KW postcode area · 31 MOT centres
MOT centres in Kirkwall (KW)
All 31 DVSA-approved MOT test stations in the KW area, with local pass rates and the faults cars fail on most, from 27,342 tests in 2024.
A higher score can mean cars are better kept here, or that testers are less strict. DVSA does not publish pass rates for single garages, so the list below is not ranked.
What fails most here
Failure items per 100 tests, KW vs Great Britain.
| Area of the car | KW | GB |
|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 21.7 | 9.9 |
| Lights & electrics | 17.8 | 15.1 |
| Suspension | 17.3 | 11.0 |
| Tyres | 8.6 | 7.2 |
| Body & chassis | 6.8 | 3.9 |
| Emissions & leaks | 6.2 | 4.0 |
| Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors) | 5.4 | 4.9 |
| Steering | 2.9 | 2.1 |
Most tested cars in Kirkwall
| Model | Tests | Passed | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Fiesta | 1,136 | 67.3% | 94Below average |
| Ford Focus | 799 | 71.3% | 98About average |
| Vauxhall Corsa | 771 | 59.7% | 85Well below average |
| Volkswagen Golf | 693 | 74.8% | 107Above average |
| Vauxhall Astra | 580 | 67.1% | 99About average |
| Ford Transit | 485 | 62.7% | 87Well below average |
| Volkswagen Transporter | 438 | 68.5% | 98Below average |
| Volkswagen Polo | 430 | 68.6% | 99About average |
| Ford Kuga | 422 | 82.0% | 105Above average |
| Volkswagen Caddy | 390 | 68.5% | 99About average |
All MOT test stations in the KW area
From the DVSA list of active MOT test stations. Phone ahead: opening times and prices vary (the maximum MOT fee for a car is £54.85).
Kirkwall 7
- Colin Gregg CarsPlot 2, Grainshore Drive, Hatston Industrial Estate, KW15 1RE01856 870900Cars
- Dr D's Bike SurgeryCraigfield Road, St Ola, KW15 1TB01856878313Motorbikes
- James David DearnessMarness Garage, St Ola, KW15 1SF01856874462Cars
- Jt Motors OrkneyManse Road, KW15 1BS01856873750Cars
- Orkney MotorsGrainshore Road, KW15 1FL01856873082Cars, Vans, Minibuses
- The Pit StopCrowness Crescent, Hatston Industrial Estate, KW15 1GJ01856876667Cars
- W R Tullock And Sons LTDCastle Garage, Castle Street, KW15 1HD01856876262Cars
Thurso 4
- C Sutherland And SonThe Garage, Reay, KW14 7RE01847811303Cars, Vans, Motorbikes, Minibuses
- Ormlie Garage LTDOrmlie Garage LTD, 7d Ormlie Industrial Estate, KW14 7QU01847 891010Cars, Vans, Minibuses
- Riverside Garage ThursoSir Archibald Road, KW14 8HN01847892002Cars
- Thurso Tyre Centre LTDWilson Street, KW14 8AQ01847 896600Cars
Wick 3
- Ams Motorcycles20 Coach Road, KW1 4HA01955603550Motorbikes
- Halfords Autocentre16a Airport Industrial Estate, KW1 4QS01955604410Cars
- Richards Garage19 Francis Street, KW1 5PZ01955604123Cars, Motorbikes
Orkney 3
- Blue Star GarageNorth End Road, Stromness, KW16 3AG01856850850Cars
- Essons Garage LTDMaitland Place, Finstown, KW17 2ES01856 761277Cars, Vans
- Lawrence A SmithLawrona, Burray, KW17 2SS01856731231Cars
Caithness 3
- Autoquip MotorsUnit 16b, Airport Industrial Estate, Wick, KW1 4QS01955 609214Cars
- Francis Street Service StationFrancis Street, Wick, KW1 5PZ01955 604444Cars, Vans, Minibuses
- John Elder And SonsMarkethill, Dunbeath, KW6 6EJ01593 731 260Cars
Stromness 2
- C S Omand Garage10 Garson Place, KW16 3EE01856 850403Cars
- Firm Of K R GarriochAnnandale, KW16 3HS01856 850925Cars
Helmsdale 1
- Lsh Transport LimitedShore Garage, Shore Street, KW8 6JS01431821208Cars, Vans, Minibuses
Halkirk 1
- J & G Sutherland And Spraytech LTDCrescent Street, KW12 6XN01847831208Cars
Castletown 1
- A & L MotorsMain Street, KW14 8TU01847 821401Cars
Kinbrace 1
- Kinbrace Garage LTDThe Garage, KW11 6UB01431831251Cars, Vans, Motorbikes
Sutherland 1
- Victoria Garage And Filling StationVictoria Road, Brora, KW9 6LN01408621456Cars
Thurso, Caithness 1
- Meiklejohn's Garage49 Barrock Street, KW14 7DG01847 890257Cars, Motorbikes
Brora 1
- Sutherland Arms Garage LTDVictoria Road, KW9 6QN01408 621721Cars, Vans, Minibuses
Stromness, Orkney 1
- Block Works GarageQuholm, KW16 3LL01856 850880Cars, Vans
Kirkwall, Orkney 1
- Bayview GarageScotts Road, Hatston Industrial Estate, KW15 1GR01856 879601Cars
For garages
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Questions
How many MOT centres are there in Kirkwall (KW)?
DVSA lists 31 active MOT test stations in the KW postcode area, 29 of which test cars.
What is the MOT pass rate in Kirkwall?
In 2024, 71.2% of cars passed their MOT first time at test stations in the KW area. Given the age of the cars tested, 72.0% would be expected, so the area is about average (score 99, 72 of 118 areas).
What do cars fail on most in Kirkwall?
The most common failure reasons were coil spring: fractured or broken; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm; service brake performance: excessively binding.