MOT pass rates in Luton
219,158 cars took a first MOT at test centres in the LU postcode area in 2025. The LU postcode area covers Luton and the towns around it — Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard 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.
How Luton 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.
The area's signature make
Of the twelve most-tested makes at LU-area test centres, Vauxhall is the one tested furthest above its national share: 15.2% of LU-area first tests against 8.5% of tests nationally — 1.8 times its national rate. That is a fact about what the area drives, not a claim about the make.
Luton and its neighbours
Luton and four neighbouring postcode areas, 2025. Pass rates are unadjusted for fleet age and mix.
| Area | First tests | Pass rate | Avg age | Electric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LU (Luton) | 219,158 | 74.9% | 11.2 yrs | 2.0% |
| AL (St Albans) | 147,254 | 76.0% | 10.2 yrs | 3.1% |
| HP (Hemel Hempstead) | 321,232 | 75.3% | 10.9 yrs | 2.7% |
| MK (Milton Keynes) | 349,988 | 74.3% | 10.6 yrs | 3.6% |
| SG (Stevenage) | 243,292 | 74.2% | 10.7 yrs | 2.3% |
Pass rate by car age — LU area vs national
First-time pass rate by vehicle age, 2025.
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| Age (years) | LU area tests | LU area pass rate | All cars |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 7,482 | 88.2% | 88.5% |
| 4 | 9,138 | 88.1% | 87.2% |
| 5 | 9,487 | 87.7% | 86.0% |
| 6 | 14,222 | 85.3% | 83.5% |
| 7 | 15,457 | 84.1% | 80.9% |
| 8 | 17,179 | 81.8% | 78.2% |
| 9 | 18,346 | 79.3% | 74.9% |
| 10 | 17,554 | 76.5% | 71.9% |
| 11 | 15,685 | 73.7% | 68.6% |
| 12 | 14,315 | 71.2% | 65.8% |
| 13 | 12,797 | 69.1% | 63.5% |
| 14 | 11,540 | 66.1% | 61.2% |
| 15 | 10,907 | 64.6% | 59.3% |
| 16 | 9,852 | 62.7% | 58.3% |
| 17 | 8,234 | 61.3% | 57.2% |
| 18 | 7,337 | 61.9% | 57.4% |
| 19 | 5,401 | 62.1% | 57.0% |
| 20 | 3,892 | 61.3% | 57.6% |
Better or worse than the national average?
The LU area's pass rate minus the national pass rate at each car age, in percentage points. Bars above zero: LU-area tests beat the national average for that age. Below zero: they trail.
View this chart as a table
| Age (years) | Gap (points) |
|---|---|
| 3 | -0.3 |
| 4 | +0.9 |
| 5 | +1.7 |
| 6 | +1.8 |
| 7 | +3.2 |
| 8 | +3.6 |
| 9 | +4.4 |
| 10 | +4.6 |
| 11 | +5.1 |
| 12 | +5.4 |
| 13 | +5.6 |
| 14 | +4.9 |
| 15 | +5.3 |
| 16 | +4.4 |
| 17 | +4.1 |
| 18 | +4.5 |
| 19 | +5.1 |
| 20 | +3.7 |
The cars tested around Luton, by age
How many cars of each age took a first MOT at LU-area test centres in 2025 — the age profile of what the area actually drives.
View this chart as a table
| Age (years) | First tests |
|---|---|
| 3 | 7,482 |
| 4 | 9,138 |
| 5 | 9,487 |
| 6 | 14,222 |
| 7 | 15,457 |
| 8 | 17,179 |
| 9 | 18,346 |
| 10 | 17,554 |
| 11 | 15,685 |
| 12 | 14,315 |
| 13 | 12,797 |
| 14 | 11,540 |
| 15 | 10,907 |
| 16 | 9,852 |
| 17 | 8,234 |
| 18 | 7,337 |
| 19 | 5,401 |
| 20 | 3,892 |
What cars fail on around Luton
Where the failure items land for tests done in the LU area, 2025.
Share of all failure items, 2025 — the 8 biggest categories shown (96.3% of the items); smaller categories are not listed.
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The advisories to watch
Where testers most often write "keep an eye on this" in the LU area, 2025 — the faults in the post.
