MOT Bodywork Checks: What Fails?

The annual MOT test is a crucial part of vehicle ownership in the UK, ensuring your car meets essential roadworthiness standards. While many drivers focus on mechanical components like brakes and steering, the condition of a vehicle's bodywork also plays a significant role. Understanding what aspects of your car's exterior can lead to an MOT failure is vital for avoiding unexpected costs and ensuring your vehicle is safe. This article delves into the specifics of bodywork inspections during the MOT test, highlighting common reasons for failure and providing guidance on what to look out for.

What is the MOT Bodywork Inspection?

The MOT test isn't just about what makes your car move; it's a comprehensive safety inspection. The bodywork aspect of the test focuses on ensuring the vehicle's structure is sound and that there are no sharp edges or protruding parts that could pose a danger to other road users or the driver. Testers are looking for signs of significant corrosion, damage, or modifications that compromise the vehicle's integrity and safety. It's important to remember that the MOT isn't a test of the vehicle's cosmetic appearance, but rather its structural safety and the absence of hazards.

Common Bodywork Failures

Several common bodywork issues can result in an MOT failure. These are generally categorised into structural integrity and potential hazards:

1. Corrosion (Rust)

Corrosion is perhaps the most frequent cause of bodywork-related MOT failures. The testers specifically examine certain areas for excessive rust:

• Chassis: The main structural frame of the vehicle. Significant corrosion that weakens the chassis is a definite fail. This includes holes or deep pitting.
• Sills: The panels running along the bottom of the car, between the wheel arches. These are prone to rust due to road salt and debris. If they are heavily corroded or have holes, it's a fail.
• Wheel Arches: The area around the wheels. While minor surface rust might be acceptable, deep corrosion or holes will lead to failure.
• Bulkhead: The panel separating the engine bay from the passenger compartment. Corrosion here can affect structural rigidity and is taken very seriously.
• Suspension Mountings: Any corrosion that affects the integrity of where suspension components attach to the body is a critical fail.

It's important to distinguish between minor surface rust, which may be acceptable, and structural corrosion, which will cause a failure. Testers will check if the corrosion has penetrated the metal to the point where it compromises the strength of the component.

2. Damage and Deformation

Significant damage to the vehicle's bodywork can also lead to an MOT failure:

• Cracked or Missing Panels: Large cracks or missing sections of body panels, particularly those that could affect structural integrity, can be a fail.
• Protruding Parts: Any sharp edges, broken trim, or protruding parts that could injure pedestrians or other road users are prohibited. This includes badly damaged bumpers or wing mirrors that are loose or sharp.
• Loose Body Panels: If panels like doors, bonnets, or boot lids are not securely fastened and could detach, this will result in a failure.

3. Modifications and Alterations

While modifications can enhance a vehicle, they must be carried out to a standard that doesn't compromise safety. Some modifications that might fail:

• Non-Standard Body Kits: If a body kit is poorly fitted, has sharp edges, or compromises the vehicle's structural integrity, it could fail.
• Ride Height: Extremely low or high suspension modifications that cause bodywork to foul the road or suspension components can be a fail.
• Roll Cages: If a roll cage is fitted, it must be installed correctly and not obstruct the driver's view or access to safety equipment.

4. Doors, Boot and Bonnet

These essential components must operate correctly and securely:

• Opening and Closing: All doors, the bonnet, and the boot must open and close from both the outside and inside.
• Security: They must be able to be secured shut. Latches and catches must be effective.
• Visibility: The bonnet and boot must not obstruct the driver's view when closed.

5. Windscreen and Other Glass

While not strictly 'bodywork' in the sense of panels, the condition of glass is part of the exterior inspection:

• Windscreen Damage: Cracks or chips in the windscreen within the driver's direct line of sight (an area 8mm wide on the driver's right and a 10mm wide band across the bottom) will cause a failure. Damage in other areas might also fail if it significantly obstructs vision.
• Other Glass: Side windows and rear windows must not be excessively damaged or cracked in a way that could shatter.

What is NOT a Reason for MOT Failure (Bodywork)?

It's important to understand that the MOT is primarily a safety test, not a cosmetic one. Minor cosmetic issues that do not affect safety or structural integrity will generally not result in a failure:

• Minor Dents and Scratches: Small dents and scratches that haven't penetrated the metal or created sharp edges are usually acceptable.
• Surface Rust: Light surface rust on non-structural areas is unlikely to cause a failure.
• Paintwork: Peeling or chipped paintwork is generally fine, as long as it doesn't reveal significant corrosion underneath or create a hazard.

Preparing Your Car for the MOT: Bodywork Checklist

To give your car the best chance of passing its MOT with regard to bodywork, consider the following:

Pre-MOT Inspection: Before taking your car to the test centre, conduct a thorough visual inspection yourself. Get down and look underneath, check the wheel arches, and examine the sills. Pay close attention to areas where rust commonly forms.

Address Known Issues: If you know your car has minor rust spots, consider treating them before the test. While a small patch might not fail, a large, gaping hole certainly will. Professional repair might be necessary for more serious corrosion.

Check for Sharp Edges: Ensure no trim is missing or damaged in a way that creates a sharp edge. Secure any loose parts.

Cleanliness: While not a direct failure point, a clean car allows the tester to see any potential issues more easily. Mud and dirt can hide corrosion.

Table: Common Bodywork Failures vs. Acceptable Issues

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Will a small patch of rust on my door cause my car to fail its MOT?

A: It depends on the severity. If the rust is only surface-level and hasn't penetrated the metal or created any sharp edges, it's unlikely to fail. However, if the rust has caused holes or significantly weakened the panel, it will likely fail.

Q2: My car has a dent in the bumper. Will it fail its MOT?

A: A minor dent in a bumper is usually acceptable, provided it hasn't created any sharp edges or the bumper is still securely attached. If the dent has caused the bumper to become loose, cracked, or has sharp protrusions, it could lead to a failure.

Q3: Is it worth repairing minor bodywork issues before the MOT?

A: If you suspect the minor issues could be borderline, it's often worth addressing them. A small investment in repair or treatment can prevent a costly failure and the need for a re-test.

Q4: Can a poorly fitted aftermarket body kit cause an MOT failure?

A: Yes. If the body kit has sharp edges, is insecurely fitted, or compromises the vehicle's structural integrity, it can definitely cause an MOT failure.

Q5: Does the MOT tester check the entire car body for rust?

A: The tester checks specific structural areas for corrosion, including the chassis, sills, suspension mounting points, and bulkheads. They are not expected to dismantle parts of the car to find hidden rust, but any obvious structural corrosion in these key areas will be assessed.

Conclusion

The bodywork inspection is a critical part of the MOT test, focusing on safety and structural integrity. While minor cosmetic blemishes are generally overlooked, significant corrosion, damage leading to sharp edges, or insecure panels are common reasons for failure. By understanding these points and performing a basic pre-MOT check, you can significantly increase your car's chances of passing and avoid unexpected expenses. Regular maintenance and addressing rust issues promptly are key to ensuring your vehicle remains roadworthy and safe.

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