New figures from car insurance experts CompareNI.com have revealed the MOT test centres in Northern Ireland with the lowest pass rates for private cars. The analysis of Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) data for 2024/25 shows Coleraine had the lowest pass rate at 78.2%. This was nearly nine per cent lower than Belfast (Balmoral), which recorded the highest pass rate at 87%.
Following Coleraine, Ballymena (79%) and Larne (79.3%) ranked as the second and third lowest, respectively. Downpatrick and Newry shared the fourth lowest position with 79.4% pass rates. Conversely, Craigavon and Omagh had the joint second highest pass rate at 82.6%, closely followed by Lisburn and Newtownards at 82.4%.
The average pass rate for private cars between April 2024 and March 2025 stood at 81.2%, from a total of 802,978 cars tested. This means 150,751 cars failed their MOT during this period.
These figures emerge amid ongoing delays for MOT tests in Northern Ireland. To address increased demand and reduce waiting times, Stormont has extended Temporary Exemption Certificates (TECs) for MOT tests for a further year this June. This applies automatically to private cars registered between 1st June 2020 and 31st May 2021, or between 1st June 2018 and 31st May 2019. The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) indicates this scheme reduced MOT waiting times from over 100 days in May 2024 to approximately 30 days by February 2025.
A CompareNI.com survey of over 700 Northern Ireland drivers found that 46% experienced difficulties booking an MOT in the past year, with 22% unable to secure a slot for over three months.
Ian Wilson, Managing Director at CompareNI.com, advised: “While these exemptions will help ease the strain on MOT testing facilities and reduce the backlog, there is now an even greater onus on drivers to make sure their cars are kept in a roadworthy condition.” He reminded drivers that an invalid MOT could lead to fines up to £1,000 and potential insurance payout refusal. Wilson also recommended routine checks, such as inspecting tyres, lights, brakes, windscreen, wipers, and fluid levels, to maintain vehicle roadworthiness.
Source: Down News