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| Category | Share of advisories |
|---|---|
| Tyres | 28.3% |
| Suspension | 24.5% |
| Brakes | 23.4% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 6.9% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 4.9% |
| Non-component advisories | 4.5% |
Petrol, diesel, hybrid or electric?
First-time pass rate for the five most-tested fuel types in the LU area, 2025, against the national all-cars average. Fleet ages differ by fuel — newer fleets help the electrified bars.
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| Fuel | Tests | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 114,461 | 72.9% |
| Diesel | 85,119 | 74.9% |
| Hybrid electric | 14,468 | 85.9% |
| Electric | 4,308 | 88.1% |
| Electric diesel | 672 | 88.2% |
What mileage is normal around Luton?
Mileage recorded at test by vehicle age, LU-area tests, 2025. The line is the typical (median) car; the shaded band holds the middle half.
Mileage values are midpoints of 2,500-mile bands.
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| Age (years) | Lower quarter | Typical (median) | Upper quarter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 18,750 | 28,750 | 41,250 |
| 4 | 26,250 | 38,750 | 58,750 |
| 5 | 31,250 | 43,750 | 63,750 |
| 6 | 36,250 | 53,750 | 76,250 |
| 7 | 43,750 | 61,250 | 83,750 |
| 8 | 51,250 | 71,250 | 93,750 |
| 9 | 56,250 | 76,250 | 101,250 |
| 10 | 61,250 | 83,750 | 108,750 |
| 11 | 63,750 | 86,250 | 113,750 |
| 12 | 71,250 | 93,750 | 121,250 |
| 13 | 73,750 | 98,750 | 126,250 |
| 14 | 81,250 | 103,750 | 133,750 |
| 15 | 81,250 | 106,250 | 136,250 |
| 16 | 81,250 | 106,250 | 136,250 |
| 17 | 86,250 | 113,750 | 143,750 |
| 18 | 86,250 | 113,750 | 143,750 |
| 19 | 83,750 | 111,250 | 143,750 |
| 20 | 83,750 | 111,250 | 141,250 |
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What the LU area drives
The 12 most-tested makes at LU-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.
| Make | Tests 2025 | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|
| Vauxhall | 33,308 | 70.2% |
| Ford | 23,167 | 70.9% |
| Volkswagen | 17,795 | 75.9% |
| BMW | 16,640 | 82.2% |
| Toyota | 15,589 | 76.2% |
| Mercedes-Benz | 14,166 | 80.2% |
| Audi | 12,336 | 81.8% |
| Nissan | 10,268 | 68.6% |
| Kia | 7,879 | 76.3% |
| Peugeot | 6,410 | 68.8% |
| Honda | 6,194 | 68.8% |
| Hyundai | 6,023 | 75.0% |
MOT test centres in the LU area
112 DVSA-approved MOT test stations across the LU postcode area, 94 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.
| Centre | Address | Phone | Classes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Luton — 67 centres | |||
| Aa Mot Centre Ltd | Unit D1 Kingsway Industrial Estate, LU1 1LP | 01582 584959 | 4 |
| Aa Mot Service | 101 Leagrave Road, LU3 1RJ | 01582 564300 | 4, 7 |
| Aj Autocare Luton Limited | Unit 66-80 Arundel Road, LU4 8PZ | 07450 970165 | Not listed |
| Ashburnham Road Garage | 171 To 173 Ashburnham Road, LU1 1JW | 01582 725917 | 4 |
| Auto Assist Ltd | 140 High Town Road, LU2 0DJ | 07402 477477 | Not listed |
| Autohaus Luton | 4 Covent Garden Close, LU4 8QB | 01582 592992 | Not listed |
| Autosave Ltd | 66-80 Unit B, Arundel Road, LU4 8DY | 01582 966480 | 4, 7 |
| Bismillah Garage Services Limited | 2a Tudor Road, LU3 1RN | 01582 570000 | 4 |
| Burr Street Mot Centre Limited | 43-51 Burr Street, LU2 0HN | 01582 459150 | 5 |
| Camford Car Care Ltd | Unit 5, 195 Camford Way, Sundon Park, LU3 3AN | 01582 505662 | 4, 7 |
| Considine Motor Services | Midland Road, LU2 0HR | 01582 611005 | 4 |
| Dallow Mot & Service Station | Unit 3, Dallow Road Service Station, Dallow Road, LU1 1SP | 01582 455962 | 4 |
| Drive Inn Limited | 157/165 Castle Street, LU1 3AL | 07883 084165 | 4, 5, 7 |
| Drive Ryte | 121 Leagrave Road, LU3 1RJ | 01582 353588 | 4, 7 |
| Drive Ryte | 1a Memorial Road, LU3 2QU | 01582 564440 | 4 |
| Drive Safe Limited | 21 Taylor Street, LU2 0EY | 01582 729943 | Not listed |
| Dudley Mot Centre | 45 Dudley Street, LU2 0NP | 01582 733036 | 4, 7 |
| Eaton Green Motor Co | 71a Latimer Road, LU1 3XD | 01582 416591 | 3, 4 |
| Fast Track Autos Ltd | Unit 1a, 243-245 Selbourne Road, LU4 8NP | 01582 564132 | 4, 7 |
| Fastfit Autocare | Unit C, Cradock Road, LU4 0JF | 07527 111777 | 4, 7 |
| Halfords Autocentre | Unit 4, Windmill Trading Estate, Thistle Road, LU1 3XJ | 01582 876664 | 4 |
| Halfords Autocentre | 16 Crawley Road, LU1 1HY | 01582 720501 | 4 |
| Harpenden Auto Services Limited | Unit F Holly Street, LU1 3XG | 01582 722445 | 4 |
| Hrs (luton) Ltd | 326 Hitchin Road, LU2 7SR | 01582 456333 | 1, 2, 4, 5, 7 |
| Jamoy Autoworkkz Ltd | 201 Camford Way, Sundon Business Park, LU3 3AN | 01582 579494 | Not listed |
| Kwik - Fit | 32 Cosgrove Way, LU1 1XL | 01582 877066 | 4 |
| Kwik - Fit | 51 - 67 Chapel Street, LU1 5DA | 01582 738194 | 4 |
| Leagrave Mot Centre Ltd | Unit 17, 117 Leagrave Road, LU3 1RJ | 01582 560601 | 4, 5, 7 |
| Luton Borough Council | Central Depot, Transport Division, Kingsway, LU4 8AU | 01582 546843 | Not listed |
| Luton Brake & Service World Limited | 9a Chaul End Lane, LU4 8EZ | 01582 562272 | 4 |
| Luton Mot & Repairs | 12 Burr Street, LU2 0HN | 01582 722977 | 4, 5, 7 |
| Luton Mot & Servicing Centre | 35 Hitchin Road, LU2 0EL | 01582 732222 | 4 |
| M & M Motors | 62a Dordans Road, LU4 9BS | 01582 491600 | 4 |
| M&a M.o.t Centre Ltd | 103 Leagrave Road, LU3 1RJ | 01582 492000 | 4 |
| Mansfield Mot Centre | 19a Mansfield Road, LU4 8NA | 01582 459962 | 4 |
| Mirza Mot Centre | 63 Portland Road, LU4 8AX | 01582 615161 | 4 |
| Mm Mot Centre Ltd | 87-95 Wingate Road, LU4 8PZ | 07566 858991 | 4 |
| Mot 4 U | Car Lot 1-3 Sundon Park Road, LU3 3AA | 01582 758985 | 4 |
| Mot Time | 348 -350 Selbourne Road, LU4 8NU | 01582 571020 | 4 |
| Motorized Garage & Mot | 207 Leagrave Road, LU3 1RJ | 01582 582758 | 4 |
| Mots Time Ltd | Unit 3b, Telmere Industrial Estate, Albert Road, LU1 3QF | 01582 733083 | 4 |
| Mr Clutch Autocentres | 17a Cosgrove Way, LU1 1XL | 01582 431329 | 4, 5, 7 |
| N L C Express Mot | 1 Mansfield Road, LU4 8NA | 07540 690258 | 4, 7 |
| New Town Mot Station | Unit 3, New Town Road, LU1 3EA | 01582 657766 | 4 |
