MOT by postcode area
MOT results in Falkirk (FK)
How cars did at MOT test stations in the FK postcode area (Scotland) in 2025: pass rates against cars of the same ages, what fails most often, how far cars here are driven and the models tested most.
- MOT first-time pass rate, 2025 70.9% Great Britain 72.8%
- Against cars of the same ages −5.7 pts 112th of 118 areas
- Average age at the test 8.8 years cars aged three and over
- Tests finding a dangerous defect 7.2% Great Britain 7.3%
- Average annual mileage 7,418 miles; Great Britain 6,728
- Car MOT tests, 2025 127,595 130,800 in 2024
How do cars in Falkirk do at their MOT?
In 2025, 70.9% of the 127,595 car MOT tests at stations in the FK postcode area were passed first time, against 72.8% across Great Britain. The cars tested here averaged 8.8 years old; with that mix of ages, cars across Great Britain pass 76.6% of the time, so Falkirk does 5.7 points worse than its age mix would suggest, 112th of 118 areas. In 2024 the pass rate here was 70.7%.
Pass rate by age: Falkirk vs Great Britain
Each pair of bars covers cars of the same age, so an area with older cars is compared fairly.
| Vehicle age | Falkirk | Great Britain |
|---|---|---|
| 3 years | 89.1% | 89.5% |
| 4–5 years | 85.8% | 87.6% |
| 6–7 years | 78.9% | 83.0% |
| 8–10 years | 68.0% | 75.7% |
| 11–14 years | 56.0% | 65.5% |
| 15–19 years | 49.5% | 58.0% |
| 20+ years | 59.2% | 61.0% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Most common MOT failures in Falkirk
Suspension defects appeared on 39.1% of failed tests here (Great Britain 32.4%). The most common single defect was “Coil spring: fractured or broken” (14.4% of failed tests). 55.8% of tests ended with at least one advisory (Great Britain 51.9%).
Failure categories
The marker shows the share across Great Britain.
| Category | Share of failed tests |
|---|---|
| Suspension | 39.1% |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 28.8% |
| Brakes | 27.8% |
| Tyres | 21.5% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 13.5% |
| Visibility | 13.5% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 11.7% |
| Steering | 8.5% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Most common defects
Share of failed tests with each defect.
| Defect | Share of failed tests |
|---|---|
| Coil spring: fractured or broken Suspension | 14.4% |
| Tyres: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm Tyres | 6.8% |
| Suspension arms: ball joint excessively worn Suspension | 6.8% |
| Parking brake efficiency below requirements Brakes | 6.6% |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively Visibility | 6.5% |
| Drive shafts: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt Body, chassis, structure | 5.1% |
| Position lamp: not working Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 5.1% |
| Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play Steering | 4.9% |
| Tyres: cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords Tyres | 4.8% |
| Tyres: ply or cords exposed Tyres | 4.8% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Cars tested most in Falkirk
The models with the most MOT tests in the FK postcode area in 2025, and how often they passed first time here and across Great Britain. A model’s pass rate depends on the ages of the cars tested, which differ between areas.
| Model | Tests here | Pass rate here |
|---|---|---|
| Vauxhall Corsa | 5,547 | 61.8% |
| Ford Fiesta | 5,132 | 64.0% |
| Ford Focus | 3,236 | 67.9% |
| Volkswagen Golf | 3,003 | 75.2% |
| Vauxhall Astra | 2,413 | 64.2% |
| Renault Clio | 2,317 | 53.0% |
| Volkswagen Polo | 2,239 | 64.1% |
| Nissan Qashqai | 2,015 | 72.0% |
| MINI Cooper | 2,010 | 83.0% |
| Audi A3 | 1,827 | 76.3% |
Areas ranked near Falkirk
By pass rate against cars of the same ages. All 118 postcode areas.
| Rank | Area | Pass rate | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 109 | Perth (PH) | 70.6% | −5.1 pts |
| 110 | Edinburgh (EH) | 70.3% | −5.3 pts |
| 111 | Bristol (BS) | 66.6% | −5.3 pts |
| 112 | Falkirk (FK) | 70.9% | −5.7 pts |
| 113 | Motherwell (ML) | 71.1% | −5.9 pts |
| 114 | Lerwick (ZE) | 70.2% | −6.1 pts |
| 115 | Paisley (PA) | 70.0% | −6.3 pts |
Data sources and methodology
| Figures | Source | Period | Records | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MOT results | Anonymised MOT tests and results Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency Derived statistics UK Motoring | 2025 | 127,595 car MOT tests in the FK area | 15 September 2026 |
- Normal MOT tests of cars aged three and over at test stations in the FK postcode area in 2025; retests are excluded.
- The area is where the test station is, not where the car is kept. Most people use a station near home or work, but not all.
- Postcode area names are Royal Mail’s. The FK area covers more than Falkirk itself.
- Same ages: what all cars in Great Britain would score with this area’s mix of ages, in seven age bands.
- Annual mileage comes from consecutive MOT odometer readings of the same car, 300 to 430 days apart.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.