MOT Pass Rates by Region: How Your Postcode Affects Reliability (2024 UK Data)
Your postcode might matter more than you think. A Ford Focus in London behaves differently than a Ford Focus in the Scottish Highlands.
In 8 minutes, you'll see which UK regions have the best and worst MOT pass rates—and understand why geography affects reliability.
You'll discover:
- → Which postcode areas have the highest pass rates (and why)
- → Why London consistently underperforms vs. the national average
- → How road conditions, climate, and usage patterns create regional differences
- → Whether you should adjust your buying strategy based on region
15.2%
The Pass Rate Gap Between Best and Worst UK Regions
Geography matters. Salt, potholes, short city journeys, and rural motorway miles all affect MOT outcomes.
The UK Regional MOT Landscape: Key Findings
Our analysis of 62,898 MOT tests across UK postcode areas reveals three distinct patterns:
1. Rural Areas Pass More Often
Postcode areas with lower population density (Scotland, Wales, Southwest England) consistently outperform urban areas. Why?
- Less corrosion: Lower road salt usage
- Motorway miles: Long-distance driving = less stop-start wear
- Better-maintained cars: Owners depend on their vehicles more
2. London and Urban Centers Underperform
Dense urban postcode areas (E, N, SE, SW, W) have below-average pass rates. Why?
- Short journeys: More clutch/brake wear, DPF issues on diesels
- Potholes: Suspension damage from poor road surfaces
- Parking damage: Kerb strikes, minor collisions
- Less maintenance: Many urban dwellers see cars as appliances, not investments
3. Salt Belt vs. Coastal Areas
Northern England and Scotland (heavy winter gritting) show more corrosion-related failures than southern England. But Scottish pass rates are still higher because of motorway usage and lower congestion.
Top 10 Best-Performing Postcode Areas (2024)
| Rank | Postcode Area | Region | Pass Rate | Tests (n) | Why They Pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | AB | Aberdeen | 81.4% | 892 | Motorway commuting, well-maintained fleets, lower congestion |
| 2 | IV | Inverness | 80.1% | 354 | Rural area, long-distance driving, less road salt |
| 3 | TR | Truro | 79.8% | 276 | Coastal, mild climate, fewer potholes, older careful drivers |
| 4 | EX | Exeter | 78.9% | 541 | Southwest, less salt, mixed motorway/rural driving |
| 5 | CA | Carlisle | 78.3% | 318 | Motorway corridor (M6), lower urban density |
| 6 | GL | Gloucester | 77.6% | 429 | Rural/suburban mix, motorway access (M5) |
| 7 | SA | Swansea | 77.2% | 383 | Welsh coast, moderate climate, less congestion |
| 8 | DT | Dorchester | 76.9% | 201 | Rural Dorset, older demographic = careful owners |
| 9 | TA | Taunton | 76.5% | 312 | Somerset, rural roads, less wear from traffic |
| 10 | PO | Portsmouth | 76.1% | 704 | Coastal city, but good motorway links (M27/M3) |
Common Traits of High-Pass Regions:
- Lower population density
- Motorway access (long-distance commuting)
- Moderate climate (less freeze-thaw cycle stress)
- Older demographic (more careful maintenance)
Bottom 10 Worst-Performing Postcode Areas (2024)
| Rank | Postcode Area | Region | Pass Rate | Tests (n) | Why They Fail |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | N | North London | 66.2% | 1,024 | Dense urban, short journeys, potholes, parking damage |
| 2 | E | East London | 67.8% | 1,891 | High congestion, stop-start traffic, clutch/brake wear |
| 3 | SE | Southeast London | 68.3% | 1,456 | Urban density, kerb damage, DPF issues (diesels) |
| 4 | M | Manchester | 68.9% | 1,632 | Heavy traffic, potholes, salt corrosion (winter gritting) |
| 5 | B | Birmingham | 69.4% | 1,287 | Urban wear, poor road surfaces, high mileage taxis |
| 6 | WV | Wolverhampton | 69.7% | 453 | Industrial area, older vehicle stock, salt corrosion |
| 7 | L | Liverpool | 70.1% | 876 | Coastal salt + road salt, urban congestion |
| 8 | LS | Leeds | 70.5% | 912 | Urban density, potholes, salt (Yorkshire winters) |
| 9 | S | Sheffield | 70.8% | 734 | Hilly terrain = more clutch/brake wear, salt |
| 10 | NE | Newcastle | 71.2% | 658 | Salt corrosion, industrial history, older vehicle stock |
Common Traits of Low-Pass Regions:
- High population density
- Heavy congestion (stop-start driving)
- Poor road surfaces (pothole damage)
- Salt exposure (coastal + winter gritting)
- Higher proportion of diesels (DPF issues in cities)
Why Does Geography Matter for MOT Pass Rates?
1. Road Salt = Corrosion
Winter gritting accelerates rust on:
- Brake discs and calipers
- Exhaust systems
- Suspension components
- Underbody chassis
Regions affected: Northern England (LS, NE, M), Scotland (but offset by motorway use), Midlands (B, WV).
Buyer's Note:
Cars from northern postcodes should have their underside inspected for rust. Check:
- Rear subframe (Ford Focus, Vauxhall Corsa)
- Sills and wheel arches (all cars)
- Brake caliper seizing (check for uneven braking)
2. Short Journeys = More Wear
Urban areas (E, N, SE, M, B) have higher failure rates because:
- Clutches wear faster (constant stop-start)
- Brakes wear faster (heavy traffic)
- DPFs clog (diesels don't reach regeneration temperature)
- Engines don't reach optimal temperature (oil contamination)
Buyer's Note:
A diesel from inner London (E, N, SE) is higher risk than a diesel from rural Scotland (AB, IV) because of DPF issues. Check MOT history for "emissions" advisories.
3. Potholes = Suspension Damage
Urban regions with poor road surfaces (M, B, E, SE) show higher rates of:
- Worn suspension bushes
- Damaged shock absorbers
- Wheel bearing failure
- Steering rack wear
Buyer's Note:
Test-drive any urban car on rough roads and listen for:
- Clunking (worn bushes)
- Knocking (damaged shocks)
- Steering vibration (wheel bearings)
4. Parking Stress = Kerb Damage
Dense urban areas (especially London: E, N, SE, SW, W) have more:
- Kerb-struck alloy wheels
- Damaged sidewalls (tyres)
- Minor front/rear bumper damage
- Scratches and dents
Buyer's Note:
Inspect wheels carefully on urban cars. Kerb damage can indicate:
- Suspension misalignment
- Weakened tyre structure (risk of blowout)
- Careless ownership (lack of maintenance)
5. Motorway Miles = Better Reliability
Rural and motorway-adjacent regions (AB, CA, EX, PO) benefit from:
- Consistent engine temperature (less wear)
- Fewer gear changes (less clutch/transmission wear)
- Lower brake use (less brake wear)
- DPF regeneration (diesels run hot enough)
Buyer's Note:
A car with 100,000 motorway miles from Aberdeen (AB) can be more reliable than a car with 60,000 city miles from Birmingham (B).
Should You Adjust Your Buying Strategy by Region?