| Online Mot Ltd | Unit 7 Flowers Industrial Estate, Latimer Road, LU1 3XA | 07508 252233 | 1, 2 |
| Parkview Car Care | 210 Toddington Road, LU4 9DZ | 01582 595323 | 4 |
| Parkway Garage Limited | 3 Gloucester Road, LU1 3HX | 01582 722032 | Not listed |
| Pit Stop Luton | 12a Liverpool Road, LU1 1RS | 01582 738899 | 4 |
| Pitlane Ltd | Unit 25, Scott Road, Sundon Park, LU3 3BF | 01582 593667 | 4, 5, 7 |
| Ranger Tyres | Unit 4, 81 Arundel Road, LU4 8DY | 01582 584405 | 4, 5, 7 |
| Rm Mot | 25 Camford Way, LU3 3AN | 07898 922612 | 4 |
| S M C Garage Limited | 122 To 124 Leagrave Road, LU4 8HX | 01582 411880 | 4 |
| Sajj's Cab & Car Repair Centre | Unit G 13 Cradock Road, LU4 0JF | 01582 561400 | 4, 5, 7 |
| Selbourne Motors | 346 Selbourne Road, LU4 8NU | 01582 493377 | 4 |
| Sheridan Mot S | 276 Biscot Road, LU3 1AZ | 01582 455244 | 4 |
| Smc Fast Fit Centre Limited | Unit 1, 209 Leagrave Road, LU3 1RJ | 01582 492244 | Not listed |
| Sytner Luton | 501 Dunstable Road, Maidenhall, LU4 8QN | 01582 590700 | 4 |
| Technical Brakes Ltd | 261 Selbourne Road, LU4 8PF | 01582 572681 | 4 |
| The Mot Centre | 43-45 Windmill Road, LU1 3XL | 01582 486700 | 4, 7 |
| Thurlow Nunn (jv) Ltd | Kimpton Road, LU2 0TB | 01582 286431 | 4, 7 |
| Tyre City | Unit 2 - 3, Madford Retail Park, Dunstable Road, LU4 8DN | 01582 561389 | 4, 7 |
| Tyre Warehouse | 427 Dunstable Road, LU4 8DA | 01582 592006 | Not listed |
| Uk Tyre Warehouse | 96a Midland Road, LU2 0BL | 01582 405627 | 4, 7 |
| Ukmots Ltd | Unit 6 (19), Flowers Industrial Estate, Latimer Road, LU1 3XA | 01582 456455 | 4, 7 |
| W A Mot Centre Ltd | 2 Borough Industrial Estate, 117 Leagrave Road, LU3 1RJ | 01582 597039 | 4, 7 |
| Whipperley Ring Service Station | Whipperley Ring, Farley Hill Estate, LU1 5QY | 01582 721902 | 4 |
| Wigmore Mot Centre | 53 Ashcroft Road, Stopsley, LU2 9AX | 01582 727029 | 4 |
| Leighton Buzzard — 21 centres | |||
| A E H Inwards Motors | 48 Grovebury Road, LU7 4SW | 01525 372092 | 4 |
| A.m.r Auto Services | The Garage, R O 28 High Street, LU7 1EA | 01525 373628 | 4 |
| Ashtons | The Pumping Station, Wing Road, Linslade, LU7 2PG | 01525 373736 | 4 |
| Bedforshire Car Repairs | Unit 4 Chassis Industrial Estate, Grovebury Road, LU7 4DD | 01525 385000 | 4 |
| Car Service And Repairs | Unit 9, Oakwood Enterprise Park, Ledburn, LU7 0GR | 01525 210300 | 1, 2 |
| Car Tech | 45 Lake Street, LU7 1RS | 01525 305016 | 4 |
| Carshop Northampton | 77-83 Grovebury Road, LU7 4TE | 01525 243535 | 4 |
| Diagnostic Services | Unit 27, Harmill Industrial Estate, Grovebury Road, LU7 4FF | 01525 383000 | 4 |
| E And E Services Mk Limited | The Garage, Hill View Lane, LU7 9BN | 01908 218875 | 4 |
| Essential Fleet Services Limited | Unit 18b- 20 Double Arches Business Park, Eastern Way, Heath And Reach, LU7 9LF | 01582 235284 | 4, 5, 7 |
| F1 Tyre & Exhausts | Unit 4, Billington Road, LU7 4TH | 01525 217072 | Not listed |
| Freespirit Automotive Ltd | 1 Firbank Way, Chartmoor Business Park, LU7 4YP | 01525 372626 | 4 |
| Hunters Garage | Units 3- 4 Manor Business Centre, High Street, South Stewkley, LU7 0HR | 01525 240696 | 4 |
