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Torquay among top 10 towns with highest rates of MOT failures
Torquay has one of the highest rates of MOT failure in the country, according to research released today (Wednesday, May 17).
A pass rate of 76.27 per cent puts Torquay in seventh place in a list of 118 places around the UK.
Also featuring in the top 10 of MOT failures is Plymouth, Exeter and Truro, with Bristol in 11th place (77.22 per cent).
Insurance broker One Sure Insurance analysed the DVLA’s MOT database to find the most common locations of MOT failure among Class 4 vehicles (cars, vans and small commercial vehicles).
Kirkcaldy, Scotland, is the place claiming the top spot on the list, with an MOT pass rate of 72.89 per cent – the lowest on the list.
In second place, Scotland again takes the spot, with Dundee having an MOT pass rate of only 73.97 per cent.
Third place goes to Truro with an MOT pass rate of just 74.57 per cent, while Plymouth takes fourth place with a pass rate of 74.76 per cent.
Back up to Scotland, in fifth place, is Aberdeen with an MOT pass rate of only 75.92 per cent.
The rest of the top ten places with the highest failure rate for MOTs feature Exeter in sixth place with a 76.22 per cent – narrowly beating Torquay in seventh place with an MOT pass rate of 76.27 per cent.
Eighth place goes to Llandrindod Wells, the only area in Wales to feature on the list (76.67 per cent).
Ninth place, but only just, goes to Perth (76.7 per cent) with Telford taking the final spot with 77.21 per cent.
The data also found that bronze-coloured cars were the most likely to pass, with a pass rate of 84.68 per cent. The most common colours of cars in for MOTs were black (80.07 per cent) and silver (77.98 per cent).
Enfield proved to have the lowest rate of MOT failure, with an 87.04 per cent pass rate.
The study also found that of the 38,155,866 MOT tests carried out on all classes of vehicles in 2021, one in five resulted in failure.
|
Rank |
Postcode area |
Fail |
Pass |
Pass rate |
Total MOTs |
|
1 |
Kirkcaldy |
63,092 |
167,199 |
72.89% |
237,130 |
|
2 |
Dundee |
44,180 |
123,476 |
73.97% |
172,626 |
|
3 |
Truro |
61,455 |
174,702 |
74.57% |
247,025 |
|
4 |
Plymouth |
104,081 |
296,051 |
74.76% |
421,558 |
|
5 |
Aberdeen |
74,862 |
232,514 |
75.92% |
317,410 |
|
6 |
Exeter |
105,789 |
324,133 |
76.22% |
453,458 |
|
7 |
Torquay |
48,649 |
150,009 |
76.27% |
208,936 |
|
8 |
Llandrindod Wells |
8,000 |
24,712 |
76.67% |
34,765 |
|
9 |
Perth |
27,034 |
87,994 |
76.70% |
118,414 |
|
10 |
Telford |
31,927 |
106,877 |
77.21% |
144,419 |
A One Sure Insurance spokesperson said: “The variations identified in the study offer valuable insights into the diverse factors that can affect MOT outcomes.
“The study serves as a reminder for motorists nationwide to remain diligent in maintaining their vehicles and prioritising regular checks to increase the likelihood of successful MOT examinations. This proactive approach contributes to ensuring road safety for all.”
For the extended results, visit
