Common MOT Fails & How to Avoid Them
- MOT
- Maintenance
- Car ownership
FixMyCar reveals the most common MOT fails and what you can do to pass first time.
Book an MOT nowEllie Dyer-Brown
Thursday September 26 2024
6 min read
Every car that is more than three years old must pass an annual MOT test (unless it was made before 1960). Unfortunately, not every car passes first time. The pass rate is around 70% and rises following a re-test.
So, what are the most common MOT fails, and what can you do to increase the chance of passing first time? Find out in this guide.
MOT Fail List
Here are the top five MOT failure categories according to the DVSA:
Lights and signalling - 18.9%
Suspension - 13%
Brakes - 10%
Tyres - 7.7%
Driver's view of the road - 7.2%
MOT checklist
Now you know the most common reasons for MOT fails, what can you do to reduce the chance of your vehicle not passing its next test? Use our handy checklist.
Check your tyre tread with a 20p ☑️
To carry out the 20p test, place the coin into the tyre tread grooves. If you can't see the coin's outer band, then you are above the legal tread limit of 1.6mm. Find out more about tyre tread here.
This guide explains the process in more detail.
Check all lights are working ☑️
Check all the internal and external lights are working (including indicators). Ask a friend or family member for help if you're finding it difficult to do this on your own. Flickering lights could be a sign of something more serious like battery or alternator failure.
Top up fluid levels ☑️
Before heading to the test centre, top up your fluid levels where necessary as this can make all the difference. This applies particularly to engine oil and coolant. It's worth checking whether there are any leaks that need repairing while doing this.
Find out how often you should change your engine oil.
Test your brakes ☑️
When braking, ensure the vehicle doesn't pull to the side. Any squeaking or grinding noises should be investigated as they usually indicate a problem that will worsen over time if left unfixed. It’s also worth carrying out a visual inspection of the brakes themselves.
Here are five brake problems you shouldn't ignore.
If your car rolls down hills despite the handbrake being applied, you should get a mechanic to check and potentially tighten it.
No chips on the windscreen ☑️
Your windscreen must be clear of large chips and cracks. Inspect your windscreen wipers closely for things such as tears in the rubber, as this could also cause you to fail. Anything obstructing the driver's view could jeopardise your chances of passing the first time.
Read our ultimate guide to car windscreens for more information.
Test the horn ☑️
Give your horn a quick blast to check it still works as this is tested in your MOT.
Check your vehicle identification number ☑️
The vehicle identification number (VIN) in your car's V5C logbook should match the one stamped on the bodywork. This guide explains everything you need to know about VIN numbers.
How to avoid MOT failure
The best way to avoid MOT failure is to prepare in advance. Not only should you carry out the checks recommended above, but it might also be worth booking a service and MOT simultaneously. Doing so will ensure your vehicle is in the best possible condition before the test.
What to do if your car fails its MOT
It's a frustrating and often disappointing experience when your car fails its MOT, but there's no need to despair. Providing you have the repairs completed within ten days, the re-test cost is halved. However, the cheapest option is to have the repairs carried out at the same garage where the test was completed; this way, the re-test will be free of charge.
Frequently asked questions
MOT faults fall into three categories: major, minor and dangerous. Major faults are dangerous defects which pose a safety risk - one example could be that three brake lights aren't working on a vehicle.
Dangerous faults pose an immediate risk to the safety of the driver and passengers. A car with a dangerous fault should not be driven under any circumstances as it is not roadworthy.
MOTs must be carried out annually; when you pass your test, the certificate is valid for a year.
When your car has failed its MOT, a partial retest involves only checking the things which initially caused it to fail. This is only necessary if you take your car from the original testing centre for repairs and take it back within 10 working days.
You can do an MOT check to find out your vehicle's status here: https://www.whocanfixmycar.com/mot-check
If your car was made before 2003, this won't be a failure. However, if your vehicle was manufactured more recently, an engine management light is a major fail, so you should take it to a garage as soon as possible.
Yes, the airbag light counts as a major fail.
As long as the test is carried out before your vehicle's current MOT certificate expires and there are no 'dangerous' faults listed, you can still drive until the certificate runs out (you can book a test up to a month before it expires). However, you cannot drive the car if your MOT certificate has expired. Testing on the day that your certificate expires allows you to drive under two specific circumstances. You can take your car to a testing centre for an MOT that has been booked in advance, and you can take your car to be repaired and re-tested after it has failed.
Is it almost time for your car's MOT? Find a trusted local garage using FixMyCar.
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Written by Ellie
Ellie is FixMyCar's Content Writer. She has over three years of experience writing about cars and regularly collaborates with automotive experts to provide trustworthy advice for drivers that is easy understand. Her work has been featured in Yahoo! Finance, iNews, The Daily Express and The Sun. She has a BA in English literature and an MA in creative writing from Durham University. Outside of work, Ellie follows F1 and eagerly awaits Ferrari's next era of dominance in the sport. She drives a Suzuki Swift.