The MOT Files

Scotland · postcode area HS

Outer Hebrides MOT pass rate

Data updated

Quick answer

Cars tested in the Outer Hebrides area pass 70.9% of MOTs once results are adjusted for their age and mileage, about the national average of 72.2% and ranking 76 of 118 areas in Britain. From 14,822 tests. Corrosion items are recorded 28.2 times per 100 failures here, ranking 1 of 118 for rust.

At a glance

Pass rate, adjusted for age and mileage

70.9%adjusted · 71.3% raw14,822 tests · rank 76 of 118

Outer Hebrides is 1.4 percentage points below the national pass rate once the age and mileage of its cars are accounted for. Cars here average 74,528 miles at test.

DVSA recorded wording

What cars fail on in Outer Hebrides

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 weakened22.1%

    Road spring broken or fractured explained

  2. 2.Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded15.4%

    Brake pipe corroded explained

  3. 3.Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements14.2%

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit explained

  4. 4.Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake9.4%

    Brake binding or imbalanced across an axle explained

  5. 5.Brake disc or drum significantly and obviously worn9.2%

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored explained

  6. 6.A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc8.9%

    Driveshaft CV joint gaiter split or missing explained

  7. 7.Exhaust system leaking or insecure8.7%

    Exhaust leaking or insecure explained

  8. 8.Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement8.6%

    Parking brake efficiency too low explained

  9. 9.A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play8.4%

    Ball joint worn explained

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

    Lamp not working explained

Corrosion

28.2 corrosion items per 100 failed tests

That ranks Outer Hebrides 1 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 Outer Hebrides

3–5 yrsreg. 2020–202290%
6–8 yrsreg. 2017–201978%
9–11 yrsreg. 2014–201668%
12–14 yrsreg. 2011–201361%
15+ yrsreg. 2010 and earlier60%

What gets tested here

Makes most often tested in Outer Hebrides

Scotland

Other areas in Scotland

All 118 areas ranked

Common questions

What is the MOT pass rate in Outer Hebrides?
70.9% of MOT tests in the Outer Hebrides postcode area (HS) 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 71.3%. That ranks Outer Hebrides 76 of 118 areas in England, Scotland and Wales.
What do cars fail on most in Outer Hebrides?
The item recorded most often on failed tests in Outer Hebrides is "A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened", in 22.1% of failed tests, followed by "Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded" (15.4%). Corrosion-related items are recorded 28.2 times per 100 failed tests here, which ranks 1 of 118 areas for corrosion.
Does this mean garages here are stricter or more lenient?
No. The figure describes the cars tested in Outer Hebrides, 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 Outer Hebrides 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 Outer Hebrides 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