The MOT Files

Scotland · postcode area DG

Dumfries MOT pass rate

Data updated

Quick answer

Cars tested in the Dumfries area pass 74.0% of MOTs once results are adjusted for their age and mileage, above the national average of 72.2% and ranking 39 of 118 areas in Britain. From 77,778 tests. Corrosion items are recorded 9.0 times per 100 failures here, ranking 38 of 118 for rust.

At a glance

Pass rate, adjusted for age and mileage

74.0%adjusted · 74.4% raw77,778 tests · rank 39 of 118

Dumfries is 1.7 percentage points above the national pass rate once the age and mileage of its cars are accounted for. Cars here average 75,771 miles at test.

DVSA recorded wording

What cars fail on in Dumfries

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 spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened20.3%

    Road spring broken or fractured explained

  2. 2.Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements13.4%

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit explained

  3. 3.A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn9.7%

    Suspension arm bush worn explained

  4. 4.A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn8.7%

    Suspension arm bush worn explained

  5. 5.A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play7.4%

    Ball joint worn explained

  6. 6.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

  7. 7.Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement7.0%

    Parking brake efficiency too low explained

  8. 8.A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning6.9%

    Lamp not working explained

  9. 9.Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen6.6%

    Wiper or washer not working properly explained

  10. 10.Brake disc or drum significantly and obviously worn6.6%

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored explained

Corrosion

9.0 corrosion items per 100 failed tests

That ranks Dumfries 38 of 118 areas for rust. Corrosion is a meaningful share of failures here, though well short of the coastal and Scottish extremes. What structural corrosion means for the test.

Warnings without a failure

Most common advisories

How wear changes the picture

Pass rate by age in Dumfries

3–5 yrsreg. 2020–202290%
6–8 yrsreg. 2017–201983%
9–11 yrsreg. 2014–201673%
12–14 yrsreg. 2011–201365%
15+ yrsreg. 2010 and earlier60%

What gets tested here

Makes most often tested in Dumfries

Scotland

Other areas in Scotland

All 118 areas ranked

Common questions

What is the MOT pass rate in Dumfries?
74.0% of MOT tests in the Dumfries postcode area (DG) 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 74.4%. That ranks Dumfries 39 of 118 areas in England, Scotland and Wales.
What do cars fail on most in Dumfries?
The item recorded most often on failed tests in Dumfries is "A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened", in 20.3% of failed tests, followed by "Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements" (13.4%). Corrosion-related items are recorded 9.0 times per 100 failed tests here, which ranks 38 of 118 areas for corrosion.
Does this mean garages here are stricter or more lenient?
No. The figure describes the cars tested in Dumfries, 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 Dumfries 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 Dumfries 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