The MOT Files

North West · postcode area LA

Lancaster MOT pass rate

Data updated

Quick answer

Cars tested in the Lancaster area pass 71.0% of MOTs once results are adjusted for their age and mileage, about the national average of 72.2% and ranking 73 of 118 areas in Britain. From 180,363 tests. Corrosion items are recorded 9.9 times per 100 failures here, ranking 34 of 118 for rust.

At a glance

Pass rate, adjusted for age and mileage

71.0%adjusted · 70.8% raw180,363 tests · rank 73 of 118

Lancaster is 1.2 percentage points below the national pass rate once the age and mileage of its cars are accounted for. Cars here average 76,079 miles at test.

DVSA recorded wording

What cars fail on in Lancaster

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.Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements16.1%

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit explained

  2. 2.A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened12.6%

    Road spring broken or fractured explained

  3. 3.A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning9.4%

    Lamp not working explained

  4. 4.a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm8.8%

    Brake drum or shoe worn or contaminated explained

  5. 5.A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn8.0%

    Suspension arm bush worn explained

  6. 6.A tyre cords visible or damaged7.7%

    Tyre ply or cord exposed, or the casing separating explained

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

    Suspension arm bush worn explained

  8. 8.Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen7.4%

    Wiper or washer not working properly explained

  9. 9.A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc7.1%

    Driveshaft CV joint gaiter split or missing explained

  10. 10.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 repaired6.4%

    Suspension mounting corroded or insecure explained

Corrosion

9.9 corrosion items per 100 failed tests

That ranks Lancaster 34 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 Lancaster

3–5 yrsreg. 2020–202289%
6–8 yrsreg. 2017–201981%
9–11 yrsreg. 2014–201670%
12–14 yrsreg. 2011–201361%
15+ yrsreg. 2010 and earlier56%

What gets tested here

Makes most often tested in Lancaster

North West

Other areas in North West

All 118 areas ranked

Common questions

What is the MOT pass rate in Lancaster?
71.0% of MOT tests in the Lancaster postcode area (LA) 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 70.8%. That ranks Lancaster 73 of 118 areas in England, Scotland and Wales.
What do cars fail on most in Lancaster?
The item recorded most often on failed tests in Lancaster is "Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements", in 16.1% of failed tests, followed by "A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened" (12.6%). Corrosion-related items are recorded 9.9 times per 100 failed tests here, which ranks 34 of 118 areas for corrosion.
Does this mean garages here are stricter or more lenient?
No. The figure describes the cars tested in Lancaster, 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 Lancaster 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 Lancaster 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