MOT pass rates in Kirkwall

27,960 cars took a first MOT at test centres in the KW postcode area in 2025. The KW postcode area covers Kirkwall and the towns around it — Wick and Thurso among them. How the cars did, what they failed on, and what the area drives — computed from the official DVSA record. Figures describe tests done in this area, wherever the cars live.

Pass rate 2025
71.2%
1.1 points below the class-4 average (72.3%); reflects the mix of cars tested here
Tests analysed
27,960
first tests, 2025
Average car age at test
10.4 yrs
national average 10.7 yrs
Arrived with a dangerous fault
7.5%
of KW-area first tests; national 7.3%

How Kirkwall compares

Ranks and comparisons cover the 116 postcode areas with 20,000 or more first tests in 2025 — the full field at that floor; DVSA merges its smallest areas into one shared code, which is excluded. Location is always the test centre's postcode area, not where any car is kept. Ranks are unadjusted for the age and mix of each area's fleet — they say where an area sits, not why. Areas are often separated by a fraction of a year or a fraction of a point: each rank is exact on the data, but neighbouring ranks can be effectively level.

Pass rate rank
#69 highest
71.2% of first tests passed, of the 116 areas
Fleet age
#70 oldest
average 10.4 yrs at test, of the 116 areas
Electric share
#53 highest
2.0% of first tests were electric cars, of the 116 areas
Tests done
#116 busiest
27,960 first tests in 2025, of the 116 areas

The area's signature make

Of the twelve most-tested makes at KW-area test centres, Peugeot is the one tested furthest above its national share: 6.1% of KW-area first tests against 4.2% of tests nationally — 1.4 times its national rate. That is a fact about what the area drives, not a claim about the make.

Kirkwall and its neighbours

Kirkwall and one neighbouring postcode area, 2025. Pass rates are unadjusted for fleet age and mix.

AreaFirst tests Pass rateAvg ageElectric
KW (Kirkwall)27,96071.2%10.4 yrs2.0%
IV (Inverness)143,02171.0%9.6 yrs1.5%

Pass rate by car age — KW area vs national

First-time pass rate by vehicle age, 2025.

Kirkwall (KW) areaAll of Britain
50%60%70%80%90%100%3579111315171920Vehicle age (years)KW area, vehicle age 3: 90.8%KW area, vehicle age 4: 87.5%KW area, vehicle age 5: 86%KW area, vehicle age 6: 82.5%KW area, vehicle age 7: 79.4%KW area, vehicle age 8: 75.4%KW area, vehicle age 9: 72%KW area, vehicle age 10: 68%KW area, vehicle age 11: 65.8%KW area, vehicle age 12: 63.1%KW area, vehicle age 13: 60.8%KW area, vehicle age 14: 59.5%KW area, vehicle age 15: 56.5%KW area, vehicle age 16: 61%KW area, vehicle age 17: 56.2%KW area, vehicle age 18: 60.1%All of Britain, vehicle age 3: 88.5%All of Britain, vehicle age 4: 87.2%All of Britain, vehicle age 5: 86%All of Britain, vehicle age 6: 83.5%All of Britain, vehicle age 7: 80.9%All of Britain, vehicle age 8: 78.2%All of Britain, vehicle age 9: 74.9%All of Britain, vehicle age 10: 71.9%All of Britain, vehicle age 11: 68.6%All of Britain, vehicle age 12: 65.8%All of Britain, vehicle age 13: 63.5%All of Britain, vehicle age 14: 61.2%All of Britain, vehicle age 15: 59.3%All of Britain, vehicle age 16: 58.3%All of Britain, vehicle age 17: 57.2%All of Britain, vehicle age 18: 57.4%All of Britain, vehicle age 19: 57%All of Britain, vehicle age 20: 57.6%KW area 60.1%All of Britain 57.6%
View this chart as a table
Age (years)KW area testsKW area pass rateAll cars
31,25890.8%88.5%
41,45487.5%87.2%
51,46986.0%86.0%
62,25182.5%83.5%
72,32679.4%80.9%
82,32175.4%78.2%
92,48472.0%74.9%
102,39168.0%71.9%
112,22865.8%68.6%
121,77663.1%65.8%
131,51160.8%63.5%
141,29459.5%61.2%
151,13456.5%59.3%
1685161.0%58.3%
1773056.2%57.2%
1856260.1%57.4%

Better or worse than the national average?

