The MOT Files

West Midlands · postcode area SY

Shrewsbury MOT pass rate

Data updated

Quick answer

Cars tested in the Shrewsbury area pass 72.7% of MOTs once results are adjusted for their age and mileage, about the national average of 72.2% and ranking 52 of 118 areas in Britain. From 225,180 tests. Corrosion items are recorded 10.6 times per 100 failures here, ranking 25 of 118 for rust.

At a glance

Pass rate, adjusted for age and mileage

72.7%adjusted · 71.6% raw225,180 tests · rank 52 of 118

Shrewsbury is 0.5 percentage points above the national pass rate once the age and mileage of its cars are accounted for. The raw figure is 71.6%; the rise after adjustment is the local fleet being older than the national mix. Cars here average 80,009 miles at test.

DVSA recorded wording

What cars fail on in Shrewsbury

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 requirements12.7%

    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 functioning9.0%

    Lamp not working explained

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

    Suspension arm bush worn explained

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

    Suspension arm bush worn explained

  6. 6.Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen7.6%

    Wiper or washer not working properly explained

  7. 7.A tyre cords visible or damaged6.9%

    Tyre ply or cord exposed, or the casing separating explained

  8. 8.A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc6.6%

    Driveshaft CV joint gaiter split or missing explained

  9. 9.A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play6.5%

    Ball joint worn explained

  10. 10.Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded6.4%

    Brake pipe corroded explained

Corrosion

10.6 corrosion items per 100 failed tests

That ranks Shrewsbury 25 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 Shrewsbury

3–5 yrsreg. 2020–202288%
6–8 yrsreg. 2017–201982%
9–11 yrsreg. 2014–201673%
12–14 yrsreg. 2011–201364%
15+ yrsreg. 2010 and earlier58%

What gets tested here

Makes most often tested in Shrewsbury

West Midlands

Other areas in West Midlands

All 118 areas ranked

Common questions

What is the MOT pass rate in Shrewsbury?
72.7% of MOT tests in the Shrewsbury postcode area (SY) 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 71.6%. That ranks Shrewsbury 52 of 118 areas in England, Scotland and Wales.
What do cars fail on most in Shrewsbury?
The item recorded most often on failed tests in Shrewsbury 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" (12.7%). Corrosion-related items are recorded 10.6 times per 100 failed tests here, which ranks 25 of 118 areas for corrosion.
Does this mean garages here are stricter or more lenient?
No. The figure describes the cars tested in Shrewsbury, 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 Shrewsbury 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 Shrewsbury 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