15/08/2003
- Failing Your MOT: What Happens Next?
- Understanding the MOT Test Results
- What are the Immediate Consequences of Failing?
- Reasons for Failure
- Common Reasons for MOT Failure
- What to Do After Failing Your MOT
- The Importance of Advisories
- Can I Drive My Car After Failing?
- What if My Previous MOT Has Expired?
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Conclusion
Failing Your MOT: What Happens Next?
The annual MOT test is a crucial part of vehicle ownership, ensuring your car, van, or motorcycle meets road safety and environmental standards. While most vehicles pass with flying colours, it's not uncommon for some to fail. So, what exactly happens if your vehicle doesn't pass its MOT? This guide will walk you through the process, from understanding your failure reasons to getting your vehicle legally back on the road.
Understanding the MOT Test Results
When your vehicle undergoes an MOT test, the results are categorized into three types:
- Pass: Congratulations! Your vehicle meets the minimum requirements. You'll receive an MOT certificate, and you can continue driving legally.
- Advisory: This is not a fail, but the tester has identified items that are showing signs of wear or deterioration but do not yet fail the test. These items will need attention in the near future to prevent them from becoming more serious issues and potentially causing a fail on a future MOT. It's highly recommended to address advisories promptly.
- Fail: Unfortunately, your vehicle has failed to meet the required standards. The tester will provide you with a 'Refusal of an MOT Test Certificate' (VT30) detailing the reasons for the failure.
What are the Immediate Consequences of Failing?
The most significant consequence of failing an MOT test is that your vehicle is no longer legally permitted to be driven on public roads from the day after its previous MOT expires. Driving a vehicle without a valid MOT certificate is an offence and can result in a hefty fine, penalty points on your licence, and even your vehicle being impounded by the police. The only exception is if you are driving the vehicle to a pre-booked appointment at a place of repair or an MOT test centre.
Reasons for Failure
MOT failures can stem from a wide range of issues. These are typically categorized into 'Dangerous' and 'Major' defects:
Dangerous Defects
These are issues that pose an immediate and direct risk to road safety or have a serious impact on the environment. If your vehicle has a dangerous defect, it cannot be driven under any circumstances until it is repaired and re-tested.
Major Defects
These are defects that are serious enough to potentially compromise vehicle safety, affect performance, or harm the environment. While not as immediately critical as dangerous defects, they still require repair to pass the MOT.
Common Reasons for MOT Failure
While the specific reasons can vary, here are some of the most common culprits:
| Category | Common Issues |
|---|---|
| Lighting and Signalling | Faulty headlights, brake lights, indicators, or number plate lights. Incorrectly aimed headlights. |
| Brakes | Worn brake pads or discs, low brake fluid, faulty brake pipes, or ineffective braking performance. |
| Tyres | Tyres with insufficient tread depth (below 1.6mm), damaged or perished tyres, or incorrect tyre size/type. |
| Visibility | Cracked or damaged windscreen, faulty windscreen wipers or washers, or restricted visibility for the driver. |
| Suspension | Worn shock absorbers, damaged suspension springs, or loose suspension components. |
| Exhaust and Emissions | Excessive smoke, faulty catalytic converter, or emissions exceeding legal limits. |
| Structure and Bodywork | Significant rust or corrosion in structural areas, damaged or missing body panels, or sharp edges. |
| Seatbelts | Damaged, worn, or non-functioning seatbelts. |
| Steering | Worn steering components, loose steering rack, or excessive play in the steering wheel. |
What to Do After Failing Your MOT
Once you've received your VT30 certificate, you have a few options:
- Repair and Re-test at the Same Centre: If you leave your vehicle at the test centre for repairs, they can conduct a partial re-test. This means they only re-inspect the items that failed. If the repairs are completed within one working day of the original test, the re-test is usually free. If you take the vehicle away and bring it back later, a full MOT fee will likely be charged again.
- Take it Elsewhere for Repairs: You can remove your vehicle from the test centre and take it to another garage for repairs. Once repaired, you will need to book a new, full MOT test. Remember, you can only drive the vehicle to a pre-booked MOT appointment.
The Importance of Advisories
Don't underestimate the importance of advisories. While they don't cause an immediate fail, they are early warnings of potential problems. Ignoring advisories can lead to:
- Increased Repair Costs: Small issues can escalate into more expensive problems if left unattended.
- Future MOT Failures: What is an advisory today could be a fail tomorrow.
- Compromised Safety: Even minor wear can affect your vehicle's performance and safety.
It's wise to schedule repairs for advisory items as soon as possible. This proactive approach can save you money and hassle in the long run.
Can I Drive My Car After Failing?
As mentioned, you can only legally drive a vehicle that has failed its MOT if:
- You are driving it to a pre-booked appointment at a place of repair.
- You are driving it to a pre-booked appointment for an MOT re-test.
In both these scenarios, the vehicle must have a valid MOT certificate from the previous year. You cannot use the vehicle for any other purpose, such as commuting to work or running errands.
What if My Previous MOT Has Expired?
If your previous MOT has expired and your current one fails, you are not allowed to drive the vehicle on public roads at all, except to a pre-booked repair appointment or re-test appointment. If you need to move the vehicle, you will need to arrange for it to be towed or transported.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: How long do I have to get my car repaired after failing the MOT?
There's no strict time limit for repairs, but you cannot drive the vehicle on public roads if its previous MOT has expired. You'll need to get it repaired and re-tested before you can legally drive it again.
Q2: Can I sell a car that has failed its MOT?
Yes, you can sell a car that has failed its MOT, but you must disclose the failure to the buyer. It's generally advisable to repair the vehicle before selling, as it will likely fetch a better price and be more attractive to potential buyers.
Q3: What happens if the MOT garage finds more problems during the repair?
If the garage discovers additional issues during the repair process that were not part of the original failure, they will inform you. These new issues will need to be addressed to pass the MOT, and you may incur additional costs.
Q4: Is the MOT certificate taken away if the car fails?
No, the MOT certificate is not taken away. You will receive a 'Refusal of an MOT Test Certificate' (VT30) which details the reasons for failure. The original MOT certificate (if valid) remains with you until its expiry date, but driving the car after that expiry date without a new valid MOT is illegal.
Q5: Can I drive my car on the road if it has advisories?
Yes, you can drive your car if it has advisories, as these are not failures. However, it is strongly recommended to address them to maintain the safety and reliability of your vehicle and to avoid future MOT failures.
Conclusion
Failing an MOT test can seem daunting, but understanding the process and your responsibilities is key. By addressing the issues promptly and ensuring your vehicle is repaired to the required standards, you can get back on the road safely and legally. Remember, the MOT is there to protect you and other road users, so taking it seriously is paramount.
If you want to read more articles similar to Failing Your MOT: What Happens Next?, you can visit the MOT category.