The KW area's pass rate minus the national pass rate at each car age, in percentage points. Bars above zero: KW-area tests beat the national average for that age. Below zero: they trail.

KW area aheadKW area behind
-4-2+0+2+4Age 3: +2.3 points vs the average car3Age 4: +0.3 points vs the average carAge 5: +0.0 points vs the average car5Age 6: -1.0 points vs the average carAge 7: -1.5 points vs the average car7Age 8: -2.8 points vs the average carAge 9: -2.9 points vs the average car9Age 10: -3.9 points vs the average carAge 11: -2.8 points vs the average car11Age 12: -2.7 points vs the average carAge 13: -2.7 points vs the average car13Age 14: -1.7 points vs the average carAge 15: -2.8 points vs the average car15Age 16: +2.7 points vs the average carAge 17: -1.0 points vs the average car17Age 18: +2.7 points vs the average carVehicle age (years)
View this chart as a table
Age (years)Gap (points)
3+2.3
4+0.3
5+0.0
6-1.0
7-1.5
8-2.8
9-2.9
10-3.9
11-2.8
12-2.7
13-2.7
14-1.7
15-2.8
16+2.7
17-1.0
18+2.7

The cars tested around Kirkwall, by age

How many cars of each age took a first MOT at KW-area test centres in 2025 — the age profile of what the area actually drives.

07501k2k3kAge 3: 1k3Age 4: 1kAge 5: 1k5Age 6: 2kAge 7: 2k7Age 8: 2kAge 9: 2k9Age 10: 2kAge 11: 2k11Age 12: 1kAge 13: 1k13Age 14: 1kAge 15: 1k15Age 16: 851Age 17: 73017Age 18: 56218Vehicle age (years)
View this chart as a table
Age (years)First tests
31,258
41,454
51,469
62,251
72,326
82,321
92,484
102,391
112,228
121,776
131,511
141,294
151,134
16851
17730
18562

What cars fail on around Kirkwall

Where the failure items land for tests done in the KW area, 2025.

Brakes25.4%
Suspension20.5%
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment18.0%
Tyres10.1%
Noise, emissions and leaks7.5%
Body, chassis, structure7.5%
Visibility5.6%
Steering3.6%

Share of all failure items, 2025 — the 8 biggest categories shown (98.2% of the items); smaller categories are not listed.

The advisories to watch

Where testers most often write "keep an eye on this" in the KW area, 2025 — the faults in the post.

Brakes: 38.4% of advisories38.4%Suspension: 24.2% of advisories24.2%Tyres: 21.5% of advisories21.5%Body, chassis, structure: 5.2% of advisoriesNon-component advisories: 3.3% of advisoriesNoise, emissions and leaks: 2.6% of advisories
BrakesSuspensionTyresBody, chassis, structureNon-component advisoriesNoise, emissions and leaks
View this chart as a table
CategoryShare of advisories
Brakes38.4%
Suspension24.2%
Tyres21.5%
Body, chassis, structure5.2%
Non-component advisories3.3%
Noise, emissions and leaks2.6%

Petrol, diesel, hybrid or electric?

First-time pass rate for the four most-tested fuel types in the KW area, 2025, against the national all-cars average. Fleet ages differ by fuel — newer fleets help the electrified bars.

50%60%70%80%90%100%all cars 72.3%Diesel: 69.0% of 15,665 tests69.0%Diesel15,665 testsPetrol: 72.9% of 11,122 tests72.9%Petrol11,122 testsElectric: 81.8% of 572 tests81.8%Electric572 testsHybrid electric: 88.2% of 525 tests88.2%Hybrid525 tests
View this chart as a table
FuelTestsPass rate
Diesel15,66569.0%
Petrol11,12272.9%
Electric57281.8%
Hybrid electric52588.2%

What mileage is normal around Kirkwall?

Mileage recorded at test by vehicle age, KW-area tests, 2025. The line is the typical (median) car; the shaded band holds the middle half.

