Understanding MOT Advisory Notes

The Evolution and Purpose of MOT Advisory Notes

In the United Kingdom, the MOT (Ministry of Transport) test is a crucial annual inspection designed to ensure vehicles are roadworthy and meet minimum safety and environmental standards. Alongside the pass or fail result, motorists often receive advisory notes. These notes, which have been a feature of the MOT process for decades, provide valuable insights into a vehicle's condition beyond the immediate pass/fail criteria. While they are officially recorded on the MOT computer system, their issuance and content are not always strictly mandated by regulations, leading to a system that can be both helpful and, at times, confusing for drivers.

The Genesis of Advisory Notes

The introduction of advisory notes stemmed from a need to improve the transparency and fairness of the MOT testing process. Historically, MOT testers faced a rather rigid disciplinary system. If an examiner believed a component had not been adequately inspected, the tester could be penalised, regardless of their professional judgment. To address this, the Vehicle Inspectorate (now part of the DVSA - Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency) recognised the value of allowing testers to document wear on testable components that, while not causing an immediate failure, indicated potential future issues. This served a dual purpose: it provided evidence that the item had indeed been inspected, and it offered motorists a clearer understanding of why certain minor defects didn't result in an outright failure. Over time, some testing stations even developed their own supplementary advisory note systems outside the formal MOT process to further inform their customers.

Advisories: A Window into Future Issues

A key function of advisory notes is to highlight items that are currently within the legal limits for passing the MOT but are showing signs of wear. The MOT test is a snapshot of a vehicle's condition on a specific day. An advisory note can alert a driver that, for example, their brake pads or tyres are only just meeting the minimum legal requirement. This information is invaluable, as it allows the motorist to plan for future maintenance and avoid potential failures in the coming months. It shifts the focus from a simple pass/fail to a more proactive approach to vehicle care.

'Dangerous to Drive' Defects: A Critical Distinction

Historically, 'dangerous to drive' defects were clearly indicated on a special red MOT certificate. Since the computerisation of the MOT system in 2005, these are still flagged, but the prominence has changed. What becomes particularly perplexing for motorists is when a 'dangerous to drive' advisory accompanies a certificate that states the vehicle has passed. This often occurs with non-testable items. For instance, a severely worn universal joint on the prop-shaft of a rear-wheel-drive vehicle could 'pole vault' and cause a serious accident. While this is undoubtedly a dangerous defect, the universal joint itself might not be a specifically 'testable item' within the strict confines of the MOT regulations. In such cases, the 'danger box' entry on the MOT computer is essentially another form of advisory note, highlighting a critical safety concern that falls outside the standard testable components.

The Informal Nature of Advisory Notes

A significant aspect of the current advisory system is its informal nature. Apart from a suggested menu of advisories available on the MOT computer system, there are no rigid rules governing their issuance, content, or wording. It is not compulsory for a tester to issue advisories, and consequently, there's no formal training on their use. While DVSA trainers encourage testers to use advisories to demonstrate that components have been inspected, the decision to issue them, what to advise on, how to phrase that advice, and whether a component is indeed in a dangerous condition, all rest entirely at the discretion of the individual tester. The only official guidance is the limited menu provided on the MOT computer. This informality, while potentially beneficial by allowing for tailored advice, can also lead to considerable confusion and inconsistency.

Conflicting Interests and Inconsistencies

The informal nature of advisories can create conflicting interests, particularly when testing stations have relationships with dealerships. For example, a testing station servicing a car dealership might face pressure from the sales department to issue clean MOT certificates with no advisories, to enhance the perceived value of used cars. Conversely, the service and repair departments might welcome a high number of advisories, as they can be used to justify recommending further work to customers. This creates a situation where the same testing station might have differing expectations depending on which department within a dealership a vehicle originates from. Beyond this, inconsistencies between different testing stations can also confuse motorists. Without uniform guidelines, what one tester might deem an advisory, another might not, leading to a lack of consistency that erodes public trust in the system. Some motorists mistakenly believe an MOT pass certificate guarantees their vehicle's safety for the entire year, making advisory lists a source of anxiety rather than helpful guidance.

Categories of Advisory Notes

Despite the informality, advisory notes generally fall into several identifiable categories:

Degree of Wear

This is perhaps the most common category. It alerts the driver to components that are showing wear but still meet the minimum MOT standard. Examples include tyre tread depth nearing the 1.6mm limit, brake pads or discs close to their wear limit, and play in steering or suspension joints. The goal is to provide a 'heads up' and, ideally, a discussion with the tester about the expected lifespan before replacement is necessary.

Corrosion

Assessing corrosion can be challenging. Testers may note 'extensive surface corrosion' or 'repair coated in underseal' to document the condition of the vehicle on the day. This is important because corrosion can deteriorate rapidly, and it can sometimes be masked by underseal or filler, making accurate assessment difficult. These advisories provide a record for future reference.

Inspection Difficulties

In some instances, plastic covers or other obstructions can make it difficult or impossible for a tester to properly inspect a component that is legally required to be tested. An advisory note in this situation documents the inspection difficulty, ensuring that the tester has met their obligation to attempt the inspection.

Non-Testable Items

This category is crucial for understanding potentially dangerous defects that are not explicitly covered by the MOT test itself. If a vehicle is road tested to check the brakes, a problem with the clutch or gearbox might become apparent. Similarly, a worn prop-shaft UJ, as mentioned earlier, is a safety concern but not a standard MOT testable item. Advisories for non-testable items can be invaluable for identifying potential issues that could impact safety or reliability. They can also serve to confirm the identity of a vehicle or to document a defect that was present at the time of the test, should any disputes arise.

Quirks and Foibles

Sometimes, advisories are used to note minor cosmetic or structural peculiarities, such as a dent in a wing or surface rust on a door. While not safety-critical, these can be useful for uniquely identifying a vehicle, especially if there are questions about its originality or history during a DVSA appeal inspection.

The Impact of EU Regulations and Future Changes

The landscape of MOT advisories is set to change with the implementation of new European Union MOT directives. These regulations, effective from May 20th, 2017, aim to formalise a specified list of 'advisories' and provide clearer definitions for 'dangerous to drive' defects. However, it's important to note that these changes are primarily focused on listed 'testable items'. The EU directive introduces three levels of MOT failure: 'Minor', 'Major', and 'Dangerous'.

• Minor Failures: These are broadly equivalent to current advisory notes, where a pass is still issued. Not all testable items will have this option; some will always result in a failure.
• Major Failures: These require rectification before a pass can be issued.
• Dangerous Failures: These indicate an immediate risk and prohibit the vehicle from being driven.

For some components, the severity of the defect can dictate the failure level. For example, brake fluid levels might be a 'Minor' infringement if slightly low, a 'Major' failure if significantly below the 'Min' mark, and a 'Dangerous' failure if there's no visible fluid at all. Similarly, a missing fluid reservoir cap or a faulty fluid level warning light would be classified as a 'Minor' failure, akin to an advisory. The challenge for the DVSA and the Department for Transport will be to translate these EU directives into clear, actionable guidance for testers.

Navigating the Future of Advisories

The new EU directives address advisory notes on 'testable items' to some extent, providing a framework for the DVSA to integrate them into the Testers Manual. However, issues concerning potentially dangerous, non-testable items remain a grey area, and further guidance from the DVSA would be beneficial. There's also a potential for contradictions between 'Prohibitions' issued during roadside checks and the MOT itself. Formalised advisory notes could potentially bridge this gap, especially when defects pose a risk to road safety – the core purpose of the MOT.

Conclusion: Towards a Modernised MOT Scheme

The current system of MOT advisory notes is far from perfect. Used car dealers are often keen to avoid them, while fast-fit centres may encourage customers to address all advisories, and dealership service departments see them as revenue opportunities. Testing stations value them as a record of inspection. While advisories can genuinely benefit motorists by offering a broader understanding of their vehicle's condition, they also cause confusion for those who misunderstand the MOT's fundamental principle: it is a test of a vehicle's minimum safety standard on the day of inspection. It is time for the DVSA, the MOT trade, and the wider motor industry to collaborate and thoroughly reconsider the purpose, scope, and application of advisory notes within a future, modernised MOT scheme. Clearer guidelines and consistent application are essential to ensure that advisories serve their intended purpose of enhancing road safety and providing valuable information to motorists.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the difference between an MOT advisory and a fail?

An MOT fail means the vehicle does not meet the minimum safety standards and cannot be legally driven until the issues are rectified and it passes a re-test. An advisory note indicates a component is within the legal limits for the MOT pass but shows signs of wear or potential future issues that may require attention soon.

Are MOT advisories legally binding?

No, MOT advisories are not legally binding in the same way a failure is. They are recommendations for future maintenance. However, they are officially recorded and can indicate potential safety concerns.

Can I be fined for not acting on MOT advisories?

You will not be directly fined for ignoring an MOT advisory. However, if the condition of the advised component deteriorates to a point where it becomes a safety hazard or fails the legal requirements, you could face penalties if stopped by the police or if the vehicle subsequently fails an MOT.

Why do some cars have more advisories than others, even if they are similar models?

This can be due to several factors, including the vehicle's age, mileage, previous maintenance history, driving conditions, and the individual tester's interpretation and application of advisory guidelines.

Are advisories on non-testable items important?

Yes, advisories on non-testable items are particularly important as they highlight potential safety risks that are not explicitly checked during the standard MOT. These are often noted because the tester has observed a condition that could lead to danger or failure of a related, testable component.

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