South West · postcode area EX
Exeter MOT pass rate
Data updated
Quick answer
Cars tested in the Exeter area pass 67.7% of MOTs once results are adjusted for their age and mileage, well below the national average of 72.2% and ranking 106 of 118 areas in Britain. From 374,484 tests. Corrosion items are recorded 11.0 times per 100 failures here, ranking 22 of 118 for rust.
At a glance
Pass rate, adjusted for age and mileage
Exeter is 4.5 percentage points below the national pass rate once the age and mileage of its cars are accounted for. The raw figure is 64.8%; the rise after adjustment is the local fleet being older than the national mix. Cars here average 82,512 miles at test.
DVSA recorded wording
What cars fail on in Exeter
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.Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements14.4%
- 2.A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning10.8%
- 3.Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen9.4%
- 4.A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn8.8%
- 5.A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn7.7%
- 6.The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements7.7%
- 7.a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm7.0%
- 8.A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc6.9%
- 9.The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired6.6%
- 10.A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened6.6%
Corrosion
11.0 corrosion items per 100 failed tests
That ranks Exeter 22 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 requirements30.6% of tests
- A tyre seriously damaged13.3% of tests
- Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured12.6% of tests
- A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn11.0% of tests
- a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm9.6% of tests
- Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded8.2% of tests
How wear changes the picture
Pass rate by age in Exeter
What gets tested here
Makes most often tested in Exeter
South West
Other areas in South West
- Swindon71.8% · #62
- Dorchester71.3% · #66
- Gloucester71.1% · #70
- Taunton70.9% · #75
- Bournemouth69.3% · #88
- Torquay69.0% · #90
- Bath68.9% · #92
- Salisbury68.6% · #97
- Truro68.2% · #99
- Plymouth68.0% · #103
- Bristol66.7% · #110
Common questions
- What is the MOT pass rate in Exeter?
- 67.7% of MOT tests in the Exeter postcode area (EX) pass once results are adjusted for the age and mileage of the cars tested, which is well below the national average of 72.2%. The unadjusted figure is 64.8%. That ranks Exeter 106 of 118 areas in England, Scotland and Wales.
- What do cars fail on most in Exeter?
- The item recorded most often on failed tests in Exeter is "Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements", in 14.4% of failed tests, followed by "A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning" (10.8%). Corrosion-related items are recorded 11.0 times per 100 failed tests here, which ranks 22 of 118 areas for corrosion.
- Does this mean garages here are stricter or more lenient?
- No. The figure describes the cars tested in Exeter, 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 Exeter 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 Exeter 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