04/05/2025
Understanding MOT Failures: What Went Wrong?
It's a common concern for any car owner, especially a first-time buyer, to encounter an MOT failure. You've found a car that catches your eye, it's within budget, and you're excited about the prospect of driving it. However, a quick look at its MOT history reveals a potential hiccup: it failed its test, and then, a month later, it passed, albeit with a list of advisories. This situation can be confusing and, understandably, raises questions about the car's reliability and potential future costs. This article aims to demystify MOT failures, explain the common reasons behind them, and guide you on what to look for when buying a used car with a history of advisories.
The MOT, or Ministry of Transport test, is an annual safety inspection for vehicles over three years old in the UK. It ensures your car meets roadworthiness and environmental standards. While a pass certificate is reassuring, a failure indicates that certain components do not meet the required standards. Let's delve into the specific issues mentioned in the MOT history provided to understand why a car might fail, and then pass, a test.
Deconstructing the MOT Failures
The MOT history you've provided shows a pattern of issues that are important to understand. A vehicle can fail an MOT for several reasons, categorised into 'dangerous defects' (requiring immediate repair and prohibition from driving), 'major defects' (requiring repair as soon as possible), and 'minor defects' which are noted as advisories for future attention.
September 2022 Failure: The Critical Issues
The initial failure in September 2022 highlighted several critical problems:
- Dangerous Defects:
- Front Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick: This is a significant safety concern. Brake pads act as the friction material that slows your car down. When they wear down to 1.5 mm or less, they are dangerously close to metal-on-metal contact, severely compromising braking performance and potentially damaging the brake discs. This is a clear indicator of urgent brake system maintenance being required.
- Front Inner Brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened: This often goes hand-in-hand with worn brake pads. If the pads have worn down significantly, the metal backing plate can grind against the brake disc, causing deep scoring, warping, or thinning. A weakened brake disc can lead to brake failure.
- Major Defects:
- Nearside Rear Axle swivel pins and bushes excessively worn: Swivel pins and bushes are crucial components of the suspension and steering system, particularly in older or more robust vehicle designs. Excessive wear here can lead to imprecise steering, poor handling, and can even affect wheel alignment, making the car unstable and unsafe. This requires immediate attention to the suspension.
- Offside Rear Axle swivel pins and bushes excessively worn: The same applies to the opposite side of the rear axle. Having both sides worn indicates a more widespread issue with the axle components.
October 2022 Pass: What Changed?
The vehicle passed the MOT a month later. This suggests that the critical 'dangerous' and 'major' defects identified in September were rectified. Specifically, the brake pads and discs would have been replaced, and the worn swivel pins and bushes would have been repaired or replaced. The fact that it passed indicates that the essential safety standards were met for the re-test.
Remaining Advisories: A Look Ahead
However, the pass certificate came with a list of advisories:
- Nearside Front Inner Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge: This means the tyre tread depth is approaching the legal minimum of 1.6 mm, or the wear is uneven, indicating potential alignment issues. Driving on tyres close to the limit is illegal and unsafe, especially in wet conditions.
- Offside Front Inner Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge: Similar to the nearside tyre, this points to a need for tyre replacement.
- Offside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s): The steering rack converts the steering wheel's rotation into the sideways motion of the wheels. Play in the inner joint (track rod end) means there's excessive looseness, which can lead to vague steering, difficulty in maintaining a straight line, and premature wear on other steering components. This is a key area for steering system checks.
- Steering column universal joint has slight wear or play: Universal joints (UJs) in the steering column allow for angle changes between components. Slight wear is noted, which might not be immediately dangerous but could worsen over time, affecting steering feel and precision.
July 2021 MOT History: A Precedent?
The history from July 2021 also shows a similar pattern of initial failure followed by a pass with advisories. Let's break that down:
- Initial Failure (July 2021):
- Major Defect: Nearside Rear Stop lamp(s) not working: A non-functioning stop lamp is a safety issue as it warns following traffic of braking.
- Advisories: Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored; Front Inner Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge; Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing; Rear Axle swivel pins and bushes slightly worn.
- Second Pass (July 2021): The vehicle passed with the same advisories. This is indeed a bit strange if the stop lamp wasn't fixed. It's possible the stop lamp was a quick fix, and the advisories were simply noted for future attention. The persistence of worn tyres and suspension components (swivel pins/bushes) across different MOTs is a strong indicator of ongoing maintenance needs.
Why Did it Fail a Second Time (Implied)?
