MOT pass rates in Perth

98,541 cars took a first MOT at test centres in the PH postcode area in 2025. The PH postcode area covers Perth and the towns around it — Pitlochry, Aviemore and Blairgowrie 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
69.5%
2.8 points below the class-4 average (72.3%); reflects the mix of cars tested here
Tests analysed
98,541
first tests, 2025
Average car age at test
9.4 yrs
national average 10.7 yrs
Arrived with a dangerous fault
7.8%
of PH-area first tests; national 7.3%

How Perth 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
#92 highest
69.5% of first tests passed, of the 116 areas
Fleet age
#108 oldest
average 9.4 yrs at test, of the 116 areas
Electric share
#63 highest
1.9% of first tests were electric cars, of the 116 areas
Tests done
#108 busiest
98,541 first tests in 2025, of the 116 areas

The area's signature make

Of the twelve most-tested makes at PH-area test centres, Volvo is the one tested furthest above its national share: 3.5% of PH-area first tests against 1.8% of tests nationally — 1.9 times its national rate. That is a fact about what the area drives, not a claim about the make.

Perth and its neighbours

Perth and six neighbouring postcode areas, 2025. Pass rates are unadjusted for fleet age and mix.

AreaFirst tests Pass rateAvg ageElectric
PH (Perth)98,54169.5%9.4 yrs1.9%
AB (Aberdeen)254,25968.0%9.2 yrs1.8%
DD (Dundee)136,16065.1%9.4 yrs2.2%
FK (Falkirk)143,75770.3%8.9 yrs2.4%
IV (Inverness)143,02171.0%9.6 yrs1.5%
KY (Kirkcaldy)186,85863.8%9.8 yrs1.7%
PA (Paisley)152,36069.3%9.1 yrs2.1%

Pass rate by car age — PH area vs national

First-time pass rate by vehicle age, 2025.

Perth (PH) areaAll of Britain
40%50%60%70%80%90%100%3579111315171920Vehicle age (years)PH area, vehicle age 3: 88.1%PH area, vehicle age 4: 85.2%PH area, vehicle age 5: 83.8%PH area, vehicle age 6: 81.6%PH area, vehicle age 7: 75.6%PH area, vehicle age 8: 72.3%PH area, vehicle age 9: 68.1%PH area, vehicle age 10: 63.4%PH area, vehicle age 11: 59.8%PH area, vehicle age 12: 57.3%PH area, vehicle age 13: 54.1%PH area, vehicle age 14: 52.6%PH area, vehicle age 15: 48.6%PH area, vehicle age 16: 49.2%PH area, vehicle age 17: 48.6%PH area, vehicle age 18: 48.5%PH area, vehicle age 19: 51.4%PH area, vehicle age 20: 49.9%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%All of Britain 57.6%PH area 49.9%
View this chart as a table
Age (years)PH area testsPH area pass rateAll cars
36,74888.1%88.5%
47,40385.2%87.2%
56,91883.8%86.0%
69,59981.6%83.5%
78,99675.6%80.9%
88,91572.3%78.2%
98,91868.1%74.9%
107,96763.4%71.9%
116,70959.8%68.6%
125,16357.3%65.8%
134,03354.1%63.5%
143,37652.6%61.2%
152,77548.6%59.3%
162,18149.2%58.3%
171,70948.6%57.2%
181,49948.5%57.4%
191,06851.4%57.0%
2084949.9%57.6%

Better or worse than the national average?

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

PH area behind
-12-6+0+6+12Age 3: -0.4 points vs the average car3Age 4: -2.0 points vs the average carAge 5: -2.2 points vs the average car5Age 6: -1.9 points vs the average carAge 7: -5.3 points vs the average car7Age 8: -5.9 points vs the average carAge 9: -6.8 points vs the average car9Age 10: -8.5 points vs the average carAge 11: -8.8 points vs the average car11Age 12: -8.5 points vs the average carAge 13: -9.4 points vs the average car13Age 14: -8.6 points vs the average carAge 15: -10.7 points vs the average car15Age 16: -9.1 points vs the average carAge 17: -8.6 points vs the average car17Age 18: -8.9 points vs the average carAge 19: -5.6 points vs the average car19Age 20: -7.7 points vs the average car20Vehicle age (years)
View this chart as a table
Age (years)Gap (points)
3-0.4
4-2.0
5-2.2
6-1.9
7-5.3
8-5.9
9-6.8
10-8.5
11-8.8
12-8.5
13-9.4
14-8.6
15-10.7
16-9.1
17-8.6
18-8.9
19-5.6
20-7.7

