Failed MOT? Here's What To Do

What to Do When Your MOT Certificate Fails

Receiving a 'fail' notification on your MOT certificate can be a stressful moment for any car owner. However, it's crucial to understand that a failed MOT doesn't mean your car is immediately illegal to drive. The key is to address the issues promptly and correctly. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process, from understanding the failure reasons to getting your vehicle back on the road and ensuring its roadworthiness.

Understanding Your MOT Failure

When your vehicle undergoes its annual MOT test, the examiner will provide you with a VT30 document. This document clearly outlines whether your vehicle has passed or failed. If it has failed, it will list the reasons for the failure. These reasons are categorised into two types:

• Dangerous Defects: These are faults that pose a direct and immediate risk to road safety or have a serious impact on the environment. If your vehicle has any dangerous defects, it is illegal to drive it on the road until the issues are repaired.
• Major Defects: These are faults that may affect the safety of your vehicle or potentially harm others. While you can still drive your car with major defects, it must be repaired before its retest.

It's also common to see 'Advisory Notices' on your MOT certificate. These are not failures but highlight issues that may become more serious in the future. It's wise to address these advisories at your earliest convenience to prevent them from becoming MOT failures in the future.

Your Options After a Failed MOT

Once you have your VT30 with the failure reasons, you have a few options regarding repairs and retesting:

1. Get Repairs Done at the Test Centre

The most straightforward option is to have the necessary repairs carried out by the same garage that conducted the MOT test. If the repairs are minor, they might be able to conduct a partial retest on the same day, or within a certain timeframe. This often involves re-testing only the specific items that failed.

2. Take Your Car Elsewhere for Repairs

You are not obligated to have the repairs done at the original test centre. You can choose to take your vehicle to a different garage or even carry out the repairs yourself if you have the necessary skills and equipment. However, remember that if your vehicle has dangerous defects, you cannot legally drive it to another garage. You will need to arrange for it to be towed.

3. Getting a Retest

After the necessary repairs have been completed, your vehicle will need to undergo a retest to ensure that the issues have been resolved. The cost and type of retest depend on when you present your vehicle for the retest:

• Retesting within 1 working day: If you leave your vehicle at the test centre for repair and it's retested the next working day, it may be a free partial retest, depending on the garage's policy and the nature of the repairs.
• Retesting after 1 working day (but within 10 working days): If you take your vehicle away for repairs and bring it back to the same test centre within 10 working days, you will typically only have to pay for a partial retest. This usually covers the items that failed the initial test.
• Retesting after 10 working days: If you return your vehicle to the same test centre more than 10 working days after the initial test, or if you take it to a different test centre, you will have to pay for a full MOT test.

It's essential to confirm the retest policy and charges with the test centre before leaving your vehicle for repairs.

Common Reasons for MOT Failure

Understanding the most frequent causes of MOT failure can help you proactively maintain your vehicle and potentially avoid a failed test. Here are some of the most common culprits:

Tyres

Tyres are a critical safety component. Common issues include:

• Tread Depth: The legal minimum tread depth for car tyres in the UK is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre's breadth. Worn tyres are a very common reason for failure.
• Damage: Cuts, bulges, or cracks in the tyre sidewall or tread.
• Incorrect Pressure: While not a direct failure point, significantly under or over-inflated tyres can indicate other issues and affect handling and wear.
• Mismatched Tyres: Tyres on the same axle should be of the same type, size, and construction.

Brakes

The braking system is paramount for safety. Failures can occur due to:

• Worn Brake Pads/Discs: Insufficient thickness or significant scoring on brake pads and discs.
• Brake Fluid: Low brake fluid levels or contaminated fluid.
• Brake Performance: Inadequate braking force on either the front or rear wheels, or uneven braking between the wheels on the same axle.
• Corrosion: Excessive corrosion on brake pipes or hoses.

Lights

All lights must be functioning correctly. Common issues include:

• Non-functioning Lights: Headlights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, and fog lights not working.
• Incorrect Colour: Headlights emitting a colour other than white or yellow, or rear lights emitting a colour other than red.
• Misaligned Headlights: Headlights that are aimed too high or too low.

Suspension

Components of the suspension system are regularly checked for wear and tear:

• Worn Shock Absorbers: Leaking or excessively worn shock absorbers can affect handling and braking.
• Damaged Springs: Cracked or corroded suspension springs.
• Loose or Damaged Ball Joints/Bushings: Excessive play or damage to these critical steering and suspension components.

Exhaust System

The exhaust system is checked for integrity and emissions:

• Leaks: Holes or cracks in the exhaust system, which can increase noise and emissions.
• Corrosion: Significant rust that weakens the structure of the exhaust.
• Mountings: Loose or broken exhaust mounts.
• Emissions: While not always tested in a standard MOT, excessive smoke or incorrect emissions can lead to a failure.

Visibility

Clear visibility is vital for safe driving:

• Windscreen: Cracks or chips in the windscreen that obstruct the driver's view, particularly in the 'wiping area' (the area swept by the windscreen wipers).
• Wiper Blades: Worn or damaged wiper blades that don't clear the windscreen effectively.

What About Advisory Notices?

Advisory notices are not failures, but they are important pointers from the MOT tester. They highlight potential issues that, while not currently causing your vehicle to fail, could lead to a failure in the future or affect its overall safety and performance. It is highly recommended to address these advisories as soon as possible. For example, a tyre with 3mm of tread might receive an advisory notice, and if you leave it, it could drop below the legal limit before your next MOT.

Driving with a Failed MOT

It is illegal to drive a vehicle that has failed its MOT test if it has 'dangerous' defects. If your vehicle has only 'major' defects or advisories, you can continue to drive it, but only under specific circumstances:

• You are driving to a pre-booked appointment at a garage for repairs.
• You are driving to a pre-booked MOT retest appointment.

In both these scenarios, you must not drive the vehicle if it has dangerous defects. If you are stopped by the police and your vehicle has failed its MOT and has dangerous defects, you could face penalties, including a fine and points on your licence. It's also important to note that your insurance may be invalidated if you drive a vehicle that is not roadworthy.

Keeping Your Vehicle in Good Condition

The best way to avoid MOT failures is through regular maintenance. Here are some tips:

• Regular Servicing: Follow your car manufacturer's recommended service schedule. This will help identify and fix potential problems before they become serious.
• Pre-MOT Checks: Consider having a pre-MOT check carried out by a mechanic. This can highlight common failure points and allow you to get them fixed before the official test.
• Visual Inspections: Periodically check your tyres, lights, and wipers yourself. Look for obvious signs of wear or damage.
• Fluid Levels: Ensure your oil, coolant, and brake fluid levels are topped up and clean.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Conclusion

A failed MOT is an inconvenience, not a catastrophe. By understanding the reasons for failure, knowing your options for repair and retesting, and committing to regular vehicle maintenance, you can ensure your car remains safe, legal, and reliable on the road. Stay proactive, address issues promptly, and you'll navigate the MOT process with confidence.

If you want to read more articles similar to Failed MOT? Here's What To Do, you can visit the Repairs category.