Top MOT Failure Reasons and How to Avoid Them

Nearly 40% of vehicles fail their MOT on the first attempt. Many of those failures are for issues that could have been spotted and fixed beforehand. Here are the most common reasons — and what you can do about them.

1. Lighting and Signalling

The number one reason for MOT failures. Check every light on your car:

Bulbs are cheap and easy to replace. This is the easiest fail to avoid.

2. Tyres

Your tyres must have at least 1.6mm of tread depth across the central three-quarters of the tyre. Check all four tyres — including the inner edges, which wear faster on some vehicles.

Also check for damage: cuts, bulges or cracks in the sidewall will cause a fail.

3. Brakes

Worn pads, warped discs, or seized calipers can all cause a fail. If you notice squealing, grinding, or the car pulling to one side under braking, get your brakes checked before the MOT.

4. Windscreen and Wipers

A chip or crack larger than 10mm in the driver's direct line of sight will fail. Outside the swept area, the limit is 40mm. Wiper blades must clear the screen effectively — replace them if they're streaking.

5. Suspension

Worn shock absorbers, damaged springs, and perished bushings are common failures, especially on older vehicles or cars that drive over rough roads regularly.

6. Emissions

Diesel vehicles in particular can fail on emissions. A well-maintained engine is less likely to have issues — regular servicing helps keep emissions in check.

What to Do Before Your MOT

Run through a quick pre-MOT checklist:

Book Your MOT at Woodseer Autos

We're a government-authorised testing station in East London. If your car doesn't pass, we'll explain why, quote fairly for repairs, and retest for free. Call 020 7537 2447.