The cars tested around Perth, by age

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

02k5k7k10kAge 3: 6k3Age 4: 7kAge 5: 6k5Age 6: 9kAge 7: 8k7Age 8: 8kAge 9: 8k9Age 10: 7kAge 11: 6k11Age 12: 5kAge 13: 4k13Age 14: 3kAge 15: 2k15Age 16: 2kAge 17: 1k17Age 18: 1kAge 19: 1k19Age 20: 84920Vehicle age (years)
View this chart as a table
Age (years)First tests
36,748
47,403
56,918
69,599
78,996
88,915
98,918
107,967
116,709
125,163
134,033
143,376
152,775
162,181
171,709
181,499
191,068
20849

What cars fail on around Perth

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

Suspension24.1%
Brakes22.1%
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment17.2%
Tyres10.8%
Body, chassis, structure7.9%
Noise, emissions and leaks6.1%
Visibility5.5%
Steering3.7%

Share of all failure items, 2025 — the 8 biggest categories shown (97.5% of the items); smaller categories are not listed.

The advisories to watch

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

Brakes: 32.3% of advisories32.3%Suspension: 26.5% of advisories26.5%Tyres: 24.9% of advisories24.9%Body, chassis, structure: 4.8% of advisoriesNon-component advisories: 3.7% of advisoriesNoise, emissions and leaks: 3.4% of advisories
BrakesSuspensionTyresBody, chassis, structureNon-component advisoriesNoise, emissions and leaks
View this chart as a table
CategoryShare of advisories
Brakes32.3%
Suspension26.5%
Tyres24.9%
Body, chassis, structure4.8%
Non-component advisories3.7%
Noise, emissions and leaks3.4%

Petrol, diesel, hybrid or electric?

First-time pass rate for the four most-tested fuel types in the PH 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: 65.6% of 47,630 tests65.6%Diesel47,630 testsPetrol: 71.3% of 44,695 tests71.3%Petrol44,695 testsHybrid electric: 87.0% of 3,874 tests87.0%Hybrid3,874 testsElectric: 82.9% of 1,835 tests82.9%Electric1,835 tests
View this chart as a table
FuelTestsPass rate
Diesel47,63065.6%
Petrol44,69571.3%
Hybrid electric3,87487.0%
Electric1,83582.9%

What mileage is normal around Perth?

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

Typical car, PH area (median)
0k25k50k75k100k125k150k3579111315171920Vehicle age (years)Age 3: typical 26,250 miles (middle half 16,250–36,250)Age 4: typical 33,750 miles (middle half 23,750–46,250)Age 5: typical 38,750 miles (middle half 26,250–53,750)Age 6: typical 46,250 miles (middle half 31,250–61,250)Age 7: typical 53,750 miles (middle half 38,750–71,250)Age 8: typical 61,250 miles (middle half 43,750–81,250)Age 9: typical 68,750 miles (middle half 51,250–91,250)Age 10: typical 76,250 miles (middle half 56,250–98,750)Age 11: typical 83,750 miles (middle half 61,250–106,250)Age 12: typical 86,250 miles (middle half 63,750–111,250)Age 13: typical 91,250 miles (middle half 68,750–118,750)Age 14: typical 98,750 miles (middle half 73,750–126,250)Age 15: typical 101,250 miles (middle half 71,250–128,750)Age 16: typical 98,750 miles (middle half 71,250–131,250)Age 17: typical 103,750 miles (middle half 71,250–136,250)Age 18: typical 103,750 miles (middle half 73,750–136,250)Age 19: typical 98,750 miles (middle half 71,250–136,250)Age 20: typical 101,250 miles (middle half 71,250–138,750)101k mi

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

View this chart as a table
Age (years)Lower quarterTypical (median)Upper quarter
316,25026,25036,250
423,75033,75046,250
526,25038,75053,750
631,25046,25061,250
738,75053,75071,250
843,75061,25081,250
951,25068,75091,250
1056,25076,25098,750
1161,25083,750106,250
1263,75086,250111,250
1368,75091,250118,750
1473,75098,750126,250
1571,250101,250128,750
1671,25098,750131,250
1771,250103,750136,250
1873,750103,750136,250
1971,25098,750136,250
2071,250101,250138,750

What the PH area drives

The 12 most-tested makes at PH-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
Ford12,52666.8%
Volkswagen9,89672.1%
Vauxhall7,12160.1%
Audi5,63075.3%
Peugeot5,10364.2%
Land Rover4,35466.7%
BMW4,23080.0%
Skoda4,17373.8%
Toyota4,02971.6%
Nissan3,62563.0%
Volvo3,48073.7%
Mercedes-Benz3,30771.6%

MOT test centres in the PH area

99 DVSA-approved MOT test stations across the PH postcode area, 87 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
Perth — 52 centres
A & B GarageUnit 2, Tulloch Works, Tulloch Road, PH1 2RW01738 6396194
A A Garage ServicesA A Garage Services, Unit 5, Ladeside Business Park, St Catherines Road, PH1 5RY01738 4466664, 5, 7
A And B MotorsBack Dykes, Abernethy, PH2 9JY01738 8510831, 2, 4, 5, 7
Active Service LimitedInveralmond Road, Inveralmond Industrial Estate, PH1 3TW01738 6267594, 7
Alastair ReidThe Garage, Guildtown, PH2 6BS01821 6403684
Alastair Reid LtdAuto Electronics, 9 Whitefriars Street, PH1 3PP01738 6224164
Arnold ClarkEaster Inveralmond Estate, PH1 3GA01738 6339994, 7
Arnold Clark Automobiles153 Dunkeld Road, PH1 5AU01738 4433554
Auto Services, Perth, LtdBertha Park View, Inveralmond Industrial Estate, PH1 3EE01738 2100004, 5, 7
Barnetts HondaThe Triangle, Dunkeld Road, PH1 3GA01738 4400664
Bellfield Motor Company LtdBellfield Motor Company Ltd, 5 Almondgrove Place, Inveralmond Industrial Estate, PH1 3TR01738 4512994
Burnbrae GarageMethven, PH1 3RF01764 6832411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7
Cameron Motors (perth) Ltd159 Dunkeld Road, PH1 5AS01738 6360364
Cargills AutosCargills Autos, Main Street, Bridge Of Earn, PH2 9PJ+4477035645624
Cherrybank GarageCherrybank Garage, 209 Glasgow Road, PH2 0NB01738 6245331, 2, 3, 4
D & G AutocareUnit C, Glenearn Road, PH2 0NJ01738 6255774, 7
Dicksons Of PerthUnit 1, Kilda Way, PH1 3XS01738 6262874, 7
Drysdale Motorcycles Limited172 Dunkeld Road, PH1 3AA01736 4510501, 2, 4, 5, 7
Drysdale Motorcycles Ltd1 St Leonards Bank, PH2 8EB01738 4510501, 2
Farmer Autocare Ltd47 Princes Street, PH2 8NG01738 4477444
Gary Buist Commercials LtdRiverside Garage, Glenalmond Business Park, Almondbank, PH1 3LX01738 5833314, 5, 7
Glenfarg Garage LimitedMain Street, Glenfarg, PH2 9NU01577 830633Not listed
Grassick's GarageGrassick's Garage, The Triangle, Inveralmond, Dunkeld Road, PH1 3GA01738 6300014
Grassicks Pdi Centre5 Inveralmond Close, Inveralmond Industrial Estate, PH1 3TT01738 6270614
