The MOT Files

Scotland · postcode area IV

Inverness MOT pass rate

Data updated

Quick answer

Cars tested in the Inverness area pass 68.7% of MOTs once results are adjusted for their age and mileage, below the national average of 72.2% and ranking 96 of 118 areas in Britain. From 143,021 tests. Corrosion items are recorded 16.0 times per 100 failures here, ranking 5 of 118 for rust.

At a glance

Pass rate, adjusted for age and mileage

68.7%adjusted · 71.0% raw143,021 tests · rank 96 of 118

Inverness is 3.5 percentage points below the national pass rate once the age and mileage of its cars are accounted for. The raw figure is 71.0%; the drop after adjustment is the local fleet being newer than the national mix. Cars here average 71,012 miles at test.

DVSA recorded wording

What cars fail on in Inverness

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 weakened19.2%

    Road spring broken or fractured explained

  2. 2.Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded10.1%

    Brake pipe corroded explained

  3. 3.Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements8.5%

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit explained

  4. 4.A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn7.9%

    Suspension arm bush worn explained

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

    Parking brake efficiency too low explained

  6. 6.A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn7.7%

    Suspension arm bush worn explained

  7. 7.A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc7.3%

    Driveshaft CV joint gaiter split or missing explained

  8. 8.A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play6.7%

    Ball joint worn explained

  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 repaired5.9%

    Suspension mounting corroded or insecure explained

  10. 10.Brake disc or drum significantly and obviously worn5.9%

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored explained

Corrosion

16.0 corrosion items per 100 failed tests

That ranks Inverness 5 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

How wear changes the picture

Pass rate by age in Inverness

3–5 yrsreg. 2020–202287%
6–8 yrsreg. 2017–201978%
9–11 yrsreg. 2014–201667%
12–14 yrsreg. 2011–201358%
15+ yrsreg. 2010 and earlier55%

What gets tested here

Makes most often tested in Inverness

Scotland

Other areas in Scotland

All 118 areas ranked

Common questions

What is the MOT pass rate in Inverness?
68.7% of MOT tests in the Inverness postcode area (IV) 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 71.0%. That ranks Inverness 96 of 118 areas in England, Scotland and Wales.
What do cars fail on most in Inverness?
The item recorded most often on failed tests in Inverness is "A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened", in 19.2% of failed tests, followed by "Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded" (10.1%). Corrosion-related items are recorded 16.0 times per 100 failed tests here, which ranks 5 of 118 areas for corrosion.
Does this mean garages here are stricter or more lenient?
No. The figure describes the cars tested in Inverness, 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 Inverness 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 Inverness 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