MOT by postcode area
MOT results in Manchester (M)
How cars did at MOT test stations in the M 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 73.0% Great Britain 72.8%
- Against cars of the same ages +1.1 pts 44th of 118 areas
- Average age at the test 10.8 years cars aged three and over
- Tests finding a dangerous defect 8.3% Great Britain 7.3%
- Average annual mileage 6,634 miles; Great Britain 6,728
- Car MOT tests, 2025 450,640 441,998 in 2024
How do cars in Manchester do at their MOT?
In 2025, 73.0% of the 450,640 car MOT tests at stations in the M postcode area were passed first time, against 72.8% across Great Britain. The cars tested here averaged 10.8 years old; with that mix of ages, cars across Great Britain pass 71.9% of the time, so Manchester does 1.1 points better than its age mix would suggest, 44th of 118 areas. In 2024 the pass rate here was 72.1%.
Pass rate by age: Manchester vs Great Britain
Each pair of bars covers cars of the same age, so an area with older cars is compared fairly.
| Vehicle age | Manchester | Great Britain |
|---|---|---|
| 3 years | 90.4% | 89.5% |
| 4–5 years | 88.3% | 87.6% |
| 6–7 years | 83.3% | 83.0% |
| 8–10 years | 76.6% | 75.7% |
| 11–14 years | 67.2% | 65.5% |
| 15–19 years | 59.7% | 58.0% |
| 20+ years | 62.0% | 61.0% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Most common MOT failures in Manchester
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment defects appeared on 39.3% of failed tests here (Great Britain 36.8%). The most common single defect was “Tyres: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm” (9.8% of failed tests). 49.8% 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 |
|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 39.3% |
| Suspension | 32.4% |
| Brakes | 23.4% |
| Tyres | 22.8% |
| Visibility | 16.4% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 10.8% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 10.6% |
| 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 | 9.8% |
| Coil spring: fractured or broken Suspension | 9.5% |
| Position lamp: not working Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 9.4% |
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick Brakes | 9.3% |
| Stop lamp: not working Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 8.4% |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively Visibility | 7.0% |
| Headlamp: not working on dipped beam Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 6.8% |
| Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction Noise, emissions and leaks | 5.6% |
| Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid Visibility | 5.6% |
| Suspension arms: ball joint excessively worn Suspension | 5.3% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Cars tested most in Manchester
The models with the most MOT tests in the M 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 | 18,944 | 64.9% |
| Vauxhall Corsa | 15,052 | 64.1% |
| Volkswagen Golf | 13,547 | 75.6% |
| Ford Focus | 13,255 | 68.1% |
| Toyota Yaris | 12,869 | 69.3% |
| Nissan Qashqai | 11,003 | 69.1% |
| Volkswagen Polo | 10,706 | 68.5% |
| Vauxhall Astra | 9,528 | 66.1% |
| BMW 3 Series | 8,320 | 78.0% |
| Audi A3 | 7,708 | 77.9% |
Areas ranked near Manchester
By pass rate against cars of the same ages. All 118 postcode areas.
| Rank | Area | Pass rate | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 41 | Hereford (HR) | 72.6% | +1.3 pts |
| 42 | Bolton (BL) | 75.4% | +1.2 pts |
| 43 | Oldham (OL) | 74.7% | +1.2 pts |
| 44 | Manchester (M) | 73.0% | +1.1 pts |
| 45 | Wakefield (WF) | 74.0% | +1.0 pts |
| 46 | Tonbridge (TN) | 72.7% | +0.8 pts |
| 47 | Colchester (CO) | 72.1% | +0.7 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 | 450,640 car MOT tests in the M area | 15 September 2026 |
- Normal MOT tests of cars aged three and over at test stations in the M 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 M area covers more than Manchester 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.