When your car goes in for its annual MOT test, there are a lot of thing that can go wrong.
Sure, it might pass with flying colours, but there are so many potential mechanical issues that can throw a spanner in the works. That’s why it’s important to know – and prepare against – everything can can cause an MOT failure.
What Is Checked On An MOT Test?
The following is the complete checklist of everything that will be tested and needs to be in good working order for your car to be safe.
- Body, vehicle structure & general items
- They should be free from corrosion and other damage, with no sharp edges that could cause injury.
- Towbars
- They will be inspected to determine secureness, condition & any repairs or modifications that have been made.
- The speedometer, 13 pin electrical socket & engine mountings will also be checked over.
- Fuel system
- It will be inspected for leaks, loose fittings or degradation & whether the fuel cap seals properly.
- Exhaust emissions
- A standard emissions test will be completed to see if your car is producing too much pollution.
- Exhaust system
- It should be free from leaks and have all of the required parts, including a catalyst when there should be.
- Seatbelts
- They should be in good condition, work properly and attached securely.
- Seats
- They will be checked that they are firmly secured in the vehicle and can be fixed in position, with the driver’s seat being adjustable.
- Doors
- The latch, hinges & catches should be secure when the door is closed, and the doors should be openable from the outside (and inside in the front).
- Mirrors
- A minimum number of mirrors needs to be present, and they need to be in working condition.
- Load security
- The boot or tailgate should be able to close securely.
- Brakes
- Their condition will be inspected, the anti-lock braking & electronic stability control will be tested and the overall performance of the brakes will be assessed.
- Tyres & wheels
- Their condition, fitting, tread size & tread depth will be examined.
- Registration plates
- The condition, attachment, colour & character spacing will be checked to ensure everything is legal.
- Lights
- The dipped & full-beam headlights should be in working order, aimed directly in front of the car and clean.
- Bonnet
- It should close securely.
- Wipers & washers
- They should work well enough to keep the driver’s vision clear.
- Windscreen
- The condition of the windscreen should not impede the driver’s view of the road.
- Horn
- It should be suitable for the vehicle and work properly.
- Steering & suspension
- They should be in good working condition with appropriate levels of fluids, with no damage or ill-fitting to piping.
- VIN (Vehicle Identification Number)
- A VIN should be displayed.
- Electrical
- Electrical wiring & the vehicle’s battery will be checked.
What Should I Do If I Think My Car Will Fail Its Upcoming MOT?
If you think your car will fail, you can delay the test (provided you actually have time left on your existing MOT certificate) or you can go ahead with it.
Most garages offer free retests, so it’s not the end of the world if you put it through the test with your fingers crossed, only for it to fail. Alternatively, you could postpone your test and get the car repaired.
The cost of repairs will vary wildly based on what is actually wrong with your car. But, you could be looking at anything from a few quid for a change of wiper blades, up to several thousand pounds for pricey part swaps like catalytic converters or gearboxes.
What Are Dangerous Defects?
Dangerous defects are listed on your MOT summary and will result in a fail. Not only that, but they’ll also mean you can’t drive your car at all – not even to a different garage to get the repair work done.
These faults are the worst of a bad bunch, and should you suffer one of these during your next MOT test you might be looking at a hefty bill to fix the problem. However, MOT technicians don’t give out dangerous defects for no reason; these faults are ones that will cause genuine danger to either yourself, your passengers, or other road users.
Some examples include problems with:
- Brakes
- Tyres
- Seat belts
- Suspension
- Windscreen
- Exhaust
- Warning lights
That last one might seem a bit less dangerous than all the rest, but if your dashboard lights are failing to notify you of another serious problem, then that becomes a danger in itself.
Is It Worth Fixing Dangerous Defects?
If you want the car to be good for anything besides scrap or salvage, you’ll need to get these fixed. However, it’s entirely possible that it won’t actually be financially worthwhile to repair it. If this is the case with your old car, get a quote from us and sell it as scrap or salvage instead of investing more money into it!
How Can I Make Sure My Car Passes Its MOT?
There’s no silver bullet answer to this question unfortunately, but regular maintenance and servicing are key to keeping any car on the road. You should also pay special attention to the follow areas of your motor, which is where the most common MOT fails occur and trip up thousands of people each year:
- Check that all of your lights are working – Failing because of a silly little lightbulb can be a pain. Sure, it’s easy & cheap to fix, but that failure is on the car’s record forever.
- Make sure your tyres are legal – If even one of your tyres is below the legal limit of tread, or is damaged, your car will fail. Get the tyre(s) replaced ahead of the test for a first-time pass.
- Fill your washer fluid – This is one of the simplest reasons for failing an MOT imaginable! If your car doesn’t have washer fluid in its reservoir, it won’t pass the test.
- Remove custom decorations – People like to personalise their stuff, and that often extends to their cars. Anything on the outside that could be deemed a danger to other road users (like ornaments) or anything inside that restricts your road view will result in an MOT fail.
We strongly advice checking for these yourself and if you have time, completing a full MOT preparation check, before you send the car in.
What Are The Categories Of An MOT Fail?
Here is a breakdown of MOT issue classifications. Not all result in a fail, so it’s important to broadly understand which faults result in a MOT fail.
As of 2018, there are four categories of problems that your faulty car might fall into.
Your car will pass with…
Advisories
These have been around for a long time now. They indicate things that are not yet faulty, but will soon become faulty.
Minor defects
These are current problems with your vehicle, but they’re not serious enough for it to fail the MOT test.
Your car will fail with…
Major defects
These are problems that are serious and need to be repaired before the test can be passed. However, they will not prevent you from driving your car away if your existing MOT certificate is still valid.
Dangerous defects
These are the most serious problems of all, and will mean that your car cannot leave the test centre, except on the back of a tow truck – You cannot legally drive it until the faults are fixed.
