Common MOT Questions

Around 28% of cars are late for their MOT, and for these, the failure rate is 8% higher than average; and while ignorance is certainly not an excuse, it can be a viable reason for why people with best intentions miss their MOTs.

This article is a starting point to combat MOT unawareness and will answer the common questions we’ve been asked at Williams.

So, without further ado let’s begin!

Reasons for MOT Failure

As previously mentioned, there are over 150 safety and emission related systems during the inspection, we won’t list all 150 but here are some of the most common reasons your car has failed its MOT… and how you can avoid them:

• Light it up! – A blown bulb may not sound like the end of the world, but it is a common failure reason for many vehicles across the UK. We advise that before the test you do a quick spot check (with help from a friend) to check all of the lights are working as they should be.
• Is the view all clear? – It’s imperative that a driver is able to see clearly, so a chip on the windscreen in the line of sight of the driver is a big no in the eyes of MOT guidelines. Double and triple check that there’s nothing obstructing your view of the road, oh, and you can claim back a replacement or repaired windscreen on your insurance without affecting your premium**.
• Keeping us in suspense - You can check your car to see if it sits level (is one side lower than the other?), or walk around the car and try pushing down on each corner. Does it return back to its normal level when you let go without ‘bouncing’ up and down a few times? Unfortunately, there’s no “quick fix” and fixing these common issues does have to result to a trip to the garage.
• You’re braking up – There’s really no need to reiterate how important brakes are to you. Listen out for squealing or grinding noises from your brakes, both are signs that the pads are running low, does the brake pedal feel spongy when you compress it? This is an indication that you may need to change or flush your brake fluid.
• A lie of emission – While the emissions test doesn’t involve the car’s safety, it is about its general roadworthiness and effects on the public’s (and planet’s) health. MOT examiners insert a probe into the exhaust tailpipe while the engine is running, allowing them to take a reading of the volume of poisonous gases and hydrocarbons present in the fumes. Regularly servicing your car will highlight any bugs in the system and give you enough preparation for the MOT, or you can clean your system with ‘fuel additives’ that work through the engine to remove particles and clean components to ensure your car’s emissions are as they should be.

Failing your MOT can be inconvenient, costly, and frustrating, so it’s always worth checking and preparing your car beforehand to give yourself the best chance of passing.

*Unless a ‘dangerous’ issue has been listed on the paperwork and the minimum standards of roadworthiness aren’t met.

**Most insurers won't increase your premium if you claim for windscreen damage, this does not mean all insurers won’t.

***This information was accurate as of September 2023.