnockKA	67.7%	70.8%	−4.6	178,076
106	ExeterEX	67.7%	64.8%	−4.5	374,484
105	SunderlandSR	67.8%	69.5%	−4.4	110,609
104	BrightonBN	68.0%	67.2%	−4.2	402,221

All 118 areas

The full table

Every postcode area in England, Scotland and Wales, in rank order. Each links to its own page with the failure items recorded there, the makes most often tested, and how the area’s cars age.

All 118 postcode areas ranked by adjusted MOT pass rate
#	Area	Adjusted	Raw	vs national	Tests
1	SouthallUB	79.5%	79.3%	+7.2	204,599
2	SuttonSM	79.1%	79.0%	+6.8	74,601
3	SloughSL	78.8%	78.5%	+6.5	238,855
4	IlfordIG	78.6%	80.0%	+6.4	145,798
5	RomfordRM	78.6%	79.4%	+6.4	270,164
6	HarrowHA	78.0%	78.5%	+5.8	200,040
7	East LondonE	77.4%	77.7%	+5.2	268,239
8	TwickenhamTW	77.4%	78.5%	+5.1	243,725
9	EnfieldEN	77.3%	78.3%	+5.1	195,435
10	North LondonN	77.0%	76.9%	+4.8	224,138
11	CroydonCR	76.9%	77.8%	+4.7	225,833
12	BirminghamB	76.7%	76.0%	+4.4	1,038,789
13	Southend-on-SeaSS	76.7%	76.8%	+4.4	291,456
14	Kingston upon ThamesKT	76.6%	78.5%	+4.4	277,514
15	LutonLU	76.5%	74.9%	+4.3	219,158
16	North West LondonNW	76.3%	78.7%	+4.0	222,605
17	DartfordDA	76.2%	77.8%	+4.0	244,502
18	BlackburnBB	76.0%	75.6%	+3.7	288,452
19	SheffieldS	75.6%	75.3%	+3.4	749,011
20	South East LondonSE	75.5%	75.5%	+3.2	260,886
21	South West LondonSW	75.4%	77.2%	+3.2	143,591
22	Hemel HempsteadHP	75.3%	75.3%	+3.1	321,232
23	CoventryCV	75.2%	75.0%	+3.0	491,027
24	West LondonW	75.2%	77.6%	+3.0	89,463
25	LeicesterLE	75.0%	74.2%	+2.8	589,085
26	BradfordBD	74.9%	74.1%	+2.6	295,508
27	MedwayME	74.8%	74.3%	+2.6	355,180
28	DerbyDE	74.8%	74.9%	+2.5	458,772
29	BromleyBR	74.7%	79.0%	+2.5	120,173
30	ChelmsfordCM	74.7%	75.7%	+2.4	399,806
31	ReadingRG	74.7%	74.8%	+2.4	506,805
32	PeterboroughPE	74.3%	73.0%	+2.1	617,736
33	Milton KeynesMK	74.3%	74.3%	+2.1	349,988
34	DudleyDY	74.2%	73.9%	+1.9	225,523
35	WolverhamptonWV	74.1%	74.2%	+1.9	224,430
36	St AlbansAL	74.0%	76.0%	+1.8	147,254
37	RedhillRH	74.0%	74.0%	+1.8	346,774
38	HerefordHR	74.0%	71.9%	+1.7	124,379
39	DumfriesDG	74.0%	74.4%	+1.7	77,778
40	StevenageSG	73.8%	74.2%	+1.6	243,292
41	WakefieldWF	73.8%	73.7%	+1.5	294,951
42	ManchesterM	73.7%	72.9%	+1.5	498,544
43	WorcesterWR	73.6%	72.9%	+1.4	196,043
44	BoltonBL	73.6%	75.0%	+1.3	254,329
45	OldhamOL	73.5%	74.3%	+1.2	228,145
46	IpswichIP	73.1%	71.0%	+0.9	395,533
47	LiverpoolL	73.1%	73.9%	+0.9	363,255
48	ColchesterCO	73.0%	71.4%	+0.8	263,636
49	OxfordOX	73.0%	72.0%	+0.8	372,106
50	TelfordTF	72.9%	71.8%	+0.7	126,240
51	CambridgeCB	72.9%	71.7%	+0.6	235,701
52	ShrewsburySY	72.7%	71.6%	+0.5	225,180
53	DurhamDH	72.7%	73.7%	+0.5	165,412
54	DoncasterDN	72.7%	72.0%	+0.5	433,685
55	TonbridgeTN	72.7%	72.1%	+0.4	444,864
56	NorwichNR	72.4%	70.6%	+0.1	456,465
57	LlandudnoLL	72.4%	70.1%	+0.1	317,464
58	CanterburyCT	72.2%	71.0%	−0.1	256,716
59	GuildfordGU	72.1%	72.3%	−0.1	453,061
60	WalsallWS	72.0%	71.7%	−0.2	238,980
61	Newcastle upon TyneNE	71.9%	73.2%	−0.4	556,809
62	SwindonSN	71.8%	70.9%	−0.4	296,008
63	SouthamptonSO	71.8%	71.1%	−0.4	406,858
64	PrestonPR	71.8%	72.7%	−0.5	305,315
65	NottinghamNG	71.6%	71.2%	−0.6	615,138
66	DorchesterDT	71.3%	66.8%	−0.9	130,375
67	ClevelandTS	71.3%	71.6%	−1.0	308,138
68	LeedsLS	71.2%	71.9%	−1.0	373,060
69	WatfordWD	71.2%	74.0%	−1.0	131,737
70	GloucesterGL	71.1%	69.3%	−1.2	410,599
71	NorthamptonNN	71.1%	70.7%	−1.2	451,762
72	WarringtonWA	71.0%	73.3%	−1.2	340,554
73	LancasterLA	71.0%	70.8%	−1.2	180,363
74	CreweCW	71.0%	72.6%	−1.2	201,508
75	TauntonTA	70.9%	67.3%	−1.3	217,052
76	Outer HebridesHS	70.9%	71.3%	−1.4	14,822
77	KirkwallKW	70.8%	71.2%	−1.4	27,960
78	Stoke-on-TrentST	70.8%	71.4%	−1.4	369,773
79	CarlisleCA	70.6%	71.9%	−1.6	198,012
80	HalifaxHX	70.6%	70.7%	−1.7	83,052
81	HarrogateHG	70.5%	73.9%	−1.8	93,409
82	StockportSK	70.2%	72.9%	−2.1	335,296
83	NewportNP	70.0%	69.0%	−2.3	290,375
84	YorkYO	69.7%	70.5%	−2.5	315,823
85	GalashielsTD	69.6%	71.1%	−2.7	63,587
86	WiganWN	69.4%	70.4%	−2.8	154,435
87	DarlingtonDL	69.3%	69.9%	−2.9	192,426
88	BournemouthBH	69.3%	68.0%	−2.9	348,759
89	ChesterCH	69.1%	69.7%	−3.1	369,877
90	TorquayTQ	69.0%	65.5%	−3.3	169,280
91	SwanseaSA	68.9%	68.7%	−3.3	420,248
92	BathBA	68.9%	66.7%	−3.4	281,123
93	GlasgowG	68.8%	72.2%	−3.4	532,334
94	PortsmouthPO	68.8%	67.4%	−3.4	470,978
95	HuddersfieldHD	68.7%	70.8%	−3.5	136,726
96	InvernessIV	68.7%	71.0%	−3.5	143,021
97	SalisburySP	68.6%	66.2%	−3.6	159,006
98	CardiffCF	68.5%	68.7%	−3.7	539,764
99	TruroTR	68.2%	65.1%	−4.0	203,285
100	Llandrindod WellsLD	68.2%	65.6%	−4.0	28,368
101	HullHU	68.2%	68.9%	−4.0	231,618
102	LincolnLN	68.1%	67.8%	−4.1	188,510
103	PlymouthPL	68.0%	64.7%	−4.2	339,449
104	BrightonBN	68.0%	67.2%	−4.2	402,221
105	SunderlandSR	67.8%	69.5%	−4.4	110,609
106	ExeterEX	67.7%	64.8%	−4.5	374,484
107	KilmarnockKA	67.7%	70.8%	−4.6	178,076
108	BlackpoolFY	67.6%	67.8%	−4.6	141,300
109	MotherwellML	66.9%	70.8%	−5.3	164,970
110	BristolBS	66.7%	66.0%	−5.5	575,556
111	EdinburghEH	66.6%	70.0%	−5.6	418,764
112	PerthPH	66.2%	69.5%	−6.1	98,541
113	ShetlandZE	65.6%	69.2%	−6.6	12,372
114	FalkirkFK	65.6%	70.3%	−6.7	143,757
115	PaisleyPA	65.4%	69.3%	−6.8	152,360
116	AberdeenAB	64.4%	68.0%	−7.8	254,259
117	DundeeDD	61.4%	65.1%	−10.9	136,160
118	KirkcaldyKY	61.3%	63.8%	−10.9	186,858

