Use this checklist before your MOT to help make sure your car is safe, roadworthy and less likely to fail the test, plus learn what to do if you don't agree with the result.
Key takeaways
- The most common MOT failures are lights, suspension, brakes, tyres and bodywork or structure.
- You can check most of these at home before booking your test.
- If you think your MOT result is wrong, speak to the test centre first. You can then appeal to the DVSA within 14 working days.
- Driving a car with dangerous defects can result in a fine of up to £2,500, three penalty points and a driving ban in serious cases.
- New cars need their first MOT at 3 years old. In Northern Ireland, the first MOT is required at 4 years old due to a separate testing system.
What does an MOT check?
An MOT is a legally required yearly test for most vehicles over 3 years old. Authorised MOT test centres carry out the check to make sure your vehicle meets the minimum road safety and environmental standards set by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).
During the test, a trained MOT tester inspects key parts of your car, including the brakes, lights, tyres, steering, suspension, seatbelts, and emissions.
If your vehicle passes, you'll get an MOT certificate. If it doesn't, you'll need to fix the faults before it can pass. You can also quickly check your vehicle's MOT status and history on GOV.UK.
"It's easy to overlook MOT advisories because they don't result in a failure, but they're often early warning signs. Dealing with them sooner can help prevent bigger repair bills and reduce the risk of failing next year's test."What our motor insurance expert says
MOT checklist: What to check before your MOT
These are the most common reasons for MOT failure according to GOV.UK. It's worth checking these areas before you take your car for its MOT. You might be able to fix some of these yourself, but others require a mechanic:
1. Lights
Over 11% of vehicles failed their MOT because of their lights between 2022 and 2023.
So before you take your car for its MOT, check all lights are working correctly. This includes:
- Headlights
- Rear lights
- Fog lights
- Brake lights
- Indicator lights
- Hazard lights
If your headlight bulbs have blown, you should change them straight away. But brake lights and hazard lights, for example, might not be so obvious.
You might be able to change the bulbs yourself. Your car’s manual should be able to tell you how to do this.
Check that all warning lights on your dashboard are working too. Usually they illuminate when you turn your car on.
2. Suspension
Suspension problems are another common reason for a car to fail its MOT. Nearly 9% of cars fail their MOT because of this. You might notice your car has suspension issues if:
- Your car leans to one side
- Your journey in your car is bumpier than usual
- Your car drifts when you go around corners
- You can hear a knocking sound
If you’re noticing this before your MOT, it’s worth having a mechanic check your car.
3. Brakes
Nearly 7% of cars fail their MOT because of their brakes.
If there are issues with your brakes you might notice there’s some vibration through the steering wheel. You might feel this through your brake pedal too.
We’re not going to recommend you trying to fix your brakes unless you know exactly what you’re doing, you should get your mechanic to do this.
4. Tyres
Over 6% of cars failed their MOT because their tyres weren’t a good standard.
A standard tyre can cost £45 to £120, according to check a trade.
When you’re checking your tyres, you need to check that there aren’t any:
- Cuts
- Bulges
- Tears
- Nails
- Damage to the tyre's side wall
You also need to check your tyres aren’t bald. You can do this by putting a 20p coin in the main grooves of the tyre. If you can’t see the outer rim of the coin, then your tread depth should be above the legal limit.
It’s also worth checking your tyre pressure at a garage or with a pressure gauge. You can find the recommended tyre pressures in your car’s manual.
Our guide on how to check your tyre pressure and tread depth can give you more information on tyre health.
5. Visibility - windows and mirrors
Almost 5% of cars failed because of poor visibility. Nothing should obstruct your view of the road, so remove any air fresheners from your rear view mirror. Remove sat nav cradles and stickers too if they block your view.
You should also check wiper blades for damage. If they're worn, you can replace them yourself using your vehicle handbook for reference. Mirrors should be secure and intact.
6. Body, chassis, structure
Nearly 4% of vehicles failed their MOT because of their defects with the vehicle’s structure.
So when you’re checking your car, look out for any signs of rust. And make sure the boot and bonnet open and close securely.
It’s also worth looking underneath your car at the chassis and frame to make sure there’s no rust or obvious damage.
7. Noise, emissions and leaks
Over 3% of cars fail because of issues with noise, emissions and leaks. To check for this, listen for any strange noises. This could mean there are issues with the exhaust or engine components.
