The MOT Files

West Midlands · postcode area HR

Hereford MOT pass rate

Data updated

Quick answer

Cars tested in the Hereford area pass 74.0% of MOTs once results are adjusted for their age and mileage, above the national average of 72.2% and ranking 38 of 118 areas in Britain. From 124,379 tests. Corrosion items are recorded 9.9 times per 100 failures here, ranking 33 of 118 for rust.

At a glance

Pass rate, adjusted for age and mileage

74.0%adjusted · 71.9% raw124,379 tests · rank 38 of 118

Hereford is 1.7 percentage points above the national pass rate once the age and mileage of its cars are accounted for. The raw figure is 71.9%; the rise after adjustment is the local fleet being older than the national mix. Cars here average 83,002 miles at test.

DVSA recorded wording

What cars fail on in Hereford

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 weakened13.6%

    Road spring broken or fractured explained

  2. 2.Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements12.9%

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit explained

  3. 3.A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning8.7%

    Lamp not working explained

  4. 4.A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn8.2%

    Suspension arm bush worn explained

  5. 5.Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen8.0%

    Wiper or washer not working properly explained

  6. 6.A tyre cords visible or damaged7.0%

    Tyre ply or cord exposed, or the casing separating explained

  7. 7.A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn6.9%

    Suspension arm bush worn explained

  8. 8.a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm6.6%

    Brake drum or shoe worn or contaminated explained

  9. 9.The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements6.1%

    Headlamp aim incorrect explained

  10. 10.A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc6.1%

    Driveshaft CV joint gaiter split or missing explained

Corrosion

9.9 corrosion items per 100 failed tests

That ranks Hereford 33 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 Hereford

3–5 yrsreg. 2020–202289%
6–8 yrsreg. 2017–201983%
9–11 yrsreg. 2014–201674%
12–14 yrsreg. 2011–201365%
15+ yrsreg. 2010 and earlier59%

What gets tested here

Makes most often tested in Hereford

West Midlands

Other areas in West Midlands

All 118 areas ranked

Common questions

What is the MOT pass rate in Hereford?
74.0% of MOT tests in the Hereford postcode area (HR) 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 71.9%. That ranks Hereford 38 of 118 areas in England, Scotland and Wales.
What do cars fail on most in Hereford?
The item recorded most often on failed tests in Hereford is "A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened", in 13.6% of failed tests, followed by "Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements" (12.9%). Corrosion-related items are recorded 9.9 times per 100 failed tests here, which ranks 33 of 118 areas for corrosion.
Does this mean garages here are stricter or more lenient?
No. The figure describes the cars tested in Hereford, 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 Hereford 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 Hereford 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