MOT by postcode area
MOT results in Glasgow (G)
How cars did at MOT test stations in the G 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 72.4% Great Britain 72.8%
- Against cars of the same ages −4.1 pts 99th of 118 areas
- Average age at the test 8.8 years cars aged three and over
- Tests finding a dangerous defect 8.4% Great Britain 7.3%
- Average annual mileage 6,957 miles; Great Britain 6,728
- Car MOT tests, 2025 478,466 478,623 in 2024
How do cars in Glasgow do at their MOT?
In 2025, 72.4% of the 478,466 car MOT tests at stations in the G 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 76.5% of the time, so Glasgow does 4.1 points worse than its age mix would suggest, 99th of 118 areas. In 2024 the pass rate here was 72.1%.
Pass rate by age: Glasgow vs Great Britain
Each pair of bars covers cars of the same age, so an area with older cars is compared fairly.
| Vehicle age | Glasgow | Great Britain |
|---|---|---|
| 3 years | 88.4% | 89.5% |
| 4–5 years | 85.2% | 87.6% |
| 6–7 years | 77.8% | 83.0% |
| 8–10 years | 69.3% | 75.7% |
| 11–14 years | 60.9% | 65.5% |
| 15–19 years | 56.7% | 58.0% |
| 20+ years | 65.0% | 61.0% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Most common MOT failures in Glasgow
Suspension defects appeared on 39.9% of failed tests here (Great Britain 32.4%). The most common single defect was “Coil spring: fractured or broken” (14.5% of failed tests). 49.9% 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 | 39.9% |
| Brakes | 29.9% |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 28.2% |
| Tyres | 23.2% |
| Visibility | 15.0% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 13.2% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 11.2% |
| Steering | 7.5% |
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 | 14.5% |
| Tyres: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm Tyres | 9.7% |
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick Brakes | 7.6% |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively Visibility | 7.4% |
| Suspension arms: ball joint excessively worn Suspension | 6.8% |
| Suspension arms: pin or bush excessively worn Suspension | 6.5% |
| Position lamp: not working Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 5.7% |
| Parking brake efficiency below requirements Brakes | 5.4% |
| Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction Noise, emissions and leaks | 5.3% |
| Brake discs: significantly and obviously worn Brakes | 5.0% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Cars tested most in Glasgow
The models with the most MOT tests in the G 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 | 23,962 | 64.8% |
| Ford Fiesta | 17,705 | 65.9% |
| Volkswagen Golf | 12,897 | 76.2% |
| Ford Focus | 11,789 | 70.6% |
| Volkswagen Polo | 10,342 | 66.0% |
| Vauxhall Astra | 10,048 | 66.4% |
| Nissan Qashqai | 9,056 | 71.0% |
| Renault Clio | 8,795 | 56.8% |
| Audi A3 | 7,270 | 78.9% |
| Mercedes-Benz A-Class | 6,852 | 79.0% |
Areas ranked near Glasgow
By pass rate against cars of the same ages. All 118 postcode areas.
| Rank | Area | Pass rate | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 96 | Bath (BA) | 67.7% | −3.6 pts |
| 97 | Hull (HU) | 69.5% | −3.9 pts |
| 98 | Blackpool (FY) | 68.5% | −4.1 pts |
| 99 | Glasgow (G) | 72.4% | −4.1 pts |
| 100 | Truro (TR) | 66.5% | −4.1 pts |
| 101 | Cardiff (CF) | 69.1% | −4.1 pts |
| 102 | Lincoln (LN) | 68.6% | −4.1 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 | 478,466 car MOT tests in the G area | 15 September 2026 |
- Normal MOT tests of cars aged three and over at test stations in the G 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 G area covers more than Glasgow 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.