Is Your Car MOT Ready?

The Hidden Risks Drivers Ignore Before Their Test

Spring is here, the mornings are brighter, and MOT season is back with a bang. But beyond the usual queue at the garage, the MOT reminds us: your car’s condition is more than just annual paperwork—it’s a vital gauge of road safety. Yet DVSA data reveals a worrying trend: drivers are overlooking simple, preventable faults. Here’s what’s going wrong, why it matters now, and how you can pass your MOT with confidence.

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Brakes & Suspension: A Dangerous Duo

Brakes—grip, pads, pedals—account for 6–7% of failures, with some deemed ‘dangerous’ nearly one-third of the time . Suspension faults are just behind, bringing in another high failure rate.

Yes, brake checks in an MOT aren’t just visual—they involve road testing. Deteriorated discs, spongy hydraulics, or excessive pedal travel can all flag a fail. Similarly, worn-out shocks or loose anti-roll bars won’t just fail an MOT—they’ll compromise handling and comfort throughout the year.

Other Common Failures

Additional factors include:

• Steering issues (~1.8–1.9% failure)
• Visibility faults: wipers, washers, windscreen damage (~4–5%)
• Body corrosion: heavily corroded chassis or sharp edges (~3.3%)
• Emissions & leaks: old exhausts and leaking systems (~3%)

While fewer in number, these defects carry significant risk. A stone chip over 1 cm in the windscreen, for instance, can trigger a fail—even though not immediately apparent on the pavement.

Policy in the Pipeline: MOT Reforms

Noteworthy is the Government’s recent statement: first MOT remains after three years, with annual testing thereafter—modernisation is still under review.

Proposals like biennial testing have been floated, particularly in Northern Ireland. But industry bodies like IGA warn reducing frequency risks letting substandard vehicles slip through..

Meanwhile, an emerging conversation targets classic vehicles over 40 years old, which are currently exempt. Many experts and public respondents argue that optional safety checks or tailored MOTs should be introduced. These shifts could reshape MOT norms entirely in the coming years.

Practical Tips to Avoid an MOT Fail

Here’s a checklist you can tackle a week before your MOT:

1. Tyre check: tread ≥ 1.6 mm; no bulges/cracks; correct pressures.
2. Lighting: test every bulb; clean lenses; check beam alignment.
3. Brakes: monitor pedal firmness; listen for squeaks; book a brake inspection.
4. Suspension: visit the garage for bounce test if ride feels rough or drifty.
5. Steering & visibility: check wipers, washers, windscreen; no chips in driver’s view.
6. Body & structure: look undercarriage; check wheel arches for hidden rust.
7. Leaks & emissions: inspect under car; replace cracked hoses.
8. Documentation: ensure V5C, previous MOT certs, and VIN plate are visible and legal.

Get ahead of the rush—once spotted, a simple part swap can be done quickly and cheaply before the test.

Case Study: A Spring MOT Saved

Take Sally, a commuter from Leicester. She booked her April MOT but forgot about uneven tyre wear. On test day:

•            The technician flagged rear tyres with 1.5 mm tread.

•            Tyres were replaced that afternoon.

•            Re-test in two days—pass!

Rather than a £100+ fail plus brake, new tyres cost £160 including fitting—but SPOT instead of fail saved her time, money, and possibly a penalty.

Industry Voices & Cautionary Tales

MOT testers themselves have reported “ghost MOTs”: pass certificates issued for non tested cars.

DVSA is piloting stricter measures—timed photos with plate visibility—to verify actual testing.

Garage associations caution that lengthening MOT intervals may open doors for faults gone unnoticed. The IGA warns: “a reduction in MOT frequency risks undermining decades of progress in keeping unsafe … vehicles off the road”

Weekend drivers, daily commuters, classic car lovers—this article’s for you. MOTs are not a bureaucratic box-ticking exercise, but a crucial checkpoint. With spring’s surge in testing and imminent policy changes, consider:

•            Mirroring MOT prep with seasonal service

•            Actively maintaining tyres, lights, brakes

•            Keeping ahead of reform: biennial and classic car testing could be here before you know it

No reader here, from first time driver to seasoned petrolhead, should be caught off guard—or inadvertently take an unroadworthy vehicle onto UK roads.

Looking Ahead: What You Can Do

•            Book early: garages fill fast in April–June.

•            Use a garage pre-check: often free or low cost.

•            Value the advisory: ignored tyre and light warnings remain the leading repeat fail categories.