MotR
Free Advisory Check · DVSA Records

MOT Advisory Check

MOT advisories are documented early warnings recorded by independent DVSA-registered testers. They tell you exactly what wear the car has, what was ignored, and what will fail next. Here is how to read them before you buy.

Official UK dataFree to useInstant resultsNo account needed
Abstract glowing document with a warning-note tag representing MOT advisory checks
Quick answer

What MOT Advisories Tell You

MOT advisories are pass-but-note warnings recorded by DVSA-registered testers. They mean the car passed the MOT but something is wearing or deteriorating. You can legally buy and drive a car with advisories. But the same advisory on three consecutive tests means the seller ignored three separate official warnings — use that as a negotiating lever or as a reason to walk away.
The tiers

What MOT Advisories Actually Tell You

Since May 2018, the DVSA has used a three-tier defect system. Under the current system, "minor" defects are what most people call advisories — the car passes but the tester records concerns. Here is what each tier means:

Dangerous

Immediate risk

Immediate danger to road safety. Cannot drive. Must repair before moving the vehicle.

Major

MOT failure

Significant defect affecting safety or emissions. Vehicle fails. Cannot legally drive on public road.

Minor (Advisory)

Car passes

Wear or deterioration noted. No immediate safety risk. Should be repaired before next MOT. This is what most buyers focus on.

Cost guide

Common Advisory Types & What They Cost to Fix

Advisory typeComponentTypical cost to fixUrgency
Worn brake padsFront/rear pads£80–£180 per axleHigh
Tyre worn close to limitOne or more tyres£80–£140 per tyreHigh
Perished tyre sidewallTyre condition£80–£140 per tyreMedium
Worn wiper bladesFront wipers£15–£30Low
Minor corrosion on suspension armSuspension£0 (monitored) to £300+Medium
Oil leak (minor)Engine seals/gaskets£100–£500+Medium–High
Rear brake disc wornRear brakes£120–£220Medium
Anti-roll bar bush perishedSuspension£60–£150Low–Medium
Front wishbone bush wornSuspension£100–£250Medium
Exhaust blowing (minor)Exhaust system£50–£300Low–Medium
Headlamp aim slightly offLightingFree–£30Low
Coil spring corrodedSuspension£100–£250Medium–High

All costs are UK estimates for independent garages, 2026. Main dealer prices will be higher.

The key signal

Repeated Advisories: The Most Important Signal

A single advisory is normal. The same advisory appearing on the last two or three consecutive MOT tests is a significant red flag. It means the registered keeper — the person selling you the car — received an official written warning from an independent, regulated tester on at least two separate occasions and chose not to act on it.

Real example — what to look for

2022 MOT: "Nearside rear tyre worn close to legal limit (5.1.1)"
2023 MOT: "Nearside rear tyre worn close to legal limit (5.1.1)"
2024 MOT: "Nearside rear tyre worn close to legal limit (5.1.1)"

This means the tyre was never replaced across three annual tests. It is either still on the car and potentially dangerous, or the seller replaced it just before listing to pass the MOT. In either case — ask for the repair receipt and deduct the cost from your offer.
1 advisory = normal — get a repair quote and use it in negotiation
Same advisory on 2 consecutive tests = seller ignored a warning — negotiate harder
Same advisory on 3+ tests = seller repeatedly ignored documented warnings — walk away or get independent inspection first
Advisory on brakes or tyres = safety-critical — must be addressed before purchase
Advisory on structural corrosion = potential MOT failure next year — get inspection
Negotiate

Using Advisories to Negotiate

Every advisory is a documented, independent, legally-constituted record. When you present a repair quote based on advisory items, you are making a factual, unemotional case for a price reduction. This is one of the most effective negotiating tools available to a used car buyer.

Example negotiation

Car asking price: £6,200. MOT history shows: worn front brake pads (£130), perished nearside rear tyre (£100), anti-roll bar bush worn (£120). Total documented repair estimate: £350. Reasonable offer: £5,750–£5,850. Present this calmly with the repair quotes attached — not as an attack, but as objective evidence.
Questions & answers

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an MOT advisory?
An MOT advisory is a note made by the tester on items that are not yet a failure but show wear or deterioration. The car still passes its MOT, but the tester is flagging that the item needs monitoring or repair before it becomes a failure. Common advisories include worn brake pads, slightly perished tyres, minor corrosion, and worn wiper blades.
Do I need to fix MOT advisories?
Technically no — advisories are not legal requirements. However, many advisories will become failures at the next test if not addressed. More importantly, items like worn brake pads or cracked tyres are safety-critical. You should treat advisories as maintenance tasks to complete within the next few weeks or months.
How do I check a car's MOT advisories before buying?
Use MotR's free MOT History Checker or the DVSA's official service at check.mothistory.service.gov.uk. Enter the registration number and you'll see every test record including all advisories recorded at each test. Look especially for the same advisory appearing on multiple consecutive tests — this means the seller ignored repeated warnings.
Are MOT advisories on tyres serious?
Tyre advisories are among the most important. 'Tyre worn close to the legal limit' means you should replace it before the next test. A tyre advisory on all four corners is expensive — budget £250–£500 to replace a full set. 'Perished' tyres may be safe in isolation but indicate the car has been standing or poorly maintained.
What does 'deteriorating' mean in an MOT advisory?
Deteriorating usually refers to components showing advancing wear — brake pads past their service limit, rubber components cracking, or metal showing surface rust that could become structural. It is the tester's way of saying 'watch this one — it will fail next time if not fixed'.
Should I buy a car with multiple advisories?
Multiple advisories are very common and do not automatically mean the car is a bad purchase. Use each advisory as a specific negotiating lever: get repair quotes from a local garage before viewing, then deduct those costs from the asking price. Advisories on brakes, tyres, or structural corrosion warrant the most serious attention.
What's the difference between an advisory and a failure?
A failure (major or dangerous defect) means the car did not meet minimum legal standards and cannot legally be driven on public roads. An advisory means the car passed the MOT but the tester noted a concern. Since 2018, the three categories are: Dangerous (cannot drive), Major (MOT fail), and Minor (advisory — car passes).
Related tools

Related Tools & Resources

Check MOT Advisories Free

Full DVSA advisory records

Open

MOT Failure Check

Failures vs advisories explained

Open

History Check Guide

All car history data sources

Open

Pre-Purchase Checklist

Complete buying process

Open

Full Buying Checklist

40-point list

Open

Red Flags UK

When to walk away

Open

MOT Guide

Everything about MOT tests

Open

Advisories Explained

Deep dive into advisory categories

Open

MOT advisory data is provided free by the DVSA. Repair-cost ranges are UK estimates for independent garages, 2026. MotR is not affiliated with DVLA, DVSA or any provenance provider. Last reviewed 12 June 2026.

Keep reading

MOT Failure Check

How to read failure history — dangerous vs major defects, patterns, and repair cost estimates.

Open