The MOT Files

London · postcode area BR

Bromley MOT pass rate

Data updated

Quick answer

Cars tested in the Bromley area pass 74.7% of MOTs once results are adjusted for their age and mileage, above the national average of 72.2% and ranking 29 of 118 areas in Britain. From 120,173 tests. Corrosion items are recorded 0.0 times per 100 failures here, ranking 113 of 118 for rust.

At a glance

Pass rate, adjusted for age and mileage

74.7%adjusted · 79.0% raw120,173 tests · rank 29 of 118

Bromley is 2.5 percentage points above the national pass rate once the age and mileage of its cars are accounted for. The raw figure is 79.0%; the drop after adjustment is the local fleet being newer than the national mix. Cars here average 54,814 miles at test.

DVSA recorded wording

What cars fail on in Bromley

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.A tyre seriously damaged12.0%

    Tyre damaged or deteriorated explained

  2. 2.Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen10.1%

    Wiper or washer not working properly explained

  3. 3.a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm9.8%

    Brake drum or shoe worn or contaminated explained

  4. 4.A tyre cords visible or damaged9.0%

    Tyre ply or cord exposed, or the casing separating explained

  5. 5.Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements7.4%

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit explained

  6. 6.A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning7.4%

    Lamp not working explained

  7. 7.Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning5.8%

    Stop lamp not working explained

  8. 8.A headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED4.7%

    Headlamp not working explained

  9. 9.The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements4.7%

    Headlamp aim incorrect explained

  10. 10.A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn4.6%

    Suspension arm bush worn explained

Warnings without a failure

Most common advisories

How wear changes the picture

Pass rate by age in Bromley

3–5 yrsreg. 2020–202288%
6–8 yrsreg. 2017–201984%
9–11 yrsreg. 2014–201678%
12–14 yrsreg. 2011–201371%
15+ yrsreg. 2010 and earlier66%

What gets tested here

Makes most often tested in Bromley

London

Other areas in London

All 118 areas ranked

Common questions

What is the MOT pass rate in Bromley?
74.7% of MOT tests in the Bromley postcode area (BR) pass once results are adjusted for the age and mileage of the cars tested, which is above the national average of 72.2%. The unadjusted figure is 79.0%. That ranks Bromley 29 of 118 areas in England, Scotland and Wales.
What do cars fail on most in Bromley?
The item recorded most often on failed tests in Bromley is "A tyre seriously damaged", in 12.0% of failed tests, followed by "Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen" (10.1%). Corrosion-related items are recorded 0.0 times per 100 failed tests here, which ranks 113 of 118 areas for corrosion.
Does this mean garages here are stricter or more lenient?
No. The figure describes the cars tested in Bromley, 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 Bromley a bad area to buy a used car from?
The area itself is not a concern. Corrosion is recorded less often on failed tests here than in coastal and northern areas, so a car from Bromley is, on the evidence, less likely to carry rust problems than one from Scotland or the West Country. The individual car's MOT history still matters far more than its postcode.

Analysis built from DVSA data of