Has your car ever failed its MOT? We understand how frustrating it can be when you end up having to pay for additional work you hadn’t previously budgeted for. We want to make things easier for you. So, we've compiled a list of the most common reasons your car could fail its MOT along with our top 10 tips for you to avoid this happening to you in the future.
Remember - if your MOT is due soon, sort it fast by downloading Caura. You can also book a car service or any repair work if you need to!
When does a car need an MOT?
Any car over three years needs to pass an MOT test every year. The test will act as an annual check-up on your car to make sure that it’s still safe to drive on the road. MOT tests do not detect vehicle health issues such as problems with the clutch or engine that could cause a vehicle breakdown in the future.
Find out more about what gets tested when your car goes for an MOT here.
It’s particularly important to remember that driving without an MOT is illegal. If caught, drivers could face up to £1,000 in fines in addition to points on your licence.
The four most common reasons your car could fail its MOT
1. Lighting and signalling
The most common cause of MOT failures is due to blown bulbs. Checks are done on all your vehicle’s lights, including the fog lights, indicators, and rear reflectors. Here’s what you can do to make sure you meet the test requirements:
2. Suspension issues
Springs, shock absorbers, suspension arms and joints will all be inspected during an MOT. This is one of the trickier ones to check yourself, but if it’s possible, double check both front and rear suspenders by making sure:
3. Tyres
Your tyres must have a tread depth of at least 1.6mm to pass your MOT [1]. Key issues involving tyres include:
Conducting a basic check by walking around the car to check for any tyre damage is encouraged.
For a more thorough check of tyre tread, we highly recommend doing the '20p tyre test'. The way the test works is simple:
4. Brakes
Another common reason for MOT failures is faulty brakes. Checks are done to ensure:
Make sure to test all three things before sending your car for an MOT.
10 MOT pre-checks you can do yourself to minimise the risk of failing your test
We understand some checks can be quite tricky, so we've made a list of 10 checks you can do before you send your car off for its MOT:
Book an MOT via Caura
Got an MOT due? Download Caura, head to the MOT tab and book an MOT near you!
In Caura, you can also manage upcoming renewals for things like your car tax and car insurance. We’ll send you reminders for when they’re due, and you can sort them directly in-app, too.
Download Caura on the Apple App Store of Google Play Store today!
[1] Tyre tread depth