South West · postcode area TQ
Torquay MOT pass rate
Data updated
Quick answer
Cars tested in the Torquay area pass 69.0% of MOTs once results are adjusted for their age and mileage, below the national average of 72.2% and ranking 90 of 118 areas in Britain. From 169,280 tests. Corrosion items are recorded 10.5 times per 100 failures here, ranking 27 of 118 for rust.
At a glance
Pass rate, adjusted for age and mileage
Torquay is 3.3 percentage points below the national pass rate once the age and mileage of its cars are accounted for. The raw figure is 65.5%; the rise after adjustment is the local fleet being older than the national mix. Cars here average 81,838 miles at test.
DVSA recorded wording
What cars fail on in Torquay
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.Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements14.4%
- 2.A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning11.2%
- 3.The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements9.4%
- 4.a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm9.2%
- 5.A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn8.4%
- 6.Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning7.3%
- 7.A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn7.2%
- 8.Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen7.2%
- 9.A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc7.2%
- 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 repaired6.8%
Corrosion
10.5 corrosion items per 100 failed tests
That ranks Torquay 27 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
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements31.0% of tests
- A tyre seriously damaged14.3% of tests
- Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured12.7% of tests
- A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn11.1% of tests
- a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm10.4% of tests
- Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users6.2% of tests
How wear changes the picture
Pass rate by age in Torquay
What gets tested here
Makes most often tested in Torquay
South West
Other areas in South West
- Swindon71.8% · #62
- Dorchester71.3% · #66
- Gloucester71.1% · #70
- Taunton70.9% · #75
- Bournemouth69.3% · #88
- Bath68.9% · #92
- Salisbury68.6% · #97
- Truro68.2% · #99
- Plymouth68.0% · #103
- Exeter67.7% · #106
- Bristol66.7% · #110
Common questions
- What is the MOT pass rate in Torquay?
- 69.0% of MOT tests in the Torquay postcode area (TQ) 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 65.5%. That ranks Torquay 90 of 118 areas in England, Scotland and Wales.
- What do cars fail on most in Torquay?
- The item recorded most often on failed tests in Torquay is "Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements", in 14.4% of failed tests, followed by "A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning" (11.2%). Corrosion-related items are recorded 10.5 times per 100 failed tests here, which ranks 27 of 118 areas for corrosion.
- Does this mean garages here are stricter or more lenient?
- No. The figure describes the cars tested in Torquay, 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 Torquay 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 Torquay 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