MOT by postcode area
MOT results in Lerwick (ZE)
How cars did at MOT test stations in the ZE 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 70.2% Great Britain 72.8%
- Against cars of the same ages −6.1 pts 114th of 118 areas
- Average age at the test 9.1 years cars aged three and over
- Tests finding a dangerous defect 9.0% Great Britain 7.3%
- Average annual mileage 6,905 miles; Great Britain 6,728
- Car MOT tests, 2025 9,288 9,287 in 2024
How do cars in Lerwick do at their MOT?
In 2025, 70.2% of the 9,288 car MOT tests at stations in the ZE postcode area were passed first time, against 72.8% across Great Britain. The cars tested here averaged 9.1 years old; with that mix of ages, cars across Great Britain pass 76.3% of the time, so Lerwick does 6.1 points worse than its age mix would suggest, 114th of 118 areas. In 2024 the pass rate here was 69.2%.
Pass rate by age: Lerwick vs Great Britain
Each pair of bars covers cars of the same age, so an area with older cars is compared fairly.
| Vehicle age | Lerwick | Great Britain |
|---|---|---|
| 3 years | 83.5% | 89.5% |
| 4–5 years | 84.3% | 87.6% |
| 6–7 years | 77.7% | 83.0% |
| 8–10 years | 67.1% | 75.7% |
| 11–14 years | 57.7% | 65.5% |
| 15–19 years | 52.0% | 58.0% |
| 20+ years | 62.6% | 61.0% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Most common MOT failures in Lerwick
Brakes defects appeared on 29.9% of failed tests here (Great Britain 21.8%). The most common single defect was “Tyres: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm” (17.4% of failed tests). 59.5% 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 |
|---|---|
| Brakes | 29.9% |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 28.7% |
| Suspension | 28.7% |
| Tyres | 24.2% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 12.8% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 11.5% |
| Visibility | 11.0% |
| Steering | 5.1% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Most common defects
Share of failed tests with each defect.
| Defect | Share of failed tests |
|---|---|
| Tyres: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm Tyres | 17.4% |
| Coil spring: fractured or broken Suspension | 10.3% |
| Headlamp aim: too low Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 6.7% |
| Service brake performance: excessively binding Brakes | 6.6% |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively Visibility | 6.5% |
| Headlamp aim: too high Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 6.0% |
| Parking brake efficiency below requirements Brakes | 5.6% |
| Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction Noise, emissions and leaks | 5.2% |
| Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded Brakes | 5.1% |
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick Brakes | 4.5% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Cars tested most in Lerwick
The models with the most MOT tests in the ZE 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Toyota Yaris | 485 | 69.9% |
| Ford Fiesta | 476 | 61.3% |
| Volkswagen Golf | 363 | 74.9% |
| Toyota Aygo | 351 | 72.1% |
| Vauxhall Corsa | 334 | 65.3% |
| Ford Focus | 245 | 64.1% |
| Volkswagen Polo | 223 | 66.4% |
| Vauxhall Astra | 185 | 68.6% |
| Audi A3 | 181 | 73.5% |
| Kia Picanto | 172 | 69.8% |
Areas ranked near Lerwick
By pass rate against cars of the same ages. All 118 postcode areas.
| Rank | Area | Pass rate | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 116 | Aberdeen (AB) | 68.6% | −7.4 pts |
| 117 | Dundee (DD) | 65.7% | −9.9 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 | 9,288 car MOT tests in the ZE area | 15 September 2026 |
- Normal MOT tests of cars aged three and over at test stations in the ZE 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 ZE area covers more than Lerwick 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.