Once your MOT test has concluded, you will receive one of four test results:

• Pass with no defects
• Pass with advisories
• Pass with minor defects
• Fail with major or dangerous defects

MOT pass with no defects

This mean that the tester detected no faults during the test and your vehicle is completely safe to drive. Regular servicing and maintenance can help you maximise your chances of getting an MOT pass with no defects.

Your MOT certificate will look like this:

MOT pass with advisories / MOT pass with minor defects

An advisory is like a warning – they’re not an immediate risk but should be monitored and repaired when necessary. An example of an advisory on your MOT could be ‘brake pads slightly worn’.

A minor defect on your MOT certificate means that the fault found is not severe enough to fail the test, but should be repaired as soon as possible.

Minor defects can’t cause an MOT failure, no matter how many are found. Examples of minor defects found during an MOT include ‘defective wiper blades’ or ‘brake fluid below minimum mark’. Here’s a list of all the minor defects that can be found during an MOT.

If your tester identifies any minor defects or advisories during your MOT test, your MOT certificate will look like this:

MOT failure with major or dangerous defects

When an MOT tester finds one or more dangerous or major faults during the MOT, your vehicle will fail the MOT test. All faults identified during an MOT test will be listed within the MOT certificate.

A major fault is a defect that could potentially become dangerous or impact the environment if it is not repaired. If a major fault is identified, the vehicle will fail the MOT test, but the driver is allowed to take the vehicle to a different garage for repairs. Examples of major faults found during an MOT could include ‘a headlamp is likely to become detached’ or ‘brake fluid is significantly below minimum mark’.

A dangerous fault is one that presents an immediate risk to road safety or has a serious impact on the environment. A vehicle with a dangerous fault cannot be driven on the road until the fault is repaired. For example, if a vehicle’s bonnet is at risk of opening inadvertently, or a shock absorber is likely to become detached – the MOT tester will stop the test immediately and you will fail the MOT.

If a vehicle fails its MOT test, the driver will receive an MOT refusal certificate, also known as a VT30.

Your MOT certificate will look like this: