MOT failures

If your vehicle has recently failed its MOT and you’re wondering, “What happens next?”, don’t worry—you’re not alone.

An MOT failure can leave many drivers unsure about the legalities of driving afterward. It’s crucial to have a plan in place to avoid driving illegally. Please call us on 01234 215 500 as we can help you to get back on the road safely.

How common are MOT failures?

Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) statistics from July to September 2019 reveal that over 30% of all vehicles experienced an initial MOT failure. Specifically, over 30% of all Class 3 and 4 vehicles failed MOTs.

While everyone hopes for a smooth MOT pass, these tests are thorough, and many factors can lead to failure. Driving without an MOT is illegal. In this guide, we explore the reasons behind MOT failures, common issues that cause failures, and what steps to take if your vehicle fails its MOT and needs a service or retest.

Need us to check and book you in for an MOT? Provide us your details and we’ll give you a call to discuss the best availability at your convenience. 

Reasons for MOT Failure

Changes made to the MOT test criteria in 2018 mean that defects are now classified as dangerous, major, minor, or advisories rather than simply passing or failing. Whether a vehicle fails its MOT depends on this classification.

  • Dangerous Defects: A car with a dangerous defect will fail its MOT and cannot be driven under any circumstances—not even to an MOT test center or workshop for repairs. The law requires that the defect be repaired before the car is driven.
  • Major Defects: Major defects cause MOT failure, but the vehicle can still be driven if the old MOT certificate is valid. If it has expired, the car can only be driven to a workshop with a pre-arranged appointment, and proof of the appointment must be shown to the police if stopped.
  • Minor Defects: A minor defect does not cause an MOT failure. These are defective components that do not require an immediate repair and retest, although the government advises repairing them as soon as possible.
  • Advisories: An advisory is for parts that are not currently broken but will likely require repair soon, whether as a minor, major, or dangerous defect.

The specific MOT failure reasons and their classifications will be shown on the VT30 form provided by the MOT test center. Visit the government’s website to see an example.

Common MOT Failures

Certain parts of vehicles commonly experience MOT failures due to design, wear, and other factors. Based on DVA data for cars and vans from 2019, the most common MOT fail defects include:

  • Lamps, Reflectors, and Electrical Equipment: This category accounted for over 25% of all defects. Given the complexity and reliance on electrical systems in modern cars, these components are more likely to fault than other mechanical parts.
  • Suspension: Suspension systems made up almost 20% of all MOT failure defects, often due to the impact of potholes and uneven road surfaces.
  • Brakes: Braking systems comprised over 15% of all defects leading to MOT failure, reflecting the heavy use of brakes, especially in urban driving conditions.
  • Tyres: Tyres, constantly in contact with the road and affected by British weather, caused over 10% of failure defects since 2019.
  • Visibility: Issues related to visibility, including the condition of glass, wipers, and washers, accounted for almost 10% of MOT failure defects.

Specific Questions About MOT Failures

  • Are Worn Brake Discs an MOT Failure Reason? Yes, a brake disc worn below its minimum thickness is a major fault and will result in an MOT failure. A loose brake disc is a dangerous defect, preventing the car from being driven until repaired. A brake disc nearing its minimum thickness will result in an advisory note.
  • Is a Windscreen Crack an MOT Failure? Yes, a crack in front of the driver larger than 10mm or elsewhere on the windscreen larger than 40mm will result in a major or dangerous failure, depending on severity. Smaller cracks are classified as minor faults. Scratching, discoloration, and excessive tinting can also be classified as dangerous, major, or minor defects.
  • Will My Car Fail Its MOT if My Spare Tyre is Bald? If the spare tyre is not fitted to the axle, it will not be inspected during the MOT. If fitted, a bald spare tyre can lead to an MOT failure as all tyres must be compatible and in good condition. A non-road-legal spare tyre is of no use and should be replaced.
  • Will My Car Fail Its MOT if the Front Fog Lights Are Broken? Front fog lights are inspected if the car was first used on or after March 1, 2018, and rear fog lights if the vehicle was first driven on or after April 1, 1980. If these lights are required, ensure they are working before the MOT test.
  • Is a Broken Number Plate Light an MOT Failure? Yes, broken number plate lights constitute a major MOT failure as they are crucial for identifying vehicles at night or in poor weather. Coloured number plate lights are also illegal and will cause an MOT failure.
  • Can an Oil Leak Fail My MOT? An oil leak creating a pool larger than 75mm in diameter within five minutes, which poses an environmental hazard or safety risk, will result in a major or dangerous MOT failure mark.

