MOT by postcode area
MOT results in Southampton (SO)
How cars did at MOT test stations in the SO 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 71.7% Great Britain 72.8%
- Against cars of the same ages −0.3 pts 59th of 118 areas
- Average age at the test 11.1 years cars aged three and over
- Tests finding a dangerous defect 7.1% Great Britain 7.3%
- Average annual mileage 6,646 miles; Great Britain 6,728
- Car MOT tests, 2025 352,416 353,046 in 2024
How do cars in Southampton do at their MOT?
In 2025, 71.7% of the 352,416 car MOT tests at stations in the SO postcode area were passed first time, against 72.8% across Great Britain. The cars tested here averaged 11.1 years old; with that mix of ages, cars across Great Britain pass 72.0% of the time, so Southampton is about where its age mix would put it, 59th of 118 areas. In 2024 the pass rate here was 71.0%.
Pass rate by age: Southampton vs Great Britain
Each pair of bars covers cars of the same age, so an area with older cars is compared fairly.
| Vehicle age | Southampton | Great Britain |
|---|---|---|
| 3 years | 89.3% | 89.5% |
| 4–5 years | 87.7% | 87.6% |
| 6–7 years | 83.5% | 83.0% |
| 8–10 years | 76.2% | 75.7% |
| 11–14 years | 65.7% | 65.5% |
| 15–19 years | 56.3% | 58.0% |
| 20+ years | 57.8% | 61.0% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Most common MOT failures in Southampton
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment defects appeared on 40.3% of failed tests here (Great Britain 36.8%). The most common single defect was “Position lamp: not working” (9.1% of failed tests). 56.2% 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 | 40.3% |
| Suspension | 28.4% |
| Tyres | 25.6% |
| Brakes | 19.2% |
| Visibility | 15.2% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 10.9% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 9.5% |
| Steering | 6.2% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Most common defects
Share of failed tests with each defect.
| Defect | Share of failed tests |
|---|---|
| Position lamp: not working Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 9.1% |
| Tyres: cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords Tyres | 8.6% |
| Tyres: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm Tyres | 6.7% |
| Stop lamp: not working Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 6.6% |
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick Brakes | 6.5% |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively Visibility | 6.1% |
| Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 5.6% |
| Tyres: ply or cords exposed Tyres | 5.4% |
| Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction Noise, emissions and leaks | 5.1% |
| Coil spring: fractured or broken Suspension | 5.1% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Cars tested most in Southampton
The models with the most MOT tests in the SO 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 | 17,217 | 65.4% |
| Volkswagen Golf | 11,340 | 73.4% |
| Ford Focus | 10,977 | 64.8% |
| Vauxhall Corsa | 10,363 | 63.5% |
| Volkswagen Polo | 7,532 | 65.4% |
| Vauxhall Astra | 6,666 | 62.5% |
| Nissan Qashqai | 6,454 | 64.6% |
| BMW 3 Series | 5,853 | 71.5% |
| Honda Jazz | 5,514 | 71.8% |
| Toyota Yaris | 5,220 | 75.6% |
Areas ranked near Southampton
By pass rate against cars of the same ages. All 118 postcode areas.
| Rank | Area | Pass rate | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 56 | Telford (TF) | 72.1% | 0.0 pts |
| 57 | Doncaster (DN) | 72.7% | −0.1 pts |
| 58 | Durham (DH) | 73.9% | −0.2 pts |
| 59 | Southampton (SO) | 71.7% | −0.3 pts |
| 60 | Walsall (WS) | 72.3% | −0.3 pts |
| 61 | Preston (PR) | 73.1% | −0.4 pts |
| 62 | Llandudno (LL) | 70.8% | −0.5 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 | 352,416 car MOT tests in the SO area | 15 September 2026 |
- Normal MOT tests of cars aged three and over at test stations in the SO 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 SO area covers more than Southampton 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.