The MOT Files

East Midlands · postcode area LN

Lincoln MOT pass rate

Data updated

Quick answer

Cars tested in the Lincoln area pass 68.1% of MOTs once results are adjusted for their age and mileage, well below the national average of 72.2% and ranking 102 of 118 areas in Britain. From 188,510 tests. Corrosion items are recorded 10.3 times per 100 failures here, ranking 28 of 118 for rust.

At a glance

Pass rate, adjusted for age and mileage

68.1%adjusted · 67.8% raw188,510 tests · rank 102 of 118

Lincoln is 4.1 percentage points below the national pass rate once the age and mileage of its cars are accounted for. Cars here average 77,853 miles at test.

DVSA recorded wording

What cars fail on in Lincoln

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 weakened14.8%

    Road spring broken or fractured explained

  2. 2.Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements9.4%

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit explained

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

    Suspension arm bush worn explained

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

    Lamp not working explained

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

    Suspension arm bush worn explained

  6. 6.A tyre seriously damaged8.0%

    Tyre damaged or deteriorated explained

  7. 7.A tyre cords visible or damaged7.2%

    Tyre ply or cord exposed, or the casing separating explained

  8. 8.Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded7.1%

    Brake pipe corroded explained

  9. 9.The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements7.0%

    Headlamp aim incorrect explained

  10. 10.A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc7.0%

    Driveshaft CV joint gaiter split or missing explained

Corrosion

10.3 corrosion items per 100 failed tests

That ranks Lincoln 28 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 Lincoln

3–5 yrsreg. 2020–202288%
6–8 yrsreg. 2017–201980%
9–11 yrsreg. 2014–201667%
12–14 yrsreg. 2011–201356%
15+ yrsreg. 2010 and earlier50%

What gets tested here

Makes most often tested in Lincoln

East Midlands

Other areas in East Midlands

All 118 areas ranked

Common questions

What is the MOT pass rate in Lincoln?
68.1% of MOT tests in the Lincoln postcode area (LN) 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 67.8%. That ranks Lincoln 102 of 118 areas in England, Scotland and Wales.
What do cars fail on most in Lincoln?
The item recorded most often on failed tests in Lincoln is "A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened", in 14.8% of failed tests, followed by "Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements" (9.4%). Corrosion-related items are recorded 10.3 times per 100 failed tests here, which ranks 28 of 118 areas for corrosion.
Does this mean garages here are stricter or more lenient?
No. The figure describes the cars tested in Lincoln, 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 Lincoln 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 Lincoln 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