If your car hasn’t been running well, for example, if your fuel efficiency isn’t as good as usual, it could be your emissions. Get a mechanic to check this for you.
Check where your car is usually parked for any signs of fluid leaks. This could be:
- Oil
- Brake fluid
- Coolant
- Transmission fluid
Take a look at the petrol inlet filler cap. The petrol inlet is where the fuel goes, and the filler cap is what you screw onto it. Look out for any damage to the seal around the cap.
You should also check your catalytic converter too.
8. Seats and seatbelts
Seats and seatbelts are checked as part of every MOT. Make sure all seats are securely fixed in place and that every seatbelt fastens, retracts and locks properly. Replace any damaged or excessively worn seatbelts before your test.
9. Number plates
Your number plates must be clean, securely attached and easy to read. Check that the lettering isn't damaged or obscured by dirt, and replace cracked or broken plates if needed.
10. Documentation and vehicle cleanliness
Before your MOT, check that your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) matches your vehicle records. It's also worth giving your car a quick clean inside and out, as excessive dirt or clutter can make it more difficult for the tester to inspect your vehicle.
11. The horn
Your horn must work properly and be loud enough to warn other road users. Give it a quick test before your MOT, as a faulty or inaudible horn can result in a failure.
What happens if my car fails its MOT?
If your car fails its MOT with major or dangerous faults, you have to get each problem fixed and book another MOT. This is a partial MOT though, and only tests the areas that your car failed in last time. You can book a retest within 10 days, giving you plenty of time to arrange repair work.
The MOT test can also identify other, less immediate problems. These appear as ‘minor faults’ on your certificate.
Minor faults aren’t yet serious enough to cause your car to fail its MOT. For example, if you have worn tyres, but they're not worn below the legal limit.
MOTs can be one of the most expensive car running costs, so it might be more cost-effective to get the minor faults sorted a month or so after the initial test.
That way the faults don’t develop and put you in danger. You stand a better chance of passing it the following year too.
Some garages might also give your car advisories. These don’t need fixing as urgently as minor faults and won’t cause your car to fail its MOT. If you have advisories, you should monitor them and get them repaired if necessary.
What if you disagree with your MOT result?
If you think the result is wrong, don't just accept it. You have the right to challenge it. Here's exactly how:
Step 1: Talk to the test centre first
Before anything else, speak to the MOT test centre and ask them to explain the result. Do this before any repairs are carried out, as changes to the vehicle could affect any appeal.
Step 2: Contact DVSA if you're still not satisfied
If you still disagree with a failed MOT, you must contact the DVSA within 14 working days of the test. You can submit a complaint through the official GOV.UK MOT complaint process. DVSA will usually contact you within 5 working days to discuss your appeal.
Step 3: DVSA inspection or recheck
If DVSA agrees to investigate, they may arrange a re-examination of the vehicle. It must be left in the same condition as when it was tested, so no repairs should be carried out beforehand.
You'll usually need to pay the full MOT fee again (up to £54.85 for a car), but this is refunded if your appeal is successful. The examiner will issue a report explaining their findings.
If your vehicle passed but you believe it should have failed, you can still contact DVSA to request a review. This must normally be done within 28 calendar days for most defects, or within 3 months if the issue relates to corrosion. The DVSA will decide whether a re-examination is possible based on the condition of the vehicle at the time of the request.
Can I drive my car if it fails its MOT?
If your MOT comes back with dangerous faults, you can’t drive it until your mechanic has made the repairs. Major faults should be repaired as soon as possible.
You should be able to drive your car if it has advisory faults. These are recommendations made by the garage that should be repaired at some point.
If you’re caught driving a car that’s unroadworthy, you could:
- Be given a fine of up to £2,500
- Get points on your licence
- Get a driving ban
Having a motoring conviction like this could increase your car insurance costs.
When does my car need its first MOT?
Your car will usually need its first MOT when it is 3 years old, and then every year after that in Great Britain.
In Northern Ireland, the first MOT is required when a vehicle is 4 years old, due to a separate testing system.
There has been a government consultation on changing the first MOT from 3 to 4 years in Great Britain, but this has not been implemented, so the 3-year rule still applies.
Not sure if your car needs an MOT soon? You can use our MOT checker to check your MOT due date.
*Unless otherwise stated, all figures taken from omnibus research carried out by One Poll on behalf of Confused.com. This was an online poll of 2,000 UK drivers. The research was conducted between 25 May 2022 and 30 May 2022.
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