Warning lights on your dashboard are never a good sign, but what if they pop up right before your car gets its MOT? Which warning lights will result in failure?
Read on to find out which ones you really need to worry about.
Can A Car Pass An MOT With A Warning Light On?
Yes, it can. However, there’s a very good chance it won’t!
Certain lights will be an immediate fail (and we’ll explain which ones in this article). Others might be fine this year, but if left unchecked could become a serious problem in 12 months time.
Not sure what each light means? Take a look at our guide!
Which Warning Lights Will Automatically Fail An MOT Test?
Certain red lights, when lit up on your dashboard, will result in a fail for your car’s MOT test instantly. Save yourself the hassle (and the testing fee) by ensuring these lights, and the problems that cause them, are sorted out before you take it to the garage:
A red engine management light most likely means you’ve got serious problems with your car. Your MOT will be failed instantly, but you might even discover after some investigating that you’re better off scrapping your car than paying for repairs!
Find out why an engine light can be such bad news come MOT time here.
Your ABS light indicates that there’s a problem with your car’s traction control. Since ABS must legally be installed on all new cars (as of 2004) it’s clearly a very important safety feature, and any problems should be dealt with as soon as possible. An ABS light on the dashboard is an instant fail, so learn what to do if this light comes on.
Like ABS, airbags are another safety feature that’s revolutionised the automotive industry. Your insurance company might invalidate your policy if you drive around without operating airbags, and similarly, your MOT tech will immediately fail your car if this light is on.
What Should I Do After My Car Fails Its MOT
If dashboard warning lights have caused your car to fail its MOT test, you’ll need to address the problems that made them flash up. Otherwise, your car will fail immediately all over again if you put it in for a retest.
Should I MOT My Car With A Warning Light On?
In general, you probably shouldn’t. If your car is displaying any kind of warning light, it means there’s something wrong with it.
Warning lights usually indicate a problem that will impact the performance of the vehicle, so the car will likely fail its MOT test.
How Much Does It Cost To Fix A Warning Light Problem?
This depends entirely on the type of problem you’re dealing with. Something serious, like an engine problem, can cost thousands – especially on certain cars, like Land Rovers or the infamous 1.0 ‘EcoBoom’ Fords.
Lesser problems will be simpler (and cheaper) to fix. Certain sensors, for example, can need replacing. These will be cheap to buy and relatively easy to install, so shouldn’t cost too much – a few hundred pounds at most.
How Can These Problems Be Prevented From Happening Again?
If a light comes on on your dashboard, there’s something wrong with your car, even if you don’t know what the problem is.
Take a few steps backwards and think about what you could have done differently to stop these problems from arising in the first place; usually, the answer is ‘better vehicle maintenance.’ This can be anything from getting it regularly serviced all the way down to simple things like checking fluid levels. You should also keep your eyes peeled for any signs of wear & tear that seems to be reaching worrying levels.
