North East · postcode area DL
Darlington MOT pass rate
Data updated
Quick answer
Cars tested in the Darlington area pass 69.3% of MOTs once results are adjusted for their age and mileage, below the national average of 72.2% and ranking 87 of 118 areas in Britain. From 192,426 tests. Corrosion items are recorded 12.2 times per 100 failures here, ranking 15 of 118 for rust.
At a glance
Pass rate, adjusted for age and mileage
Darlington is 2.9 percentage points below the national pass rate once the age and mileage of its cars are accounted for. Cars here average 75,899 miles at test.
DVSA recorded wording
What cars fail on in Darlington
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 weakened21.0%
- 2.Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements12.7%
- 3.A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn8.0%
- 4.Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded7.9%
- 5.A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn7.8%
- 6.A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning7.4%
- 7.A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play7.1%
- 8.Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement7.1%
- 9.A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc7.0%
- 10.a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm6.8%
Corrosion
12.2 corrosion items per 100 failed tests
That ranks Darlington 15 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 requirements24.6% of tests
- Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured16.9% of tests
- A tyre seriously damaged11.9% of tests
- Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded10.5% of tests
- A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn9.4% of tests
- a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm8.0% of tests
How wear changes the picture
Pass rate by age in Darlington
What gets tested here
Makes most often tested in Darlington
North East
Other areas in North East
- Durham72.7% · #53
- Newcastle upon Tyne71.9% · #61
- Cleveland71.3% · #67
- Sunderland67.8% · #105
Common questions
- What is the MOT pass rate in Darlington?
- 69.3% of MOT tests in the Darlington postcode area (DL) pass once results are adjusted for the age and mileage of the cars tested, which is below the national average of 72.2%. The unadjusted figure is 69.9%. That ranks Darlington 87 of 118 areas in England, Scotland and Wales.
- What do cars fail on most in Darlington?
- The item recorded most often on failed tests in Darlington is "A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened", in 21.0% of failed tests, followed by "Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements" (12.7%). Corrosion-related items are recorded 12.2 times per 100 failed tests here, which ranks 15 of 118 areas for corrosion.
- Does this mean garages here are stricter or more lenient?
- No. The figure describes the cars tested in Darlington, 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 Darlington 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 Darlington 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