Typical car, KW area (median)
0k25k50k75k100k125k150k35791113151718Vehicle age (years)Age 3: typical 21,250 miles (middle half 13,750–31,250)Age 4: typical 31,250 miles (middle half 21,250–41,250)Age 5: typical 38,750 miles (middle half 26,250–51,250)Age 6: typical 43,750 miles (middle half 31,250–58,750)Age 7: typical 51,250 miles (middle half 36,250–68,750)Age 8: typical 61,250 miles (middle half 43,750–78,750)Age 9: typical 66,250 miles (middle half 48,750–86,250)Age 10: typical 73,750 miles (middle half 53,750–96,250)Age 11: typical 78,750 miles (middle half 58,750–103,750)Age 12: typical 86,250 miles (middle half 63,750–108,750)Age 13: typical 93,750 miles (middle half 71,250–118,750)Age 14: typical 98,750 miles (middle half 73,750–126,250)Age 15: typical 101,250 miles (middle half 76,250–131,250)Age 16: typical 103,750 miles (middle half 76,250–131,250)Age 17: typical 108,750 miles (middle half 81,250–138,750)Age 18: typical 113,750 miles (middle half 83,750–141,250)113k mi

Mileage values are midpoints of 2,500-mile bands.

View this chart as a table
Age (years)Lower quarterTypical (median)Upper quarter
313,75021,25031,250
421,25031,25041,250
526,25038,75051,250
631,25043,75058,750
736,25051,25068,750
843,75061,25078,750
948,75066,25086,250
1053,75073,75096,250
1158,75078,750103,750
1263,75086,250108,750
1371,25093,750118,750
1473,75098,750126,250
1576,250101,250131,250
1676,250103,750131,250
1781,250108,750138,750
1883,750113,750141,250

What the KW area drives

The 12 most-tested makes at KW-area test centres, 2025, ordered by how many were tested — not a pass-rate league. Pass rates are unadjusted for fleet age: a make whose cars round here run older sits lower for that reason alone.

MakeTests 2025 Pass rate
Ford4,72070.5%
Volkswagen3,28773.5%
Vauxhall2,98566.3%
Peugeot1,69569.5%
Nissan1,26367.3%
Audi1,25776.5%
Renault1,03260.4%
Toyota97372.1%
Citroen88564.9%
BMW84277.4%
Land Rover84272.7%
Skoda83376.6%

MOT test centres in the KW area

33 DVSA-approved MOT test stations across the KW postcode area, 30 of them approved for cars (class 4). Grouped by town, largest first. Classes: 1–2 motorcycles, 3 three-wheelers, 4 cars and small vans, 5 minibuses, 7 vans 3,000–3,500 kg.

CentreAddressPhoneClasses
Kirkwall — 8 centres
Bayview GarageScotts Road, Hatston Industrial Estate, KW15 1GR01856 8796014
Colin Gregg CarsPlot 2, Grainshore Drive, Hatston Industrial Estate, KW15 1RE01856 8709004
Dr D's Bike SurgeryCraigfield Road, St Ola, KW15 1TB01856 8783131, 2
James David DearnessMarness Garage, St Ola, KW15 1SF01856 8744624
Jt Motors OrkneyManse Road, KW15 1BS01856 8737504
Orkney MotorsGrainshore Road, KW15 1RH01856 8730824, 5, 7
The Pit StopCrowness Crescent, Hatston Industrial Estate, KW15 1GJ01856 8766674
W R Tullock And Sons LtdCastle Garage, Castle Street, KW15 1HD01856 8762624
Thurso — 7 centres
A & L MotorsCastletown, KW14 8TU01847 8214014
C Sutherland And SonThe Garage, Reay, KW14 7RE01847 8113031, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7
Meiklejohn's Garage49 Barrock Street, KW14 7DG01847 8902571, 2, 4
Ormlie Garage LtdOrmlie Garage Ltd, 7d Ormlie Industrial Estate, KW14 7QU01847 8910104, 5, 7
Riverside Garage ThursoSir Archibald Road, KW14 8HN01847 8920024
Thurso Tyre Centre LtdWilson Street, KW14 8AQ01847 8966004
William Dunnet And Co LtdMansons Lane, KW14 8EW01847 8931014
Orkney — 4 centres
Blue Star GarageNorth End Road, Stromness, KW16 3AG01856 8508504
Essons Garage LtdEsson's Garage, Finstown, KW17 2EQ01856 7612774, 7
Isbister Bros LimitedQuoyloo, Stromness, KW16 3LT01856 8415254, 5, 7
Lawrence A SmithLawrona, Burray, KW17 2SS01856 7312314
Caithness — 3 centres
Autoquip MotorsUnit 16b, Airport Industrial Estate, Wick, KW1 4QS01955 6092144
Francis Street Service StationFrancis Street, Wick, KW1 5PZ01955 6044444, 5, 7
John Elder And SonsMarkethill, Dunbeath, KW6 6EJ01593 7312604
Stromness — 3 centres
Block Works GarageQuholm, KW16 3LL01856 8508804, 7
C S Omand Garage10 Garson Place, KW16 3EE01856 8504034
Firm Of K R GarriochAnnandale, KW16 3HS01856 8509254
Wick — 3 centres
Ams Motorcycles20 Coach Road, KW1 4HA01955 6035501, 2
Halfords Autocentre16a Airport Industrial Estate, KW1 4QS01955 6044104
Richards Garage19 Francis Street, KW1 5PZ01955 6041231, 2, 4
Brora — 1 centre
Sutherland Arms Garage LtdVictoria Road, KW9 6QN01408 6217214, 5, 7
Halkirk — 1 centre
J & G Sutherland And Spraytech LtdCrescent Street, KW12 6XN01847 8312083
Helmsdale — 1 centre
Lsh Transport LimitedShore Garage, Shore Street, KW8 6JS01431 8212084, 5, 7
Kinbrace — 1 centre
Kinbrace Garage LtdThe Garage, KW11 6UB01431 8312511, 2, 4, 7
Sutherland — 1 centre
Victoria Garage And Filling StationVictoria Road, Brora, KW9 6LN01408 6214563, 4

Source: DVSA Active MOT test stations (Open Government Licence v3.0), release of 26 February 2026. Listing here means DVSA approves the station for the classes shown; it is not a recommendation, and we publish no per-garage pass rates. Some stations are sole traders, so an address may be a home address — we show it because DVSA publishes it as the approved test site. Run a test station and want your entry corrected or removed? Email [email protected] and we will act within 7 days.

How these figures are computed. Every number on this page is calculated by SortedCars from the DVSA anonymised MOT results dataset (every MOT test in Great Britain — 2025 for single-year figures; trend figures state their span, currently 2023–2025). Where a figure comes from a sample or uses banded values (mileage is banded to 2,500 miles), the page says so beside the figure. Test class 4 only, first tests only — retests are excluded. Class 4 is the car MOT class and also covers car-derived vans, pickups and motorhomes tested to the same standard; where this page says "cars" it means class 4. Pass rate = passes ÷ (passes + failures + pass-after-rectification): a vehicle that failed and was fixed during the visit counts as a fail. Pass rates describe fleets, not individual machines: they reflect how cars were driven, maintained and used as well as how they were built, and beyond recorded mileage none of that is in the data. A well-kept example of a model with a weak average can still pass; a neglected example of a strong one can still fail. No figure is shown for any group with fewer than 500 tests. Location is the test centre's postcode area, not where any car is kept. Alias spellings of a make in the DVSA file are counted under one make name, using SortedCars' grouping tables. “Dangerous” is DVSA's statutory defect category (in force since May 2018): a defect posing an immediate risk to road safety — driving the vehicle before repair is an offence. What these figures are for. These statistics are general information about groups of vehicles. They are not advice, a valuation or a recommendation to buy, avoid or price any particular vehicle, and no decision about one car should rest on them alone — check the car itself and its own records. We take care over the calculations, but we cannot guarantee they are complete, current or free of error, and we accept no liability for loss arising from reliance on them. This does not limit any liability that cannot lawfully be limited — see our Terms & Conditions. If you believe any figure on this page is inaccurate, contact us. SortedCars is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the DVSA or DVLA. DVSA publishes the raw test records; the statistics on this page are SortedCars' own calculations from them. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.