North East · postcode area DH
Durham MOT pass rate
Data updated
Quick answer
Cars tested in the Durham area pass 72.7% of MOTs once results are adjusted for their age and mileage, about the national average of 72.2% and ranking 53 of 118 areas in Britain. From 165,412 tests. Corrosion items are recorded 13.6 times per 100 failures here, ranking 9 of 118 for rust.
At a glance
Pass rate, adjusted for age and mileage
Durham is 0.5 percentage points above the national pass rate once the age and mileage of its cars are accounted for. Cars here average 73,455 miles at test.
DVSA recorded wording
What cars fail on in Durham
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 weakened21.2%
- 2.Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements12.5%
- 3.Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded9.2%
- 4.A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn8.9%
- 5.A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn8.7%
- 6.a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm8.4%
- 7.A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc8.2%
- 8.A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play7.7%
- 9.A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning7.6%
- 10.Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen7.1%
Corrosion
13.6 corrosion items per 100 failed tests
That ranks Durham 9 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 requirements20.4% of tests
- Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured15.5% of tests
- A tyre seriously damaged12.3% of tests
- Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded10.5% of tests
- a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm8.6% of tests
- A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn7.9% of tests
How wear changes the picture
Pass rate by age in Durham
What gets tested here
Makes most often tested in Durham
North East
Other areas in North East
- Newcastle upon Tyne71.9% · #61
- Cleveland71.3% · #67
- Darlington69.3% · #87
- Sunderland67.8% · #105
Common questions
- What is the MOT pass rate in Durham?
- 72.7% of MOT tests in the Durham postcode area (DH) 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 73.7%. That ranks Durham 53 of 118 areas in England, Scotland and Wales.
- What do cars fail on most in Durham?
- The item recorded most often on failed tests in Durham is "A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened", in 21.2% of failed tests, followed by "Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements" (12.5%). Corrosion-related items are recorded 13.6 times per 100 failed tests here, which ranks 9 of 118 areas for corrosion.
- Does this mean garages here are stricter or more lenient?
- No. The figure describes the cars tested in Durham, 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 Durham 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 Durham 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