Most common reasons for MOT failures revealed

Most common reasons for MOT failures revealed

Data from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) shows that non-working headlights, indicators and reflectors accounted for just over a quarter (25.5%) of all MOT failures.

Faulty or broken suspensions represented just under a fifth (19.4%) of failures, with problems with brakes (17%) and tyres (12%) being the third and forth reasons for MOT failures, according to analysis by the RAC.

Poor visibility from cracks or chips on the windscreen was the fifth most common reason for MOT failures at 8.7%. Problems with brakes and tyres are far more likely to lead to the most serious failures, according to the DVSA.

It is estimated that a third of all initial MOT tests of cars, vans and small passenger vehicles (equating to 7.3m vehicles) resulted in a fail and required drivers to pay for remedial repair work.

Nearly one-in-ten tests, or 8% (equivalent to 2.4m vehicles) result in a fail where at least one dangerous defect had been found. In these most serious cases, where an examiner decides that a vehicle cannot be driven until that defect is repaired, brakes and tyres represent 88% of those failures. The proportion of tyre failures has increased to 12% in 2021-22, up from 10% in 2018-19.

This emphasises just how important it is to carry out routine checks on these parts. While it is a good idea to check your vehicle before your MOT, you should be regularly carrying out checks and vehicle maintenance to make sure your vehicle is in good working order. All cars require an MOT three years after first registration and annually thereafter.

Nicholas Lyes, Head of roads policy at RAC, states: “Many drivers dread taking their vehicle for its annual MOT for fear they could end up having to spend lots of money on repairs in order to get it to pass. This is no doubt the case for an unlucky third of owners whose vehicles fail their MOTs initially.

“Drivers should never ignore dashboard warning lights as they could end up putting themselves or others at risk and costing themselves a lot of money with a bigger repair bill than necessary had they acted straightaway. Additionally, routine servicing helps reduce the chance of a vehicle failing its MOT as it includes a host of important basic checks.

“It’s also advisable to have someone check rear lights and indicators are working if the vehicle does not have modern dashboard warning lights. Keeping tyres properly inflated and having a smooth driving style will often help prolong the life of the rubber. And if something doesn’t sound or feel right, to get checked at a trusted garage as soon as possible.

“Understanding the cost pressures that so many households are under at the moment, we decided to launch our new MOT and Service Plan, which lets drivers spread the cost of two years’ worth of servicing and MOTs, resulting in one affordable monthly payment. What’s more, drivers in the West Midlands, Manchester, Sheffield and Liverpool needn’t worry about taking their vehicle to the garage for a service as they can now book one of our Mobile Mechanics, who can do the work on a driveway or at a place of work.”

Last year, the UK government was reportedly considering changing the MOT from annually to every two years.

This was met with a mixed response, with over half of drivers (55%) thinking it was a bad idea according to data gathered by the RAC Opinion panel.

Nicholas Lyes added: “With more than 7.3m small passenger vehicles initially failing their MOTs, and alarmingly around 2.4m of these failures having at least one dangerous defect, the idea of relaxing rules on MOT tests could very well result in making our roads far more dangerous with the number of unroadworthy vehicles increasing. We hope the Government has finally consigned such an idea to the bin.”

What is Tested During an MOT?

An MOT is an annual check that makes sure that your vehicle meets road safety and environmental standards.

MOT stands for Ministry of Transport, who originally created the test as a means to determine if a car is safe for road use. There is a list of standard tests and checks that are performed on every vehicle during this process.

Nearly half of all faults found during an MOT could have been avoided by carrying out simple checks and maintenance beforehand, to make sure everything is in working order.

It should be noted that the test does not cover the condition of the engine, clutch or gearbox.

The car parts tested include:

• Boot
• Towbar
• Exhaust Emissions
• Doors
• Mirrors
• Exhaust system
• Horn
• Brakes
• Tyres, wheels and TPMS
• Bonnet
• Registration plates
• Electrical wiring and battery
• Lights
• Wipers and washers
• Steering and suspension
• Seatbelts/SRS
• Fuel system
• Body/Vehicle structure/general items
• Seats

You can check the date of when your next MOT will be due on your previous MOT certificate.

You can also use the GOV.uk tool to enter your vehicle registration number and make to confirm. This will check both your MOT status and tax status in a matter of seconds.

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