A Detailed Guide for Dangerous and Major MOT Results

 

After failing an MOT test, the examiner will not only mention a big F on the certificate. There is a fault list provided that tells the reasons why a vehicle actually failed. The specific categories of failure are dangerous, major, or minor, and this affects the steps drivers should follow after an MOT failure. The majority of drivers believe that any failure will mean the same rules apply, whereas, in truth, the outcome from a dangerous failure is different from a major failure. This blog post covers in detail what the different types of MOT faults mean and how drivers can deal with them. 

Importance of This Categorisation

This system of dangerous, major and minor faults was made precisely to provide a better, more precise image of how severe a fault is. This does not use a simple system of pass or fail, as it does not always show how severe the issues are and if a quick repair is required. The categorisation’s main purpose is to provide the tester with a better means of showing not only that there is a fault, but also how dangerous this fault can be. This also helps drivers to understand what they can and cannot do after an MOT test High Wycombe. This makes the result more useful than simply receiving a failure notice, as two vehicles can fail their MOT for very different reasons. Understanding the category of each fault helps the driver know whether the car needs immediate recovery, urgent repairs or attention before the problem gets worse.

What Are Considered Dangerous Faults

Dangerous faults refer to those faults that are an immediate threat to safety on the roads and/or environmental standards. They are serious to the point where there is an immediate risk to the safety of the driver and passengers, and hence the vehicle cannot be allowed to operate before the problem is taken care of. For example, if a vehicle’s brakes are not functioning properly due to excessive wear, it can increase the vehicle’s braking distance. Another example is excessive wear of the steering components that can lead to drivers losing control of the vehicle. It is important to note that the risk is considered to be immediate and potentially serious to the point where the continued driving will put the driver, passengers, and other road users at risk.

What Are Considered Major Faults

 A major fault also causes the vehicle to fail its MOT, but it does not carry quite the same severe risk as a dangerous fault. A vehicle with major faults can be driven if certain conditions are met, and only if the MOT certificate is still valid. If a vehicle has major faults and the owner wants to pass the test, they must get timely repairs, as a car with major faults will fail. A vehicle with major faults can be driven if certain conditions are met, and only if the MOT certificate is still valid, although the major fault still needs to be sorted out for the vehicle to be able to pass its next MOT test. A worn-out tyre tread that is just below the legal limit or a defective brake light will fall into the category of a major fault rather than a dangerous fault. Although these issues are a true risk, they are not as immediate and serious, but drivers are still advised to have such problems fixed as soon as possible.

Examples to Understand the Fault Difference

Here is a detailed breakdown of how the same components can face different faults, and how at the same time the components can have a major and a dangerous fault:

• Brakes: Significantly reduced braking performance across multiple wheels would likely be dangerous, while a single worn brake pad approaching but not yet at its limit might be recorded as major.
• Tyres: A tyre with a large bulge or exposed inner structure would be dangerous, while a tyre just below the legal tread depth without other damage would typically be major.
• Steering: Excessive play that could cause loss of control would be dangerous, while a minor amount of wear noted for future attention might be recorded as major or even minor.
• Lighting: A completely non-functioning headlight might be major, while a light emitting the wrong colour in a way that could confuse other drivers could be treated as dangerous depending on the specific circumstances.

Conclusion

The difference between dangerous and major faults is that they help motorists determine how serious a fault really is rather than assume all problems are the same. This information can help vehicle owners understand how a major fault can turn into a dangerous one, and provide drivers with a clear idea on how to deal with a failed test. The most important thing is to check which fault category the issue exactly is in and act accordingly. A dangerous fault means the car must stay off the road until repaired, while a major fault must be fixed without delay, although limited driving might still be possible.