The MOT Files

North West · postcode area FY

Blackpool MOT pass rate

Data updated

Quick answer

Cars tested in the Blackpool area pass 67.6% of MOTs once results are adjusted for their age and mileage, well below the national average of 72.2% and ranking 108 of 118 areas in Britain. From 141,300 tests. Corrosion items are recorded 10.8 times per 100 failures here, ranking 24 of 118 for rust.

At a glance

Pass rate, adjusted for age and mileage

67.6%adjusted · 67.8% raw141,300 tests · rank 108 of 118

Blackpool is 4.6 percentage points below the national pass rate once the age and mileage of its cars are accounted for. Cars here average 73,529 miles at test.

DVSA recorded wording

What cars fail on in Blackpool

Share of failed tests in the area that recorded each item. One failed test often lists several, so these do not sum to 100%.

  1. 1.Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements15.6%

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit explained

  2. 2.a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm10.9%

    Brake drum or shoe worn or contaminated explained

  3. 3.Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen10.2%

    Wiper or washer not working properly explained

  4. 4.A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning9.6%

    Lamp not working explained

  5. 5.A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened9.5%

    Road spring broken or fractured explained

  6. 6.The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements8.1%

    Headlamp aim incorrect explained

  7. 7.A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn7.5%

    Suspension arm bush worn explained

  8. 8.A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc7.2%

    Driveshaft CV joint gaiter split or missing explained

  9. 9.A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn7.1%

    Suspension arm bush worn explained

  10. 10.A tyre cords visible or damaged7.1%

    Tyre ply or cord exposed, or the casing separating explained

Corrosion

10.8 corrosion items per 100 failed tests

That ranks Blackpool 24 of 118 areas for rust. Brake pipes, suspension mountings and structural metal corrode faster here than almost anywhere in Britain — salt, sea air and wet roads. A used car from this area should be inspected underneath before purchase. What structural corrosion means for the test.

Warnings without a failure

Most common advisories

How wear changes the picture

Pass rate by age in Blackpool

3–5 yrsreg. 2020–202287%
6–8 yrsreg. 2017–201979%
9–11 yrsreg. 2014–201667%
12–14 yrsreg. 2011–201357%
15+ yrsreg. 2010 and earlier53%

What gets tested here

Makes most often tested in Blackpool

North West

Other areas in North West

All 118 areas ranked

Common questions

What is the MOT pass rate in Blackpool?
67.6% of MOT tests in the Blackpool postcode area (FY) pass once results are adjusted for the age and mileage of the cars tested, which is well below the national average of 72.2%. The unadjusted figure is 67.8%. That ranks Blackpool 108 of 118 areas in England, Scotland and Wales.
What do cars fail on most in Blackpool?
The item recorded most often on failed tests in Blackpool is "Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements", in 15.6% of failed tests, followed by "a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm" (10.9%). Corrosion-related items are recorded 10.8 times per 100 failed tests here, which ranks 24 of 118 areas for corrosion.
Does this mean garages here are stricter or more lenient?
No. The figure describes the cars tested in Blackpool, not the testers. Every MOT station applies the same inspection manual, and DVSA monitors testing standards nationally. A regional difference reflects the local fleet and local conditions — roads, weather, salt, how far cars are driven — rather than how hard the test is.
Is Blackpool a bad area to buy a used car from?
Not necessarily, but check underneath. Corrosion is recorded far more often on failed tests here than the national norm, so a car that has spent its life in Blackpool deserves a proper look at brake pipes, suspension mountings and sills before purchase. The MOT history will show whether corrosion advisories have been building up.

Analysis built from DVSA data of