MOT by postcode area
MOT results in Liverpool (L)
How cars did at MOT test stations in the L postcode area (England) 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 74.1% Great Britain 72.8%
- Against cars of the same ages +0.4 pts 49th of 118 areas
- Average age at the test 10.1 years cars aged three and over
- Tests finding a dangerous defect 7.5% Great Britain 7.3%
- Average annual mileage 6,408 miles; Great Britain 6,728
- Car MOT tests, 2025 323,251 320,756 in 2024
How do cars in Liverpool do at their MOT?
In 2025, 74.1% of the 323,251 car MOT tests at stations in the L postcode area were passed first time, against 72.8% across Great Britain. The cars tested here averaged 10.1 years old; with that mix of ages, cars across Great Britain pass 73.7% of the time, so Liverpool is about where its age mix would put it, 49th of 118 areas. In 2024 the pass rate here was 73.7%.
Pass rate by age: Liverpool vs Great Britain
Each pair of bars covers cars of the same age, so an area with older cars is compared fairly.
| Vehicle age | Liverpool | Great Britain |
|---|---|---|
| 3 years | 88.3% | 89.5% |
| 4–5 years | 87.0% | 87.6% |
| 6–7 years | 82.0% | 83.0% |
| 8–10 years | 75.6% | 75.7% |
| 11–14 years | 66.6% | 65.5% |
| 15–19 years | 60.5% | 58.0% |
| 20+ years | 64.0% | 61.0% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Most common MOT failures in Liverpool
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment defects appeared on 38.9% of failed tests here (Great Britain 36.8%). The most common single defect was “Tyres: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm” (9.1% of failed tests). 45.6% 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 |
|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 38.9% |
| Suspension | 29.6% |
| Tyres | 23.3% |
| Brakes | 21.1% |
| Visibility | 15.6% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 11.3% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 9.8% |
| Steering | 6.4% |
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 | 9.1% |
| Stop lamp: not working Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 8.7% |
| Position lamp: not working Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 8.7% |
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick Brakes | 8.3% |
| Coil spring: fractured or broken Suspension | 7.9% |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively Visibility | 6.6% |
| Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction Noise, emissions and leaks | 6.2% |
| Headlamp: not working on dipped beam Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 6.0% |
| Suspension arms: ball joint excessively worn Suspension | 5.5% |
| Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid Visibility | 5.2% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Cars tested most in Liverpool
The models with the most MOT tests in the L 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 | 23,765 | 67.8% |
| Ford Focus | 17,518 | 70.8% |
| Vauxhall Corsa | 10,656 | 65.9% |
| Nissan Qashqai | 7,288 | 71.5% |
| Vauxhall Astra | 6,923 | 67.9% |
| Volkswagen Golf | 6,247 | 77.1% |
| Ford Kuga | 6,202 | 81.3% |
| Volkswagen Polo | 5,076 | 70.7% |
| BMW 3 Series | 5,064 | 80.3% |
| Mercedes-Benz A-Class | 4,418 | 80.3% |
Areas ranked near Liverpool
By pass rate against cars of the same ages. All 118 postcode areas.
| Rank | Area | Pass rate | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 46 | Tonbridge (TN) | 72.7% | +0.8 pts |
| 47 | Colchester (CO) | 72.1% | +0.7 pts |
| 48 | Oxford (OX) | 72.7% | +0.5 pts |
| 49 | Liverpool (L) | 74.1% | +0.4 pts |
| 50 | Ipswich (IP) | 71.6% | +0.3 pts |
| 51 | Shrewsbury (SY) | 72.4% | +0.2 pts |
| 52 | Cambridge (CB) | 72.2% | +0.1 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 | 323,251 car MOT tests in the L area | 15 September 2026 |
- Normal MOT tests of cars aged three and over at test stations in the L 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 L area covers more than Liverpool 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.