MOT Failure: What It Means and What You Should Do Next

The MOT test is a legal check that is compulsory for vehicles over three years old. This test is a safety check, and it also ensures your vehicle meets environmental standards. Since MOT is a legal test, drivers cannot avoid it under any condition.

Not all drivers pass the MOT test. Many fail. However, failure in the MOT Test Harrogate is not the end of life. After the failure, they just need to repair the faulty components, and they will be ready to get the certificate.

MOT failure is sometimes frustrating because it wastes time. An MOT failure just shows that something is wrong with your car, and it should not be run on the roads. Therefore, you should not increase your blood pressure because of the MOT failure. Even you can avoid failure if you check your car carefully before the test.



In this blog, we will explore why vehicles fail their MOT, what the different fault categories mean, what to do after a failure, and how MOT retests work.

Have a look!

Why Do Vehicles Fail the MOT?

Many reasons lead to negative results after the MOT. Most of them relate to safety and environmental issues. You can check your car most common issues that are responsible for failing the test.

Here are the most common reasons for failure:

Lights and signaling problems:

MOT technicians will check lights for fuse bulbs, broken indicators, and misaligned headlights.

Old and worn-out tyres:

Your car will fail its test if your tyre tread is below 1.6mm. Damaged or uneven tyres also lead to a failure.

Brake issues:

Your vehicle may fail its test due to worn brake pads, disc, or low brake fluid.

Suspension faults:

Broken springs, leaking shock absorbers, or loose components are common reasons for MOT failure.

Windscreen and Wipers:

Cracks in the driver’s view or faulty wipers can lead to a failure.

Exhaust

Exhaust may experience leakage, physical damage, and rusting. Moreover, black and excess smoke in emissions is not a good sign.

Understanding MOT Fault Categories

When your car fails the MOT, the defects are divided into three categories: dangerous, major, and minor. These types help you to understand how serious the issues are.

Dangerous Faults

These are serious safety issues. The presence of these defects means your car is not safe to drive. You cannot drive it until you repair the faults. Driving with a dangerous fault is highly illegal and it may lead to fines or penalty points.

Example: Severely worn brakes or broken steering components.

Major Faults

These faults are serious enough to cause a failure, but their presence is not highly risky for the vehicle. Still, you must fix these problems to pass the test.

Example: Tyres below the legal limit or a non-working headlight.

Minor Faults

These are small problems that do not lead to a failure. The MOT center records these faults on the certificate. You have to fix them as soon as possible.

Example: A slightly worn tyre or a small exhaust leak.

What Happens After an MOT Failure?

When your car fails, the test center will provide a VT30 ‘Refusal of MOT Test’ certificate. It lists all the defects and their categories. If your previous certificate is not expired, it is still valid, and the issue of the refusal treatment does not change the status of this certificate. You can legally drive your vehicle if it does not have a dangerous fault.

If your car has a dangerous fault, you cannot drive the vehicle. You need to get it repaired in the original center or in another garage. If you choose another garage, you have to tow your vehicle since driving is not allowed.

Fixing the Faults: Your Options

After failing, you must repair the issues before retesting. You have the following options:

Get the car repaired at the same test centre

Most garages offer to fix the faults for you. If repairs are completed quickly, you may be eligible for a free or reduced-price retest.

Take the car elsewhere for repairs

You can choose a different garage if you hope to get a better quote. If you bring the car back after 10 working days, you will have to pay for a full retest.

Appeal the MOT decision (rare case)

If you are 100% confident that failure was wrong, you can appeal through DVSA. In this option, you cannot repair your vehicle. Soon, they will test your vehicle again to make a final decision.

What If I Keep Driving a Car That Failed?

If your MOT certificate has expired and the car has major or dangerous defects, you cannot drive it with some exceptions. You can drive to a garage for repairs or to a pre-booked MOT test as an exception. Driving without a valid MOT is illegal and it may lead to the following:

Invalidate your insurance

Lead to fines

Put lives at risk

Tips to Avoid MOT Failure

A little preparation can help you avoid failure.

Make these steps to easily pass the test:

Check lights, tyres, and wipers before the MOT test day.

Look for dashboard warning lights. Resolve the issue early.

Get a pre-MOT check or service. Many garages offer it.

Fix minor issues immediately so they do not become major ones.

Keep track of your MOT due date. Do not wait for the last minute.

Final Words

MOT failure is common, but it is manageable. If the MOT center does not issue the MOT certificate, it means your vehicle is not safe on roads. Therefore, you must resolve the issues to be eligible for a retest. The rules are simple and clear. If you want your car onthe road, you have to keep it roadworthy. Treat the failure as a helpful warning and get the car fixed properly. If you act promptly, the retest protest is easy and affordable. Do not be lazy to visit a garage for Car Servicing Harrogate if you do not want to face a failed test. Nowadays, many garages offer MOTs and car servicing together to save money and time.

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