MOT by postcode area
MOT results in Southend-on-Sea (SS)
How cars did at MOT test stations in the SS 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 77.0% Great Britain 72.8%
- Against cars of the same ages +4.6 pts 13th of 118 areas
- Average age at the test 11.0 years cars aged three and over
- Tests finding a dangerous defect 6.2% Great Britain 7.3%
- Average annual mileage 6,167 miles; Great Britain 6,728
- Car MOT tests, 2025 254,649 255,783 in 2024
How do cars in Southend-on-Sea do at their MOT?
In 2025, 77.0% of the 254,649 car MOT tests at stations in the SS postcode area were passed first time, against 72.8% across Great Britain. The cars tested here averaged 11.0 years old; with that mix of ages, cars across Great Britain pass 72.4% of the time, so Southend-on-Sea does 4.6 points better than its age mix would suggest, 13th of 118 areas. In 2024 the pass rate here was 76.8%.
Pass rate by age: Southend-on-Sea vs Great Britain
Each pair of bars covers cars of the same age, so an area with older cars is compared fairly.
| Vehicle age | Southend-on-Sea | Great Britain |
|---|---|---|
| 3 years | 91.0% | 89.5% |
| 4–5 years | 89.0% | 87.6% |
| 6–7 years | 84.7% | 83.0% |
| 8–10 years | 79.5% | 75.7% |
| 11–14 years | 71.5% | 65.5% |
| 15–19 years | 66.0% | 58.0% |
| 20+ years | 69.3% | 61.0% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Most common MOT failures in Southend-on-Sea
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment defects appeared on 39.7% of failed tests here (Great Britain 36.8%). The most common single defect was “Position lamp: not working” (9.3% of failed tests). 46.0% 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 | 39.7% |
| Suspension | 26.1% |
| Tyres | 24.7% |
| Brakes | 17.4% |
| Visibility | 16.4% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 10.1% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 9.3% |
| Steering | 5.4% |
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 | 9.3% |
| Stop lamp: not working Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 8.9% |
| Tyres: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm Tyres | 7.5% |
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick Brakes | 7.5% |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively Visibility | 6.5% |
| Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid Visibility | 6.4% |
| Tyres: cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords Tyres | 5.7% |
| Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction Noise, emissions and leaks | 5.6% |
| Coil spring: fractured or broken Suspension | 5.5% |
| Headlamp: not working on dipped beam Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 5.5% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Cars tested most in Southend-on-Sea
The models with the most MOT tests in the SS 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 | 22,740 | 71.3% |
| Ford Focus | 13,484 | 72.3% |
| Ford Kuga | 7,129 | 83.1% |
| Vauxhall Corsa | 6,656 | 69.5% |
| Fiat 500 | 6,124 | 73.1% |
| Nissan Qashqai | 6,078 | 74.2% |
| BMW 3 Series | 4,110 | 78.3% |
| Volkswagen Golf | 4,095 | 77.8% |
| Vauxhall Astra | 3,867 | 70.0% |
| Nissan Juke | 3,788 | 75.6% |
Areas ranked near Southend-on-Sea
By pass rate against cars of the same ages. All 118 postcode areas.
| Rank | Area | Pass rate | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | Croydon (CR) | 77.8% | +4.8 pts |
| 11 | North London (N) | 76.8% | +4.8 pts |
| 12 | East London (E) | 77.5% | +4.6 pts |
| 13 | Southend-on-Sea (SS) | 77.0% | +4.6 pts |
| 14 | Bromley (BR) | 79.5% | +4.3 pts |
| 15 | Birmingham (B) | 76.3% | +4.2 pts |
| 16 | Dartford (DA) | 77.7% | +4.1 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 | 254,649 car MOT tests in the SS area | 15 September 2026 |
- Normal MOT tests of cars aged three and over at test stations in the SS 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 SS area covers more than Southend-on-Sea 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.