What to Do If Your Car Fails the MOT (And How to Avoid It)

Summary

• Don't panic: Around 40% of cars fail their MOT. It's common and fixable.
• Get repairs done: Fix the problems listed on your failure certificate.
• Partial retest: Return within 10 working days for a cheaper retest that only checks the failed items.
• Prevention: Most failures are for lights, tyres, and brakes - things you can check yourself before the test.

Your car just failed its MOT. Now what?

First, take a breath. This happens to millions of cars every year. About 4 in 10 vehicles fail their first MOT attempt.

The good news? Most failures are for minor issues. And fixing them is usually straightforward.

This guide explains exactly what to do when your car fails, how to get back on the road quickly, and how to avoid failure next time.

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What Happens When Your Car Fails?

When your car fails the MOT, you'll receive:

• A failure certificate: Lists every reason for failure with specific details
• Defect categories: Each issue marked as "Major" or "Dangerous"
• Any advisories: Minor issues that didn't cause failure but need watching

Can You Still Drive?

It depends on the defect type:

Defect Type	Can You Drive?
Major defect	Yes, but get repairs ASAP. Your MOT is expired.
Dangerous defect	No. The car must be repaired on-site or transported by trailer.

Important: If your previous MOT was still valid when you took the test, you can continue driving until it expires (assuming no dangerous defects). But once it expires, you cannot drive until the car passes.

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3 Steps to Take After Failing

Step 1: Understand the Problems

Read your failure certificate carefully. It tells you exactly what's wrong. If anything is unclear, ask the tester to explain.

Common failure reasons include:

• Blown light bulbs or dim headlights
• Tyres below 1.6mm tread
• Worn brake pads or discs
• Suspension damage
• Excessive emissions

Step 2: Get Repairs Done

You have two options:

• Fix at the same garage: If the MOT centre does repairs, they can often fix issues on the spot. Many offer free or reduced retests if repairs are done same-day.
• Go elsewhere: If you prefer your own mechanic or want a second opinion, take the car there for repairs.

Step 3: Get a Retest

Once repairs are done, you need a retest. Here's how it works:

Scenario	What Happens
Same garage, same day	Often free retest
Same garage, within 10 working days	Partial retest (cheaper, around £20)
Different garage, or after 10 days	Full MOT test (full price)

A partial retest only checks the items that failed. It's quicker (10-15 minutes) and cheaper.

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The Top Reasons Cars Fail the MOT

According to DVSA data, these are the most common MOT failure reasons:

1. Lighting and Signalling (30% of failures)

The biggest cause of failure. Issues include:

• Blown bulbs (headlights, brake lights, indicators)
• Headlights aimed incorrectly
• Dim or yellowed headlights
• Faulty number plate lights

Prevention: Check all your lights work before the test. Replace any blown bulbs - they cost a few pounds.

2. Suspension (13% of failures)

Worn or damaged suspension components:

• Shock absorbers leaking or worn
• Damaged springs
• Worn ball joints or bushes

Prevention: Listen for knocking or clunking sounds. If the car bounces excessively after hitting bumps, suspension is likely worn.

3. Brakes (10% of failures)

Problems with stopping power:

• Worn brake pads or discs
• Uneven braking (pulls to one side)
• Handbrake not holding
• Brake fluid contamination

Prevention: If brakes feel spongy, squeal, or the car pulls when braking, get them checked before the MOT.

4. Tyres (8% of failures)

Tyre-related issues:

• Tread depth below 1.6mm
• Cuts, bulges, or damage
• Wrong size or type for the vehicle

Prevention: Use a 20p coin to check tread. If you can see the outer rim, the tyre needs replacing.

5. Driver's View (7% of failures)

Visibility problems:

• Cracked windscreen in driver's view
• Worn wiper blades
• Washer jets not working

Prevention: Replace worn wipers (under £20 for a pair). Top up washer fluid. Get windscreen chips repaired promptly.

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How to Check If a Car Has Failed Before

You can check any car's complete MOT history online, including all past failures:

1. Go to gov.uk/check-mot-history
2. Enter the registration number
3. View all past tests, including failures and reasons

This is especially useful when buying a used car. Multiple failures or recurring problems suggest poor maintenance.

You can also use CarOwl's MOT checker for a quick status check plus additional vehicle history.

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Pre-MOT Checklist to Avoid Failure

Do this quick check before your MOT and you'll catch most common problems:

• ☐ All lights work - headlights, indicators, brakes, fog, number plate
• ☐ Tyres have 1.6mm+ tread - use the 20p test
• ☐ Wipers clear screen properly - no smearing or streaks
• ☐ Washer fluid topped up - jets spray onto screen
• ☐ Windscreen not cracked - no damage in driver's line of sight
• ☐ Horn works
• ☐ Seatbelts work - click in and retract properly
• ☐ Mirrors intact - no cracks
• ☐ No warning lights - check dashboard
• ☐ Previous advisories addressed - check your history

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Common Questions

How long do I have to get repairs done?

There's no legal deadline, but to get a partial retest (cheaper), you must return to the same test centre within 10 working days.

Can I drive to a garage for repairs if I failed?

Yes, if the defect was "Major." If it was "Dangerous," you cannot drive the car at all - it must be transported.

What's the difference between a partial and full retest?

A partial retest only checks the failed items. It's quicker and costs around £20. A full retest is a complete MOT and costs the full fee.

Will my insurance still cover me if I fail?

If your previous MOT was still valid when you tested, yes. Once that expires, driving without a valid MOT may void your cover.

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Final Thoughts

Failing an MOT isn't the end of the world. It happens to nearly half of all cars tested.

Get the repairs done, return for a retest, and you're back on the road. Use the failure as motivation to stay on top of maintenance throughout the year.

And next time, do a quick pre-MOT check. Spending 10 minutes checking lights and tyres could save you the hassle of failing for something simple.

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