MOT by postcode area
MOT results in Inverness (IV)
How cars did at MOT test stations in the IV 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 71.9% Great Britain 72.8%
- Against cars of the same ages −3.2 pts 93rd of 118 areas
- Average age at the test 9.5 years cars aged three and over
- Tests finding a dangerous defect 6.3% Great Britain 7.3%
- Average annual mileage 7,580 miles; Great Britain 6,728
- Car MOT tests, 2025 117,571 119,075 in 2024
How do cars in Inverness do at their MOT?
In 2025, 71.9% of the 117,571 car MOT tests at stations in the IV postcode area were passed first time, against 72.8% across Great Britain. The cars tested here averaged 9.5 years old; with that mix of ages, cars across Great Britain pass 75.1% of the time, so Inverness does 3.2 points worse than its age mix would suggest, 93rd of 118 areas. In 2024 the pass rate here was 70.8%.
Pass rate by age: Inverness vs Great Britain
Each pair of bars covers cars of the same age, so an area with older cars is compared fairly.
| Vehicle age | Inverness | Great Britain |
|---|---|---|
| 3 years | 90.8% | 89.5% |
| 4–5 years | 88.0% | 87.6% |
| 6–7 years | 81.4% | 83.0% |
| 8–10 years | 71.4% | 75.7% |
| 11–14 years | 59.7% | 65.5% |
| 15–19 years | 52.1% | 58.0% |
| 20+ years | 60.2% | 61.0% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Most common MOT failures in Inverness
Suspension defects appeared on 41.1% of failed tests here (Great Britain 32.4%). The most common single defect was “Coil spring: fractured or broken” (16.0% of failed tests). 55.1% 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 | 41.1% |
| Brakes | 32.0% |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 26.8% |
| Tyres | 16.9% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 15.6% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 12.9% |
| Visibility | 10.3% |
| 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 | 16.0% |
| Parking brake efficiency below requirements Brakes | 7.1% |
| Suspension arms: ball joint excessively worn Suspension | 6.5% |
| Tyres: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm Tyres | 6.2% |
| Drive shafts: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt Body, chassis, structure | 6.0% |
| Suspension arms: pin or bush excessively worn Suspension | 5.4% |
| Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play Steering | 5.3% |
| Service brake performance: excessively binding Brakes | 5.2% |
| Exhaust system: major leak of exhaust gases Body, chassis, structure | 5.1% |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively Visibility | 4.8% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Cars tested most in Inverness
The models with the most MOT tests in the IV 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Ford Fiesta | 4,423 | 64.4% |
| Volkswagen Golf | 4,188 | 77.6% |
| Vauxhall Corsa | 3,407 | 62.9% |
| Ford Focus | 3,247 | 70.6% |
| Volkswagen Polo | 2,553 | 68.3% |
| Vauxhall Astra | 2,156 | 64.2% |
| Ford Kuga | 1,906 | 78.4% |
| Audi A3 | 1,896 | 77.2% |
| Renault Clio | 1,859 | 55.3% |
| Land Rover Discovery | 1,748 | 76.8% |
Areas ranked near Inverness
By pass rate against cars of the same ages. All 118 postcode areas.
| Rank | Area | Pass rate | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90 | Torquay (TQ) | 66.8% | −2.9 pts |
| 91 | Huddersfield (HD) | 71.4% | −3.0 pts |
| 92 | Newport (NP) | 69.5% | −3.1 pts |
| 93 | Inverness (IV) | 71.9% | −3.2 pts |
| 94 | Darlington (DL) | 70.4% | −3.3 pts |
| 95 | Swansea (SA) | 69.5% | −3.4 pts |
| 96 | Bath (BA) | 67.7% | −3.6 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 | 117,571 car MOT tests in the IV area | 15 September 2026 |
- Normal MOT tests of cars aged three and over at test stations in the IV 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 IV area covers more than Inverness 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.