How this was worked out

Method and limits

Source: the DVSA anonymised MOT testing dataset under the Open Government Licence, class 4 initial tests only, grouped by the postcode area of the test station. Each area’s pass rate is measured inside twenty-five age and mileage cells and reweighted onto the national profile — the same direct standardisation used for every model on this site. The raw rate is shown alongside; the gap between the two is the age and mileage of the local fleet.

The area is where the car was tested, not necessarily where it lives, though for the great majority the two are the same. Northern Ireland runs a separate scheme and does not appear. Central London (EC and WC) has no test stations. Corrosion figures count items recorded per 100 failed tests, so a failed car with two rusted brake pipes counts twice; the measure is identical across areas.

An area’s pass rate describes its cars, not its testers, and it is not evidence that one garage is stricter than another. Read it as what a car that has lived in that area is likely to have wrong with it.

Common questions

Which area of the UK has the best MOT pass rate?: Southall (postcode area UB), at 79.5% once results are adjusted for the age and mileage of the cars tested, from 204,599 tests. The top of the table is dominated by outer London and its commuter belt.
Which area has the worst MOT pass rate?: Kirkcaldy (KY), at 61.3% adjusted, from 186,858 tests. Scottish areas fill most of the bottom of the table, and the failure items explain why: corrosion is recorded far more often there than anywhere in England.
Why adjust regional pass rates for age and mileage?: Because a raw regional rate mostly reports how new the cars in that area are. Wealthier areas run younger fleets and pass more for that reason alone. Each area's rate here is measured within age and mileage bands and reweighted onto the national profile, so the figure describes what the area contributes — roads, weather, salt, testing culture — rather than what its residents can afford.
Why do cars in Scotland fail the MOT more often?: Corrosion. Corrosion-related items appear 28 times per 100 failed tests in Outer Hebrides, against effectively none in outer London. Road salt in winter and sea air on the coasts attack brake pipes, suspension mountings and structural metal, and Scottish cars see far more of both. Rural driving on rougher roads adds tyre and suspension wear on top.
Does where I get my MOT done affect whether I pass?: Not in the way people hope. These figures describe the cars tested in an area, not the strictness of its testers, and a car does not become sounder by being driven to a different postcode. What the table does tell you is what to expect: a car that has lived in a high-corrosion area should be checked underneath before the test, wherever the test is booked.
Where does this data come from?: The DVSA anonymised MOT testing dataset, published under the Open Government Licence, which records the postcode area of the test centre for every test. This analysis covers 33,208,785 class 4 initial tests. Northern Ireland runs a separate scheme and is not included.

Analysis built from DVSA data of 3 September 2026