North East · postcode area TS
Cleveland MOT pass rate
Data updated
Quick answer
Cars tested in the Cleveland area pass 71.3% of MOTs once results are adjusted for their age and mileage, about the national average of 72.2% and ranking 67 of 118 areas in Britain. From 308,138 tests. Corrosion items are recorded 11.6 times per 100 failures here, ranking 17 of 118 for rust.
At a glance
Pass rate, adjusted for age and mileage
Cleveland is 1.0 percentage points below the national pass rate once the age and mileage of its cars are accounted for. Cars here average 76,207 miles at test.
DVSA recorded wording
What cars fail on in Cleveland
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.A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened20.2%
- 2.Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements13.9%
- 3.A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn9.3%
- 4.a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm8.3%
- 5.A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn8.3%
- 6.Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded7.8%
- 7.A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning7.6%
- 8.A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc7.5%
- 9.A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play7.5%
- 10.Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen7.3%
Corrosion
11.6 corrosion items per 100 failed tests
That ranks Cleveland 17 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
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements26.4% of tests
- Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured17.0% of tests
- A tyre seriously damaged11.6% of tests
- Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded10.6% of tests
- a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm9.5% of tests
- A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn8.6% of tests
How wear changes the picture
Pass rate by age in Cleveland
What gets tested here
Makes most often tested in Cleveland
- Ford39,012 tests
- Vauxhall36,086 tests
- Volkswagen24,176 tests
- Nissan17,853 tests
- Audi17,158 tests
- BMW16,878 tests
- Mercedes-Benz16,873 tests
- Peugeot12,750 tests
North East
Other areas in North East
- Durham72.7% · #53
- Newcastle upon Tyne71.9% · #61
- Darlington69.3% · #87
- Sunderland67.8% · #105
Common questions
- What is the MOT pass rate in Cleveland?
- 71.3% of MOT tests in the Cleveland postcode area (TS) pass once results are adjusted for the age and mileage of the cars tested, which is about the national average of 72.2%. The unadjusted figure is 71.6%. That ranks Cleveland 67 of 118 areas in England, Scotland and Wales.
- What do cars fail on most in Cleveland?
- The item recorded most often on failed tests in Cleveland is "A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened", in 20.2% of failed tests, followed by "Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements" (13.9%). Corrosion-related items are recorded 11.6 times per 100 failed tests here, which ranks 17 of 118 areas for corrosion.
- Does this mean garages here are stricter or more lenient?
- No. The figure describes the cars tested in Cleveland, 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 Cleveland 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 Cleveland 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