Halfords AutocentreKing Street Garage, King Street, PH2 8HR01738 6231444
Halfords Autocentre42 Long Causeway, PH1 1PN01738 6259804
Hamdani & Son MotorsUnit 1, Tulloch Works, Tulloch Road, PH1 2RW01738 6357744
Harbour Garage LtdBay 3 Gartshore Buildings, Friarton Road, PH2 8BB01738 6399114
Inchmichael GarageInchmichael Garage, Dundee Road, Errol, PH2 7RR01821 6702421, 2, 4, 7
Kwik-Fit61 Main Street, Bridgend, PH2 7HD01738 6385954
Lawsons Garage Services Ltd13 Main Street, Methven, PH1 3PU01738 8402034
M.r.motorsUnit 69 Lochty Industrial Estate, Almondbank, PH1 3NP01738 5823301, 2
Mcintosh AutocareUnit 6, Inveralmond Road, Inveralmond Industrial Estate, PH1 3XA01738 4479984
Mercedes-Benz Of PerthRuthvenfield Road, PH1 3XF01738 4777004
Motortrade Support LtdUnit 5, Inveralmond Way, Inveralmond Industrial Estate, PH1 3UQ01738 352232Not listed
Neville Garage LtdMain Street, Spittalfield, Perthshire, PH1 4JX01738 7102064
One Call Vehicle Services LtdUnit 1, Old Electric Buildings, Shore Road, PH2 9BD01738 444489Not listed
Park's Ford Perth170 Dunkeld Road, PH1 3AA01738 6251214, 7
Pentland Landrover Perth192 Dunkeld Road, PH1 3GD01738 4742004, 7
Perth & Kinross CouncilFriarton Depot, Friarton Road, PH2 8DF01738 4771364, 5, 7
Perth Garage LtdUnit 5 Bute House, Arran Road, PH1 3DZ01738 4438884
Perth Mot CentreLadeside, St Catherines Road, PH1 5RY01738 5001114
Perthshire Caravan Co (motors) LtdDundee Road, Errol, PH2 7SR01821 6702124
Peter Vardy Limited172 Dunkeld Road, PH1 3AA01738 5013134
Porsche Centre PerthTweed Place, PH1 1TJ01738 230700Not listed
Royal Mail Group Plc Fleet & Maintenance Services53 Feus Road, PH1 1AA01738 6264054, 7
Simpson Mechanical ServicesUnit 3, Lochty Industrial Estate, Almondbank, PH1 3NQ01738 5832824, 7
Strathmore MotorsArran Road, North Muirton, PH1 3DZ01738 6221564
Struan Motors LtdCrieff Road, PH1 2SJ01738 4455664
Struan Motors Ltd102 Scott Street, PH2 8LU01738 6334414
Thomson & Potter1 Manson Road, PH2 8BP07717 3415974
Tower CarsBack Dyke's, Abernethy, PH2 9JN01738 8501004
Blairgowrie — 8 centres
Alyth Garage Ltd1 Cambridge Street, Alyth, PH11 8AW01828 6337831, 2
Autoecosse SubaruThe Garage, Burrelton, PH13 9NX01828 9219214
Balmoral GarageBalmoral Road, Rattray, PH10 7AB01250 8758754
Central Garage (alyth) Ltd2 St Andrew Street, Alyth, PH11 8AT01828 6324921, 2
Farmer Autocare LimitedTerminus Street, PH10 6NW01313 3249004
Lamb & Gardiner Limited27-29 Perth Street, PH10 6DH01250 8723331, 2, 7
Lamb & Gardiner LtdUnion Street, Coupar Angus, PH13 9AF01828 6272714
Newtyle Garage1 Dundee Road, Newtyle, PH12 8UF01828 6293524
Crieff — 6 centres
Crieff Garage75 East High Street, PH7 3JA01764 6522734
Gordon MotorsComrie Road, PH7 4BQ01764 6521254
J & R Auto Services LtdUnit 2 West, South Bridgend, PH7 4DJ01764 6551115, 7
Meadow Garage (creiff) LtdUnion Terrace, PH7 4DE01764 6556464
Mgk MotorsBurrell Street, Comrie, PH6 2JP01764 6701884
Strathearn Tyres LimitedBurrell Street, PH7 4DG01764 6546971, 2, 4
Fort William — 6 centres
Bowmans Test Centre5 Duisky, PH33 7AW01397 7222184, 5, 7
Clansman GarageCamaghael, PH33 7NF01397 7034443, 4, 5, 7
Halfords AutocentreNorth Road, Inverlochy, PH33 6PP01397 7032534
Mjm MotorsUnit 21a Ben Nevis Industrial Estate, Claggan, PH33 6PR01397 7049144
Nevis Mot'sNevis Road, Inverlochy, PH33 6LY01397 7100094
Slipway Autos LimitedUnit 3a, Annat Point, Corpach, PH33 7NN01397 7724044, 5, 7
Auchterarder — 4 centres
Auchterarder Motors Ltd223 High Street, PH3 1AF01764 6621364
Castleton MotorsCastleton Road, PH3 1AG01764 6621764
Messrs James McnaughtonAbercairney Place, Blackford, PH4 1QB01764 6822614
Strathearn Engineering LtdDrumlandy, Main Road, Aberuthven, PH3 1HE01764 6630201, 2, 4, 7
Pitlochry — 3 centres
Blair Atholl GarageBlair Atholl, PH18 5SX01796 4812214, 7
H7 GarageThe Garage, Kinloch Rannoch, PH16 5PQ07971 483969Not listed
Pitlochry Garage LimitedAldour Industrial Estate, PH16 5LY01796 4723164
Argyll — 2 centres
Chisholms Garage LtdUnit 1, West Quarry Industrial Estate, Ballachulish, PH49 4JP01855 8114314
Loch Shiel Garage 2010 LimitedAcharacle, PH36 4JL01967 4312464, 7
Aviemore — 2 centres
Cairngorm Auto Repairs LtdUnit 1, Plot 19, Dalfaber Industrial Estate, PH22 1ST01479 8102244
George Mcdonald Garage Services LtdBlock 9, Dalfaber Industrial Estate, PH22 1ST01479 8112434
Dunkeld — 2 centres
Bobs Mechanical ServicesBobs Mechanical Repairs, Perth Road, Birnam, PH8 0DN01350 7272764
Dunkeld Auto ServicesUnits 1 - 3, Cally Industrial Estate, PH8 0HU01350 7280001, 2, 4
Kingussie — 2 centres
Grays Auto ServicesNewtonmore Road, PH21 1HF01540 6672204, 7
J R RepairsNewtonmore Road, PH21 1HF01540 6629884
Perthshire — 2 centres
Cotly GarageRailway Road, Welton Industrial Estate, Blairgowrie, PH10 6EP01250 8725911, 2, 4, 5, 7
Gatehouse Mechanical Services LtdGatehouse, Aberfeldy, PH15 2EL01887 8206693, 4, 7
Aberfeldy — 1 centre
Brad's Garage LtdUnit 9a Aberfeldy Business Park, Dunkeld Road, PH15 2AQ01887 8290414
Ballachulish — 1 centre
Lochside Garage (ballachulish) LtdWest Quarry, PH49 4JP01855 8118804, 5, 7
Carrbridge — 1 centre
Ronald M MacdonaldOld Bridge Garage, PH23 3AS01479 8412544, 7
Dalcrue — 1 centre
Grants Auto ServicesBoiler House, Glenalmond Business Park, PH1 3LX01738 582305Not listed
Errol — 1 centre
Mccormack MotorsUnit 1, The Old Sawmill, Errol Airfield, PH2 7TB01821 6420804
Fort Augustus — 1 centre
West End GarageFort William Road, PH32 4BH01320 3662474, 7
Grantown - On - Spey — 1 centre
Woodlands Service CentreUnit 4a, Achnagonalin Industrial Estate, PH26 3TA01479 8722894, 5, 7
Grantown On Spey — 1 centre
Grantown Garage LimitedChapel Road, PH26 3EP01479 8720374, 5, 7
Inverness-Shire — 1 centre
Ross's Garage LtdBaldow, Kincraig, PH21 1ND01540 6518404, 5, 7
Mallaig — 1 centre
Morar Motors LtdThe Garage, Morar, PH40 4PA01687 4621184

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.