MOT by postcode area
MOT results in West London (W)
How cars did at MOT test stations in the W 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 77.6% Great Britain 72.8%
- Against cars of the same ages +3.4 pts 21st of 118 areas
- Average age at the test 10.3 years cars aged three and over
- Tests finding a dangerous defect 5.5% Great Britain 7.3%
- Average annual mileage 5,021 miles; Great Britain 6,728
- Car MOT tests, 2025 80,724 82,193 in 2024
How do cars in West London do at their MOT?
In 2025, 77.6% of the 80,724 car MOT tests at stations in the W postcode area were passed first time, against 72.8% across Great Britain. The cars tested here averaged 10.3 years old; with that mix of ages, cars across Great Britain pass 74.2% of the time, so West London does 3.4 points better than its age mix would suggest, 21st of 118 areas. In 2024 the pass rate here was 77.0%.
Pass rate by age: West London vs Great Britain
Each pair of bars covers cars of the same age, so an area with older cars is compared fairly.
| Vehicle age | West London | Great Britain |
|---|---|---|
| 3 years | 90.8% | 89.5% |
| 4–5 years | 88.3% | 87.6% |
| 6–7 years | 83.8% | 83.0% |
| 8–10 years | 79.2% | 75.7% |
| 11–14 years | 71.4% | 65.5% |
| 15–19 years | 64.5% | 58.0% |
| 20+ years | 65.6% | 61.0% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Most common MOT failures in West London
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment defects appeared on 41.3% of failed tests here (Great Britain 36.8%). The most common single defect was “Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively” (9.2% of failed tests). 47.5% 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 | 41.3% |
| Tyres | 26.4% |
| Visibility | 20.0% |
| Suspension | 18.5% |
| Brakes | 15.5% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 10.8% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 7.9% |
| Steering | 4.2% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Most common defects
Share of failed tests with each defect.
| Defect | Share of failed tests |
|---|---|
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively Visibility | 9.2% |
| Position lamp: not working Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 8.1% |
| Stop lamp: not working Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 7.3% |
| Tyres: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm Tyres | 6.9% |
| Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction Noise, emissions and leaks | 6.9% |
| Headlamp: not working on dipped beam Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 6.7% |
| Tyres: cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords Tyres | 6.2% |
| Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid Visibility | 5.9% |
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick Brakes | 5.7% |
| Tyre pressure monitoring system: malfunctioning or obviously inoperative Tyres | 4.7% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Cars tested most in West London
The models with the most MOT tests in the W 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Volkswagen Golf | 2,982 | 73.5% |
| Volkswagen Polo | 2,305 | 65.9% |
| Honda Jazz | 2,256 | 78.9% |
| BMW 3 Series | 1,629 | 77.3% |
| Mercedes-Benz C-Class | 1,582 | 78.3% |
| Kia Niro | 1,555 | 91.6% |
| Ford Fiesta | 1,522 | 67.8% |
| Toyota Prius | 1,460 | 85.5% |
| MINI Cooper | 1,441 | 83.3% |
| Fiat 500 | 1,430 | 71.3% |
Areas ranked near West London
By pass rate against cars of the same ages. All 118 postcode areas.
| Rank | Area | Pass rate | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18 | Luton (LU) | 75.0% | +3.7 pts |
| 19 | South West London (SW) | 77.3% | +3.5 pts |
| 20 | South East London (SE) | 75.5% | +3.4 pts |
| 21 | West London (W) | 77.6% | +3.4 pts |
| 22 | Blackburn (BB) | 76.0% | +3.3 pts |
| 23 | Sheffield (S) | 75.5% | +3.0 pts |
| 24 | Hemel Hempstead (HP) | 75.6% | +2.9 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 | 80,724 car MOT tests in the W area | 15 September 2026 |
- Normal MOT tests of cars aged three and over at test stations in the W 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 W area covers more than West London 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.