✅ Buying from High-Pass Regions (AB, IV, TR, EX)
Advantages:
- Lower corrosion risk
- Better-maintained cars (motorway use, less wear)
- Fewer suspension issues
What to Check:
- Still inspect for rust (salt is everywhere)
- Verify service history (motorway miles still need servicing)
❌ Buying from Low-Pass Regions (N, E, SE, M, B)
Risks:
- Higher corrosion (salt + coastal exposure)
- More suspension wear (potholes)
- DPF issues (if diesel)
- Clutch/brake wear (stop-start traffic)
What to Check:
- Mandatory: Underside rust inspection (sills, subframe, exhaust)
- MOT history: Look for escalating advisories (e.g., corrosion, suspension)
- DPF status: On diesels, check for "emissions" advisories or warning lights
- Test drive: Listen for suspension noise, check brakes for pulling
Regional Buying Rules of Thumb:
| Your Location | Buying Strategy |
|---|---|
| Urban (London, Manchester, Birmingham) | Prioritize newer cars (<5 years), avoid high-mileage diesels, budget for suspension repairs |
| Rural (Scotland, Wales, Southwest) | High-mileage motorway cars are fine, still check rust, verify service history |
| Coastal (Brighton, Liverpool, Portsmouth) | Rust inspection mandatory, check exhaust/brake corrosion, avoid cars parked near seafront |
| Northern (Newcastle, Leeds, Sheffield) | Salt corrosion common, inspect underbody, check MOT history for rust advisories |
London MOT Myth: "London Cars Are Lemons"
Myth: Cars from London (E, N, SE, etc.) are always bad buys.
Reality: London cars have lower pass rates, but that doesn't mean they're all bad. Many factors:
- High sample size = more data, but also more neglect
- Company cars can be well-maintained (check service history)
- Short-term ownership (people move frequently) = less emotional attachment
Green Flags for London Cars:
- Full service history (FSH) from main dealer
- Low mileage relative to age (<8,000 miles/year)
- Recent MOT pass with no advisories
- Garaged (not street-parked)
Red Flags for London Cars:
- No service history
- DPF warning light (diesels)
- Kerb-damaged wheels
- Rust on exhaust/suspension
Bottom line: London cars aren't inherently bad, but you need to be more selective.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Do cars in London really fail MOT more often?
Yes. London postcode areas (N, E, SE, SW, W) have pass rates 5–7 percentage points below the national average (73.7%). This is due to short journeys, potholes, parking damage, and diesel DPF issues.
Q: Which UK region has the best MOT pass rate?
**Aberdeen (AB)** has the highest pass rate at 81.4%, followed by Inverness (IV) at 80.1%. Rural Scotland benefits from motorway driving, lower congestion, and less salt exposure.
Q: Should I avoid buying a car from Manchester or Birmingham?
Not necessarily. Urban cars from M (Manchester) and B (Birmingham) have lower pass rates, but if the car has full service history, recent MOT pass, and no corrosion advisories, it can be fine. Just inspect more carefully.
Q: Does living near the coast affect MOT pass rates?
Yes. Coastal areas (L for Liverpool, PO for Portsmouth) have higher corrosion risk from salt spray. However, **Portsmouth (PO)** still ranks in the top 10 because of motorway access. Check exhaust and underbody rust carefully.
Q: Why do rural areas have higher pass rates?
Rural areas benefit from: - Motorway miles (less wear) - Lower salt usage - Less congestion (fewer potholes) - Older, more careful owners
Q: Are cars from Scotland more reliable?
Scottish cars have higher pass rates despite salt exposure because: - Motorway commuting (AB, IV) - Lower congestion - Better-maintained roads outside cities But they still have rust risk—inspect the underbody.
Q: Should I pay more for a car from a high-pass region?
Not necessarily. Pass rates reflect *averages*, not individual cars. A well-maintained car from Manchester (68.9%) can be better than a neglected car from Aberdeen (81.4%). Focus on service history and condition, not just postcode.
Q: Do diesels fail more often in cities?
Yes. Urban diesels (especially in London: N, E, SE) have DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter) issues because short journeys don't allow regeneration. Check MOT history for "emissions" advisories.
Methodology Note
Regional pass rates derived from **62,898 MOT tests** across UK postcode areas in 2024 (DVSA anonymized dataset). Only postcode areas with **n ≥ 100 tests** included to ensure statistical validity. Pass rate = proportion of tests with result "pass" (p). Regional patterns analyzed by population density, climate, road quality, and vehicle usage types. See full methodology on our About Data page.