West Midlands Police has revealed the top 10 highest speeds recorded on the region's roads in 2026, with an unlikely family car topping the list. A Skoda was caught travelling at 137mph on the M6, the fastest speed clocked in the past 12 months, according to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request submitted by BirminghamLive.
Skoda's surprise top speed
The Skoda, a make typically associated with family motoring, was recorded on the M6 northbound between Junctions 4 and 5, where the national speed limit of 70mph applies. The vehicle was caught by a speed camera, and the offence took place on a stretch with no temporary restrictions.
The FOI response, which detailed the speed, location, and vehicle make for each offence, shows that all top 10 speeds were recorded on the motorway network, with entries on the M6, M5, and M42. Seven of the drivers were caught by speed cameras, while the remaining three were stopped by police officers. The punishments for these offences were not disclosed.
Top 10 fastest speeds in the West Midlands
Here is the full list of the top 10 speeds recorded in the region, as provided by West Midlands Police:
- 137mph – M6 northbound between Junctions 4 and 5 (national speed limit) – Skoda – camera
- 134mph – M6 northbound between Junctions 7 and 8 (national speed limit) – Porsche – camera
- 133mph – M6 northbound between Junctions 8 and 9 (national speed limit) – BMW – officer
- 131mph – M42 northbound between Junctions 4 and 5 (national speed limit) – BMW – camera
- 131mph – M42 northbound between Junctions 3a and 4 (national speed limit) – Ford – camera
- 130mph – M5 northbound Junction 1 (national speed limit) – Audi – officer
- 130mph – M5 Junctions 3 to 2 (national speed limit) – Mercedes Benz – officer
- 126mph – M6 southbound between Junctions 5 and 4 (national speed limit) – Mercedes Benz – camera
- 126mph – M6 northbound between Junctions 7 and 8 (60mph speed limit) – BMW – camera
- 125mph – M6 southbound between M54 exit slip road and Junction 10 (national speed limit) – Audi – camera
BMW leads the make rankings
BMW was the most frequent make on the list, appearing three times, followed by Mercedes-Benz and Audi with two entries each. Porsche, Ford, and Skoda accounted for the remaining spots. The data also shows that nine of the ten offences occurred on stretches with the national speed limit of 70mph, while one was on a temporary 60mph variable speed limit section.
According to West Midlands Police, the information was released under the Freedom of Information Act, and the figures reflect the highest speeds recorded by both fixed cameras and officers during routine patrols. The force has not commented on individual cases, but speeding offences of this magnitude typically result in substantial fines, penalty points, or potential court appearances.
Road safety concerns
The revelation comes as West Midlands Police continues to emphasise road safety across the region. Earlier this year, the force issued a warning about 'spooked' motorbike thieves targeting luxury cars, but the latest data highlights the ongoing issue of excessive speeding on major routes. The M6, which features prominently in the list, has seen multiple high-speed incidents, raising questions about enforcement and driver behaviour.
While the Skoda's 137mph figure is the highest recorded, the presence of a 60mph variable speed limit on the M6 northbound between Junctions 7 and 8 did not deter a BMW driver from hitting 126mph, underscoring the challenges faced by authorities in managing speeds on busy motorways.
For context, the national speed limit on motorways is 70mph, and speeds above 100mph are considered particularly dangerous, often leading to driving bans. The data does not specify whether any of the drivers were prosecuted, but such speeds would likely attract severe penalties under UK law.
