MOT by postcode area
MOT results in Watford (WD)
How cars did at MOT test stations in the WD 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 74.4% Great Britain 72.8%
- Against cars of the same ages −0.5 pts 63rd of 118 areas
- Average age at the test 9.8 years cars aged three and over
- Tests finding a dangerous defect 6.8% Great Britain 7.3%
- Average annual mileage 6,207 miles; Great Britain 6,728
- Car MOT tests, 2025 119,841 122,174 in 2024
How do cars in Watford do at their MOT?
In 2025, 74.4% of the 119,841 car MOT tests at stations in the WD postcode area were passed first time, against 72.8% across Great Britain. The cars tested here averaged 9.8 years old; with that mix of ages, cars across Great Britain pass 74.9% of the time, so Watford is about where its age mix would put it, 63rd of 118 areas. In 2024 the pass rate here was 75.0%.
Pass rate by age: Watford vs Great Britain
Each pair of bars covers cars of the same age, so an area with older cars is compared fairly.
| Vehicle age | Watford | Great Britain |
|---|---|---|
| 3 years | 86.8% | 89.5% |
| 4–5 years | 85.6% | 87.6% |
| 6–7 years | 81.5% | 83.0% |
| 8–10 years | 75.2% | 75.7% |
| 11–14 years | 66.1% | 65.5% |
| 15–19 years | 59.3% | 58.0% |
| 20+ years | 62.1% | 61.0% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Most common MOT failures in Watford
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment defects appeared on 37.3% of failed tests here (Great Britain 36.8%). The most common single defect was “Tyres: cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords” (10.1% of failed tests). 50.6% 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 | 37.3% |
| Tyres | 28.6% |
| Suspension | 25.8% |
| Brakes | 17.1% |
| Visibility | 16.1% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 10.0% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 7.7% |
| Steering | 5.1% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Most common defects
Share of failed tests with each defect.
| Defect | Share of failed tests |
|---|---|
| Tyres: cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords Tyres | 10.1% |
| Position lamp: not working Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 7.8% |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively Visibility | 7.0% |
| Tyres: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm Tyres | 6.5% |
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick Brakes | 6.4% |
| Coil spring: fractured or broken Suspension | 6.4% |
| Stop lamp: not working Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 5.9% |
| Tyres: ply or cords exposed Tyres | 5.8% |
| Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction Noise, emissions and leaks | 5.4% |
| Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 5.0% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Cars tested most in Watford
The models with the most MOT tests in the WD 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 | 4,087 | 67.3% |
| Volkswagen Golf | 3,336 | 76.1% |
| Vauxhall Corsa | 3,176 | 63.4% |
| Volkswagen Polo | 3,095 | 69.3% |
| Ford Focus | 2,689 | 66.3% |
| Toyota Yaris | 2,680 | 72.6% |
| Honda Jazz | 2,534 | 75.1% |
| Nissan Qashqai | 2,415 | 69.1% |
| BMW 3 Series | 2,183 | 74.9% |
| MINI Cooper | 2,133 | 82.0% |
Areas ranked near Watford
By pass rate against cars of the same ages. All 118 postcode areas.
| Rank | Area | Pass rate | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60 | Walsall (WS) | 72.3% | −0.3 pts |
| 61 | Preston (PR) | 73.1% | −0.4 pts |
| 62 | Llandudno (LL) | 70.8% | −0.5 pts |
| 63 | Watford (WD) | 74.4% | −0.5 pts |
| 64 | Newcastle upon Tyne (NE) | 73.5% | −0.7 pts |
| 65 | Swindon (SN) | 71.5% | −0.8 pts |
| 66 | Warrington (WA) | 73.7% | −0.8 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 | 119,841 car MOT tests in the WD area | 15 September 2026 |
- Normal MOT tests of cars aged three and over at test stations in the WD 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 WD area covers more than Watford 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.