MOT by postcode area
MOT results in Taunton (TA)
How cars did at MOT test stations in the TA 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 68.3% Great Britain 72.8%
- Against cars of the same ages −1.9 pts 81st of 118 areas
- Average age at the test 12.0 years cars aged three and over
- Tests finding a dangerous defect 7.9% Great Britain 7.3%
- Average annual mileage 6,761 miles; Great Britain 6,728
- Car MOT tests, 2025 181,164 178,099 in 2024
How do cars in Taunton do at their MOT?
In 2025, 68.3% of the 181,164 car MOT tests at stations in the TA postcode area were passed first time, against 72.8% across Great Britain. The cars tested here averaged 12.0 years old; with that mix of ages, cars across Great Britain pass 70.2% of the time, so Taunton does 1.9 points worse than its age mix would suggest, 81st of 118 areas. In 2024 the pass rate here was 68.4%.
Pass rate by age: Taunton vs Great Britain
Each pair of bars covers cars of the same age, so an area with older cars is compared fairly.
| Vehicle age | Taunton | Great Britain |
|---|---|---|
| 3 years | 90.2% | 89.5% |
| 4–5 years | 88.4% | 87.6% |
| 6–7 years | 84.6% | 83.0% |
| 8–10 years | 76.0% | 75.7% |
| 11–14 years | 64.1% | 65.5% |
| 15–19 years | 52.4% | 58.0% |
| 20+ years | 52.9% | 61.0% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Most common MOT failures in Taunton
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” (9.4% of failed tests). 56.9% 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 | 35.4% |
| Tyres | 22.4% |
| Brakes | 20.5% |
| Visibility | 15.4% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 12.0% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 11.6% |
| Steering | 7.8% |
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 | 9.4% |
| Tyres: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm Tyres | 8.1% |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively Visibility | 7.2% |
| Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 6.4% |
| Stop lamp: not working Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 6.2% |
| Coil spring: fractured or broken Suspension | 6.0% |
| Suspension arms: ball joint excessively worn Suspension | 5.8% |
| Tyres: ply or cords exposed Tyres | 5.5% |
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick Brakes | 5.4% |
| Suspension arms: pin or bush excessively worn Suspension | 5.1% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Cars tested most in Taunton
The models with the most MOT tests in the TA 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 | 8,904 | 60.8% |
| Volkswagen Golf | 6,148 | 69.6% |
| Ford Focus | 6,112 | 61.1% |
| Volkswagen Polo | 4,036 | 60.5% |
| Vauxhall Corsa | 4,007 | 61.1% |
| Nissan Qashqai | 3,755 | 65.1% |
| Vauxhall Astra | 3,496 | 61.2% |
| BMW 3 Series | 2,883 | 67.4% |
| Audi A3 | 2,802 | 69.7% |
| Land Rover Discovery | 2,766 | 72.1% |
Areas ranked near Taunton
By pass rate against cars of the same ages. All 118 postcode areas.
| Rank | Area | Pass rate | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 78 | Cleveland (TS) | 72.0% | −1.5 pts |
| 79 | Halifax (HX) | 71.2% | −1.7 pts |
| 80 | Outer Hebrides (HS) | 71.7% | −1.9 pts |
| 81 | Taunton (TA) | 68.3% | −1.9 pts |
| 82 | Northampton (NN) | 71.1% | −2.0 pts |
| 83 | Bournemouth (BH) | 68.8% | −2.2 pts |
| 84 | York (YO) | 71.2% | −2.2 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 | 181,164 car MOT tests in the TA area | 15 September 2026 |
- Normal MOT tests of cars aged three and over at test stations in the TA 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 TA area covers more than Taunton 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.