Why Do Cars Fail The MOT Test?

 Drivers in the UK have to bring their cars for an inspection every year. This is a compulsory inspection mandated by the government and is in place to ensure the roadworthiness of the cars and whether they are fit for driving or not, from both a safety and environmental perspective. Thus, one has to go for an MOT every year, as long as the car is three years old or more. 

During this inspection, millions of cars are checked and at an average 20 to 25% of them fail the test. This happens because the inspection brings to light at least something wrong with the car. Although you can pass the MOT with a few Minor faults, Major or Dangerous faults will result in a direct failure. If you want to learn more about the MOT and why cars fail this test, read about it in the blog we have put together. 

Can You Prevent An MOT Failure?

Let’s tackle the big question first, is it possible to prevent an MOT failure? The answer is, yes, it is not only possible but also quite easy. All you have to do is take good care of your car and go for regular car maintenance. Even better, you should go for a car repair in Birmingham just before you take the MOT test so that all the weak points of your car can get shored up. We also suggest doing DIY maintenance on your car periodically to keep it in shape. This will not only help you save money but also allow you to learn more about the car. 

Common Causes of MOT Failure

So, why do cars fail their MOT test, or rather, what are some of the common causes behind an MOT failure? We have come up with a list of car components, based on historical data from DVSA, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, which is the central authority behind the test, that were at the root of most of the failures, these are as follows:

Car Lights

When we talk about car components causing MOT failures, your car lights happen to be in the lead. Almost 30-40% of all MOT failures were attributed to faulty car lights, such as headlights, brake lights, taillights, indicators, and even cabin lights. Foggy glass, inoperable bulbs, and problematic wiring could cause problems for your car lights and lead to an MOT failure. 

Registration Plate

Although only 4-5% of all MOT failures are because of some sort of problem with your car’s registration plate, you can’t ignore the fact that even the registration plate can easily cause you to fail an MOT. This might be surprising for many drivers however, if the numbers on the registration plate are not clear or visible, then it will directly lead to an MOT failure. Moreover, the plate itself will be inspected for any cracks or damages. Sometimes you might even fail the test if the plate is bent.

Tyres

Tyres are yet another major culprit of MOT failure, contributing almost 10-15% of overall failures. When you go for an MOT in Birmingham, your tyres are scrutinized. They are inspected for not only any visible damage, such as cracks, cuts, or bulges but the tread depth and wear are also checked along with the tyre pressure. You should also note that as car owners, you need to maintain at least 1.6 mm of tread depth. Any less and you might be subjected to a fine of up to £2,500.

Windscreen Wipers

Yes, believe it or not, the wipers on your windscreen are considered a critical safety component of your car, thus a faulty wiper can cause you to fail the test. As per data, around 8-10% of all failures are attributed to the wipers. This includes in-operational wipers, damaged wipers, or problems with the rubber. However, you don’t have to worry about it as much. Replacing the rubber on your wipers is not only cheap but also quite easy and you can even do it yourself. 

Windscreen

How can we talk about windscreen wipers without bringing up the windscreen itself? Yes, you guessed it correctly, around 8-10% of MOT failures are due to the windscreen on your car. Any crack, small or big, can easily cause you to fail the test, especially if it is directly in the driver’s line of vision. However, a small crack or line in your windscreen won’t directly lead to an MOT failure, instead, it will be listed as a Minor fault, and you will be advised to get it repaired by the next MOT. 

Brakes

Then we have brakes that are behind almost 10-15% of all MOT failures. During the test, your brakes are looked at to see if they are functional or not. Moreover, the different brake components such as rotors, brake pads, and pedals are also checked. Brakes are deemed one of the most important car components for safety. Hence and problem with the brakes easily results in an MOT failure. 

Driver visibility problems

Next up, there are visibility problems, which are basically any obstruction in the driver’s line of view. This amounts to 5-10% of total MOT failures. Car owners need to ensure clear visibility as it is pertinent to safe driving. However, if there are any stickers or any other accessories that are blocking the vision of the driver, especially of the road, then it will lead to a failure. 

Exhaust system

And finally, almost 5-10% of the MOT failures amount to trouble in the exhaust system of a car and its emission levels. If the exhaust is making loud noises or leaking, then it can lead you to fail the MOT test.