| Jackson & Phillips Automotive Services Ltd | 1 King Street, LU7 1BY | 01525 372650 | 4, 5, 7 |
| Kwik Fit | 3 Grovebury Road, LU7 4SQ | 01525 301200 | 4 |
| Linslade Tyre Sales Limited | Leighton Road, Linslade, LU7 1LF | 01525 375671 | 4 |
| Mann Motors | 13 - 16 Clipstone Brook, Cherry Courtway, LU7 4GP | 01525 374174 | 4, 7 |
| N & G Autos Ltd | Beaconview, Sparrow Hall Farm, LU6 2ES | 01525 220850 | 4, 7 |
| One Stop Mot Shop Ltd | R/o 63 North Street, LU7 1EQ | 01525 381241 | 4 |
| Protyre Leighton Buzzard (mk Tyres) | Unit 6b, Commerce Way, Stanbridge Road, LU7 4RW | 01525 373740 | 1, 2, 4 |
| Woburn Autos Ltd | Unit 1 Chassis Industrial Estate, Grovebury Road, LU7 4DD | 07877 041633 | 4, 5, 7 |
| Dunstable — 13 centres | |||
| Dlg Auto Repair Limited | Chalk Hill, Watling Street, LU6 1RS | 01582 671892 | 4 |
| Halfords Autocentre | 222 High Street, LU6 1AY | 01582 661186 | 4 |
| Hartwell Ford | 77 London Road, LU6 3DT | 01582 443500 | 4, 5, 7 |
| Hbb Motorcycles | 20n Icknield Way Farm Business Park, Tring Road, LU6 2JX | 07794 789955 | 1, 2 |
| Houghton Motors | 104 High Street, Houghton Regis, LU5 5BJ | 01582 862222 | 4 |
| Intercounty Truck & Van Limited | Unit 9 Humphrys Road, Woodside Industrial Estate, LU5 4TP | 01582 347700 | 4, 5, 7 |
| Kwik - Fit | 106 - 112 Church Street, LU5 4HP | 01582 668700 | 4 |
| Motorvogue | 172-180 High Street, LU6 3HS | 01582 853089 | Not listed |
| Nmj Service Centre Limited | Walton End Garage, Pebblemoor, Edlesborough, LU6 2HZ | 01525 222224 | 4 |
| Northview Garage Services Limited | 102 Great Northern Road, LU5 4BT | 01582 665298 | 4, 7 |
| Regent Motors (dunstable) Ltd | 2a Regent Street, LU6 1LP | 01582 662228 | Not listed |
| Renault Trucks Chiltern | Luton Road, LU5 4QF | 01582 500000 | 4, 7 |
| Various | 2 Mayer Way, Houghton Regis, LU5 5BF | 01582 477500 | 4 |
| Bedfordshire — 5 centres | |||
| A J Autos Toddington Ltd | 17-19 High Street, Toddington, LU5 6BX | 01525 872630 | 4 |
| Baldwin's Motors Limited | 27 Eden Way, Pages Industrial Park, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 4TZ | 01525 382323 | 4 |
| Caddington Garage | 19-21 Manor Road, Caddington, LU1 4EE | 01582 411141 | 4 |
| Formula One Auto Centre | 192 High Street, Dunstable, LU6 3HS | 01582 674744 | 4 |
| Sundon Park Mot Centre | 35 Camford Way, Luton, LU3 3AN | 01582 599935 | 3, 5 |
| Houghton Regis — 3 centres | |||
| Autocraft | Unit A3, Portland Close, Townsend Trading Estate, LU5 5AW | 01582 472117 | 4, 7 |
| Central Bedfordshire Council Sandy Mot Station | Grendall Lane, LU5 6GJ | 03003 005155 | Not listed |
| Georgina Service Station Ltd | 22-36 High Street, LU5 5BJ | 01582 866690 | 4, 5, 7 |
| Beds — 2 centres | |||
| Luton Motor City | 125 Leagrave Road, Luton, LU3 1RJ | 01582 571591 | 4 |
| Manor Park Motors | 127-135 Park Street, Luton, LU1 3HG | 01582 488475 | 4 |
| Pitstone — 1 centre | |||
| C&s Automotive Ltd | Unit 2 Quarry Court, Quarry Road, Pitstone Green Business Park, LU7 9GW | 01296 331444 | 4, 7 |
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.
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