Common MOT Failure Points

MOT Symbol | A1 Clutches

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MOT tests as we saw in an earlier post have been around for a long time. Gradually over time the test has expanded to meet the changing advancements of the motor industry, and this has resulted in a test that now checks more safety elements of your car than ever before.

Unfortunately not every car passes the MOT test at the first time of asking. We have compiled a list of 7 of the most common failure points that cars fail their MOT because of.

MOTs can be a costly part of your yearly motoring bills, so it is best to be prepared and get your car serviced or repaired before the test. If you know, or suspect, that something is not right with your car get it seen to by our expert technicians rather than waiting for it to fail the MOT test.

Common MOT failure points

1: Tyres
Tyres are the most common MOT failure point, due to excessive wear or damage that makes the tyres unroadworthy. Over or under inflating your tyres can lead to excessive wear, but so can simply doing too many miles before changing your tyres. Having tyres with the minimum tread depth of 1.6mm across at least 2/3 of the tyre is a legal requirement and failure to comply with it can lead to a fine of up to £2,500 and three penalty points…Per tyre! Make sure you check yours regularly to avoid this!

2: Brakes

Essential in scheme of things, brakes are one of the most important safety features your car has and should always be working well. Common MOT failure points for brakes include excessive wear of your brake pads, and/or excessive or unusual wear patterns on either your pads or discs.

3: Windscreens

It is vital to the safe operation of your vehicle that you have a clear view of the road ahead. Any chips or cracks obscuring the view can be almost certain to lead to an MOT fail. Make sure you get this sorted before the test – for a chip it will not affect your no claims bonus and only carries a small fee if claimed through your insurance.

4: Suspension

Speaking from personal experience of seeing my car fail three years on the trot (prior to starting work with A1 Clutches, obviously), suspension failures are common place. They can also be expensive to fix, but your car will not pass unless the problem is fixed. Bushes and suspension arms are the most common failure points.

5: Lights

This is another point where it seems entirely obvious that this would be a reason for a failure. To avoid failing on your lights behalf ensure you have working headlights that point in the right direction, that they can be dipped, that your brake lights are working correctly and that all indicators are working and clearly visible. Simple points and a cheap fix, so do not let it cost you an MOT pass.

6: Exhaust

The business end of your car in getting rid of the emissions from the engine. An exhaust that will pass the MOT will be quiet, free of corrosion, have all the correct mounting brackets and have a full complement of silencer baffles. If yours is missing any of these criteria be prepared for a failure.

7: Number plates

It is a legal requirement to have a clearly visible number plate both on the front and back of your vehicle at all times. Dimly lit or damaged number plates obscuring the registration on either end will see your vehicle fail the MOT test.

So there you have the most common MOT failure points we see here at our garages. The majority of them are very easily fixed, and it makes sense to have your car in fine working order before going in for the MOT test. So when the time comes and your next MOT is due, give A1 Clutches a call and get your vehicle ready, that way you can avoid any retests!