The question implies that the car is now being considered for purchase, and the concern is about its recent MOT history. If the car failed in September and passed in October, and you are now considering it, the question is more about the *implications* of that history. If, however, you are asking why a car that *just passed* an MOT might have issues, it's important to understand that an MOT is a snapshot in time. The advisories are crucial here. The car passed because the dangerous and major defects were fixed. The advisories, however, highlight components that are showing signs of wear and may require attention in the near future.
The fact that advisories related to tyres and steering components have appeared across multiple MOTs (July 2021 and October 2022) suggests a pattern. It implies that these items may not have been fully addressed or that they are wearing out at a rate that warrants regular monitoring. For a first-time buyer, this history raises a flag:
- Tyre Wear: Uneven tyre wear, especially on the inner edge, strongly suggests a wheel alignment problem. This needs to be rectified to ensure safety, even tyre wear, and proper handling.
- Steering Wear: Play in the steering rack and worn UJs can make the car feel less precise to drive and will eventually need repair. These are critical safety components.
What to Look for When Buying a Used Car with MOT History
When evaluating a car with a history like this, consider the following:
1. The Nature of the Failures: * Brake system failures are critical. While they were fixed for the October pass, it's worth ensuring the work was carried out by a reputable garage. Ask for receipts.
2. The Advisories: * Tyres: Check the current condition of all tyres. Are they evenly worn? Is the tread depth legal? If the advisories persist, expect to pay for new tyres soon. * Steering: During a test drive, pay close attention to the steering. Does it feel vague? Are there any knocking sounds when turning or going over bumps? * Suspension: The recurring mention of swivel pins and bushes indicates potential suspension wear. Listen for clunks or rattles, and feel for any instability during cornering or braking.
3. Receipts and Evidence of Repairs: * Always ask for proof of the repairs done to rectify the September failure. This could be an invoice from a garage. This verifies that the necessary work was completed.
4. Cost of Future Repairs: * The advisories are not immediate failures, but they are warnings. Factor in the cost of replacing tyres and potentially addressing the steering system wear. If the car is priced slightly lower than comparable models, it might be because these future costs are anticipated.
Table: Understanding Defect Categories
| Defect Category | Meaning | Action Required |
|---|---|---|
| Dangerous | Poses an immediate risk to road safety or has a severe impact on the environment. | Must not be driven until repaired. Re-test required. |
| Major | Can affect the safety of the vehicle or the environment; may not be immediately dangerous but needs to be repaired promptly. | Must be repaired as soon as possible. Re-test required. |
| Minor | A minor defect that does not pose a significant risk but should be repaired as part of regular maintenance. | Note as an advisory. Monitor and repair if necessary. No re-test required unless other defects are present. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Is it normal for a car to fail its MOT and then pass a month later?
A: Yes, it is normal. A failure means specific components do not meet the MOT standards. Once those components are repaired or replaced to meet the required standards, the vehicle can pass a re-test. The time gap (a month) simply indicates the period between the initial failure and the subsequent re-test after repairs.
Q2: What does it mean if a car has advisories on its MOT?
A: Advisories are issues that the MOT tester has identified as potential future problems. They are not failures on the day of the test, but they indicate wear and tear that may require attention soon. Ignoring advisories can lead to failures on future MOT tests or even breakdowns.
Q3: Should I be worried about advisories on tyres and steering?
A: Yes, you should be aware of them. Worn tyres and issues with the steering system are safety-critical. While they may not cause an immediate failure, they will likely need repair in the near future and could indicate underlying alignment or wear issues that should be investigated.
Q4: How much should I expect to pay for the repairs mentioned in the advisories?
A: The cost can vary significantly. Replacing a set of tyres can range from £200-£600+ depending on the size and brand. Steering components like track rod ends or steering rack joints can also be expensive, potentially costing several hundred pounds plus labour.
Q5: The car passed with advisories on tyres and steering in July 2021 and again in October 2022. What does this suggest?
A: This pattern suggests that either the issues were not fully resolved, or the components are wearing out quite rapidly. It's a good indicator that you should budget for these repairs soon after purchasing the car, or negotiate the price accordingly.
Conclusion: A Calculated Purchase
Buying your first car is an exciting milestone, and it's wise to be thorough. The MOT history you've detailed shows a vehicle that has had significant maintenance performed, particularly on its brakes and suspension. The advisories, however, are signals for future work. If the car is priced competitively, and you are prepared for the potential costs of replacing tyres and addressing steering wear, it could still be a viable option. Always conduct a thorough test drive, consider getting a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic, and always ask for service history and repair receipts. This diligence will help ensure you're making an informed decision and avoiding costly surprises down the line.
If you want to read more articles similar to Why Your Car Failed Its Second MOT, you can visit the Maintenance category.