What to Do Next if You Fail Your MOT

If your car fails its MOT, you need to book a retest. Please do call us on 01234 215 500.

Check passed MOT 

It’s important to have a vehicle that is safe and roadworthy. This is why there are annual MOT checks with some exemptions on certain criteria however for the 99% of motorists, an MOT is absolutely necessary. 

Looking to buy a car or just to check the history whether your car has passed or failed an MOT see the link below.

Get your MOT booked in today with Auto Fit Bedford.

Need us to check and book you in for an MOT? Provide us your details and we’ll give you a call to discuss the best availability at your convenience. 

Be roadsafe
With Auto Fit Bedford, we can have you booked in for an MOT at your earliest convenience to ensure your car is roadworthy and safe for you and your passengers.
Done in the hour
Did you know an MOT can be completed as little as an hour. We have great Wi-Fi and seating area. We also have a genuine Italian Pizzeria next door.

Got an MOT coming up? Checks to do.

Brakes

Ensure your braking system is in good working condition. The brakes should feel firm and provide confidence in your ability to stop at any moment.

If the car pulls to one side when you apply the brakes, this indicates a problem that needs attention before your MOT. For vehicles with alloy wheels, you may be able to visually inspect the braking system without removing the wheel. Look for excessive wear on brake pads or pitted brake discs, as these are signs that your brakes may need replacing.

Modern cars often have brake pad sensors, so check your dashboard for any alerts.

Additionally, test your handbrake to ensure it is strong enough to hold your car stationary, particularly on an incline. Alternatively, you can bring your car to Auto Fit Bedford, and we can test your brakes and handbrake for you.

Call for brakes

Brakes 

Ensure your braking system is in good working condition. The brakes should feel firm and provide confidence in your ability to stop at any moment.

If the car pulls to one side when you apply the brakes, this indicates a problem that needs attention before your MOT. For vehicles with alloy wheels, you may be able to visually inspect the braking system without removing the wheel. Look for excessive wear on brake pads or pitted brake discs, as these are signs that your brakes may need replacing.

Modern cars often have brake pad sensors, so check your dashboard for any alerts.

Additionally, test your handbrake to ensure it is strong enough to hold your car stationary, particularly on an incline. Alternatively, you can bring your car to Auto Fit Bedford, and we can test your brakes and handbrake for you.

Tyres

Make sure your tyres are properly inflated by referring to your vehicle handbook for the correct tyre pressures or by using our tyre pressure checker. Ensure the tread depth is at least 1.6mm around the entire tyre and inspect for any physical damage, particularly around the edges and sidewalls.

We personally recommend 3mm to 4mm as a minimum as this ensures good contact and grip is made especially in wet and snowy conditions.

A simple way to check your tread depth is by using the 20p test. If you notice any unusual wear, it could indicate a problem. Bring your car to us for a free tyre check to ensure they are safe. Tyre issues are the leading cause of MOT failures, so it’s crucial to check them in advance!

Call for tyres checks

Tyres

Make sure your tyres are properly inflated by referring to your vehicle handbook for the correct tyre pressures or by using our tyre pressure checker. Ensure the tread depth is at least 1.6mm around the entire tyre and inspect for any physical damage, particularly around the edges and sidewalls.

We personally recommend 3mm to 4mm as a minimum as this ensures good contact and grip is made especially in wet and snowy conditions.

A simple way to check your tread depth is by using the 20p test. If you notice any unusual wear, it could indicate a problem. Bring your car to us for a free tyre check to ensure they are safe. Tyre issues are the leading cause of MOT failures, so it’s crucial to check them in advance!

