Each UK vehicle aged over three has to undergo annual MOT (Ministry of Transport) tests to ensure they meet the safety and environmental standards for the road.
Every year, many vehicles do not pass the MOT test because of many common problems that could have easily been avoided.
Knowing where MOT failure causes, along with addressing them before time, can save one from retests, as well as save valuable time and money.
1. Light and Signalling Issues
Reason for Failure: Bad, blown, or misaligned headlights, brake lights, indicators, and rear lights are the most common reasons for MOT failure.
How to Avoid: Check all lights on a regular basis and replace any defective bulbs. Ensure correct headlight alignment and clean light lenses so as to maintain visibility.
2. Tyre Condition and Tread Depth
Reason for Failure: To pass the MOT, a minimum tread depth of 1.6mm is required on three-quarters of the tyre’s central area. Cuts, bulges, or signs of uneven wear on tyres can cause failure since these reduce grip and increase accident risk. Worn-out or damaged tyres affect the safety of the vehicle, mainly when the surface is wet or icy.
How to Avoid: Check the tread depth by inserting a 20p coin in the grooves of the tyre, ensuring the outer edge of the coin is covered by the tread. Inspect the tyres regularly for visible signs of damage, such as cuts, cracks, or bulges, and have them replaced if necessary. Maintain correct inflation pressure of the tyres so as to prevent irregular wear, which could reduce tyre lifespan and negatively affect overall vehicle performance.
3. Brake System Defects
Reason for Failure: The imbalance of the brake, worn pads or discs, and failure of brake components have caused a lot of shortcomings in the statistics.
Reason for Failure: Get your brakes checked at regular intervals, particularly when you notice any unusual sounds, vibrations, or longer stopping distances. Change worn-out parts whenever necessary.
4. Suspension and Steering Faults
Reason for Failure: Well, it is either on the part of worn shock absorbers, broken springs, or liquid leaking into the suspension system. Any of these factors can contribute to MOT failure.
How to Avoid: If you see so many bouncing, knocking sounds, or loose steering, have your suspension checked by a professional.
5. Problems of Emissions and Exhaust
Reason for Failure: Any leakage from the exhaust system or excessive emissions from the engine will result in or cause failures, particularly in diesel vehicles that face burdensome emission regulations.
How to Avoid: Routine Services ensure that emissions are within limits as prescribed by law. In the case of diesel cars, check that the diesel particulate filter (DPF) is working correctly and fill it with high-quality fuel.
6. Windscreen and Wipers
Reason for Failure: Cracks above 10 mm in the driver’s sight line, along with worn-out wipers and an empty washer reservoir, can cause an MOT failure due to impediments to visibility and safety.
How to Avoid: Inspect your windscreen for chips and replace damaged wipers. Keep washer fluid topped up.
7. Number Plates and VIN Clarity
Reason for Failure: The common failures are due to illegibility, dirt, damage, or incorrect formation of number plates and obscured Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN).
How to Avoid: Keep your registration plates clean, with perfect spacing, and firmly fitted. Ensure that the VIN is visible.
8. Seatbelt Condition and Functionality
Reason for Failure: A seat belt can fail due to fraying, apparent damage, or improper retraction. Such failures in the seat belt(s) severely compromise their safety attributes and, therefore, could lead to an MOT failure.
How to Avoid: Systematically check every seat belt for minor wear, such as cuts, abrasions, or loose stitching. Securely lock the seat belts, ensuring that they retract smoothly without any resistance. Besides normal wear and tear, if any damage is found, change the seat belt in the interest of safety and compliance.
9. Fuel and Fluid Leaks
Reason for Failure: Fuel, oil, or any other vital fluid leakage is a significant safety hazard and may cause severe damage to the engine and brakes, as well as a fire hazard and pollution to the environment; in addition, it shows that there are underlying mechanical problems. Such visible penetration will result in an automatic MOT failure.
How to Avoid: To avoid this, a person should inspect the underside of his or her vehicle on a regular basis for leaks, oil spots, or wet patches. This should go hand in hand with watching fluid levels regularly and ensuring that seals, gaskets, and hoses are all in good condition. When the person notices any leaks, he or she should deal with the faults as soon as possible through repairs to stop any further damage and keep the vehicle roadworthy.
10. Non-functioning Horn
Reason for Failure: A horn that no longer works or is not loud enough is a common cause of MOT failure because it is one of the safety functions in a vehicle that alerts other road users. It may become faulty due to electric problems, a fuse failure, or damage to the horn unit. Its malfunction will lessen the driver’s ability to warn others in emergencies.
How to Avoid: Test your horn very often to hear a loud, clear sound; when it sounds weak or is just not working, check the wiring, fuse, and connections for faults. Replace the horn where necessary to ensure it meets the safety requirements before the MOT test.
Final Thoughts
Most of the minor and preventable reasons why vehicles fail the MOT test are usually discovered beforehand. A fast check on lights, tires, brakes, and vital components before the MOT test will raise your chances of passing at the first vine.
Regular maintenance and services will ensure that your car can stay on the road and save unnecessary overheads in the long run.
By preventing these typical causes of MOT failure in advance, you experience a smoother and hassle-free experience when driving your vehicle, as well as ensuring road safety.
