Most Common MOT Failures

Even if you are positive that your car is in perfect condition, a MOT tester's trained eye can easily pick up on anything you have overlooked. If your car has had a MOT failure, you're not alone because over 30% of cars have them. We'll go over the most common MOT failures, the automobiles that are most likely to fail, and how to prevent failing. If your car has significant and dangerous defects, you lose your MOT. Small errors must be corrected immediately with Car Service, but they won't make the project fail.

Which MOT failures happen most frequently?

Except for an electric car MOT, almost all MOTs will perform the same tests. Knowing what is tested during a MOT and the most common MOT failures is therefore rather easy to ascertain.

Included are the most common reasons of failure along with our recommendation on how to avoid them in a pre-MOT check.

1. Lamps, signalling, and lighting

Broken or blown lights may seem like a small inconvenience, but they are really the cause of a startling 26% of MOT failures. These are among the easiest items to review for your test, and you can do them in a few minutes. As you drive, get help and have a friend check your external lights. After that, make sure all of the dashboard and interior lights are on.

2. A suspension

Suspension accounts for eighteen percent of failures, which is not unexpected considering that most drivers in the UK certainly encounter potholes at least once every week.

It can be a bit tricky to assess this, so if you're concerned, a professional pre-MOT examination can be useful. However, you should still listen out for any strange sounds, especially while turning curves and over uneven terrain.

3. Brakes

Defective brakes are responsible for 17% of MOT failures and can be a speedy route to failure, despite being one of the most important safety features. When applying your brakes, keep an ear out for any grinding or squeaking sounds, since these might be signs of excessive wear. For more information, see our article on inspecting brake pads. If your car rolls a lot before coming to a stop when you use the handbrake on a hill, you should definitely ask your repairer to have a look at it.

4. Wheels

Your tyres are the sole part of your body in contact with the ground; they also support the weight of the automobile and its occupants. Twelve percent of failures are related to tyres.

Tyre tread depth is legally required to be at least 1.6 mm, however you may quickly ascertain this with the 20p coin test. Just place a coin between the tyre tread; if the outside rim of the coin is hidden, the tread should be OK.

In addition to checking for any physical flaws or damage, your tyre should be properly inflated or deflated.

5. Visibility

Even though it would seem that being able to see the road is a necessary skill for driving, poor eyesight caused 8% of MOT failures.

There are several factors that might impair a driver's eyesight on the road, so it's not just a chip or scratch on your windscreen that can make you fail. This might be caused by any obstacle at the back or by defective or broken wipers on the windscreen.

If your car doesn't pass its MOT, what should you do?

It's not the end of the world if your car fails its MOT since you can get another one done. As long as your automobile is mended and returned within ten days, the cost of a second MOT test is cut in half.

Unless you have a small issue, it is definitely banned to drive without a MOT Newbury certification.

What happens if the MOT test is failed?

This is what happens when you fail an MOT test:

The test facility will issue a "refusal of a MOT test certificate" to you.

The MOT database will have a record of it.

In the event that you believe the outcome is incorrect, you may file an appeal.

You may withdraw your car if:

There are still several days remaining until your MOT expires.

None of the "dangerous" issues were present in your automobile.

After the vehicle has been serviced, you have the option to retest the MOT. The majority of service facilities waive the MOT retest charge if you get it serviced and tested within a certain amount of time. They may impose a little cost after that.

What are the penalties of not having a valid MOT?

Your car's ability to operate effectively and within the government-established standards is demonstrated by your current MOT certificate. Hence, failing to get a MOT certificate or having no MOT results in a penalty.

If authorities stop you and you are unable to present a valid MOT certificate, you might be fined up to £1,000. Furthermore, your auto insurance is ruled void, therefore you will be responsible for paying for any repairs if you sustain any damage.

Operating a vehicle with a failed MOT might result in legal issues and hefty fines from the authorities. The only place you may drive without a MOT is to the service facility. If the police want to see proof of appointment, you will need to provide it.