Windscreen & Wipers

Ensure you check the window washer fluid, as this can cause your MOT to fail. This can be a concentrated mix which can be purchased easily from multiple shops and petrol stations.

In addition to checking your windscreen for faults, it’s also important to assess the wipers. Your wipers and washers should be in good condition to provide a clear view of the road ahead. If your wipers are splitting or your washer feed is blocked, these issues need to be addressed before your MOT.

If you need new set of wiper blades, call us at 01234 215 500, and we can order and fit new ones for you.

Any chip or crack in your windscreen larger than 40mm will result in a failed MOT. For the driver’s side, the allowance is even smaller; any damage larger than 10mm in the area covered by your driver-side wiper will lead to a failure.

Call for windscreen & wipers

Windsreen & Wipers

Ensure you check the window washer fluid, as this can cause your MOT to fail. This can be a concentrated mix which can be purchased easily from multiple shops and petrol stations.

In addition to checking your windscreen for faults, it’s also important to assess the wipers. Your wipers and washers should be in good condition to provide a clear view of the road ahead. If your wipers are splitting or your washer feed is blocked, these issues need to be addressed before your MOT.

If you need new set of wiper blades, call us at 01234 215 500, and we can order and fit new ones for you.

Any chip or crack in your windscreen larger than 40mm will result in a failed MOT. For the driver’s side, the allowance is even smaller; any damage larger than 10mm in the area covered by your driver-side wiper will lead to a failure.

Lights

Ensure all your lights are functioning properly. This includes headlights, sidelights, indicators, brake lights, and the number plate light. To check the brake lights, you might need assistance from a friend or family member, or you can back your car up to a wall and check the reflections.

Unsecured light mounts can also lead to MOT failure, so make sure there are no unsecure lights on your car. Bulbs may have clips or have to be fitted a specific way or may not line up correctly.

Call for light checks

Lights

Ensure all your lights are functioning properly. This includes headlights, sidelights, indicators, brake lights, and the number plate light. To check the brake lights, you might need assistance from a friend or family member, or you can back your car up to a wall and check the reflections.

Unsecured light mounts can also lead to MOT failure, so make sure there are no unsecure lights on your car. Bulbs may have clips or have to be fitted a specific way or may not line up correctly.

Exhaust

Listen for any excessive noise or rattling while your vehicle is running, as this may indicate a problem with the exhaust system that could lead to a failed MOT. Another simple check is to see if there’s smoke coming from the exhaust. While some smoke is normal on startup for diesel engines, excessive smoke may signal an issue.

Additionally, if you notice fuel or oil leaking from the exhaust, it likely indicates an engine problem. It’s always worth getting your vehicle's health checked at Auto Fit Bedford.

Call for exhaust checks

Exhaust

Listen for any excessive noise or rattling while your vehicle is running, as this may indicate a problem with the exhaust system that could lead to a failed MOT. Another simple check is to see if there’s smoke coming from the exhaust. While some smoke is normal on startup for diesel engines, excessive smoke may signal an issue.

Additionally, if you notice fuel or oil leaking from the exhaust, it likely indicates an engine problem. It’s always worth getting your vehicle’s health checked at Auto Fit Bedford.

Interior checks

Ensure that all your seatbelts are the correct length and in working order. Each seatbelt should lock when pulled sharply.

Your horn will be tested during the inspection, so it must be loud enough to be heard by other road users. A quick honk should confirm if it’s working.

Finally, the warning lights on your dashboard are part of the test. Make sure they all light up when you start the car and go out before you begin driving. If any warning lights remain lit, address the issues or have your car checked before your test.

Test all your interior lights by pressing the button manually or opening the door if your vehicle is set up in this way.

Call for interior checks

Interior Checks

Ensure that all your seatbelts are the correct length and in working order. Each seatbelt should lock when pulled sharply.

Your horn will be tested during the inspection, so it must be loud enough to be heard by other road users. A quick honk should confirm if it’s working.

Finally, the warning lights on your dashboard are part of the test. Make sure they all light up when you start the car and go out before you begin driving. If any warning lights remain lit, address the issues or have your car checked before your test.

Test all your interior lights by pressing the button manually or opening the door if your vehicle is set up in this way.

Mirrors

Your mirrors must be intact, secure, and free of cracks. Cracked or smashed mirrors can cause you to fail an MOT, so ensure any damaged mirrors are replaced before your test.

You can often find replacement mirrors for your car make and model online, but replacements must be securely fitted and not loose. If you’re unsure about replacing a mirror, call us at 01234 215 500, and we can supply and fit it for you.

Call for mirror checks

Mirrors

Your mirrors must be intact, secure, and free of cracks. Cracked or smashed mirrors can cause you to fail an MOT, so ensure any damaged mirrors are replaced before your test.

You can often find replacement mirrors for your car make and model online, but replacements must be securely fitted and not loose. If you’re unsure about replacing a mirror, call us at 01234 215 500, and we can supply and fit it for you.

MOT FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions about MOT.

If you cannot find the answer below, please use the contact form or send us an email to info@autofitbedford.co.uk

An MOT test is a legally mandated annual inspection for all vehicles in the UK that are over 3 years old (and some that are over 1 year old). This test adheres to stringent standards set by the DVSA to ensure your car is safe and roadworthy.

During the MOT test, an accredited tester from the DVSA will perform a thorough inspection to ensure your vehicle is in roadworthy condition.

Any vehicle older than 3 years must have a valid MOT test certificate, which needs to be renewed annually. If your vehicle is less than 3 years old, you don’t need an MOT test until it reaches its third anniversary from the date of first registration. After this point, it is your responsibility to ensure the MOT is renewed every 12 months.

Certain vehicles, such as ambulances and taxis, are required to undergo an MOT test after just 1 year.

An MOT certificate is typically valid for 12 months from the expiration date of your previous certificate, not from the date of the test. This distinction is important to remember to ensure you are not driving with an expired MOT. You can find the expiry date on your current MOT test certificate.

Without a current MOT certificate, you will be unable to drive your vehicle lawfully or renew your road tax. The penalty for not having a valid MOT certificate is a fine of up to £1,000, however, if your car has failed the test and is deemed as ‘dangerous’, driving this vehicle could result in a fine of up to £2,500 and 3 points on your licence. For your car to be classed as dangerous following its MOT test, it either poses an immediate risk to road safety or has a serious impact on the environment due to its emissions.

There are specific rules about how early you can take your car for its annual MOT test. The inspection can be conducted up to 28 days before the expiry date shown on your current MOT certificate. This means that if you take your vehicle for its test 28 days early, your MOT will effectively be valid for 13 months, ensuring you don’t lose any days for testing earlThere are specific rules about how early you can take your car for its annual MOT test. The inspection can be conducted up to 28 days before the expiry date shown on your current MOT certificate. This means that if you take your vehicle for its test 28 days early, your MOT will effectively be valid for 13 months, ensuring you don’t lose any days for testing early. For example, if your MOT certificate expires on 20th July, you can take your car for the next test anytime between 22nd June and 20th July. The new certificate would then be valid until 20th July of the following year.

For example, if your MOT certificate expires on 17th January, you can take your car for the next test anytime between 17th January and 14th February. The new certificate would then be valid until 14th February of the following year.

If you’re asked to produce your MOT certificate after an accident and it isn’t up to date, your car insurance claim could be affected, particularly in cases of injury. Additionally, the DVSA’s recent computerisation of the MOT testing system allows police and mobile camera units to check remotely if your vehicle has a current MOT. They can use your number plate to access their database and may stop you if your MOT is invalid.

Just arrange a booked time beforehand to guarantee an MOT appointment by calling Auto Fit Bedford on 01234 215 500 and pop in. That’s all!

The MOT test takes approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour to complete. We have seating seating and free WiFi, allowing you to carry on working or be comfortable whilst we carry out your MOT.

There is a pizzeria next door which makes the best genuine Italian pizzas!

Just like petrol and diesel vehicles, electric and hybrid vehicles also require a valid MOT certificate if they are 3 years old or more. The key difference is that electric vehicles do not need an emissions test, so this part of the MOT test is omitted.