Expert guides to common failures, advisories, prevention strategies, and repair costs.
Critical issues that cause MOT failure
Millions of UK vehicles fail their MOT annually. Understanding what causes these failures, how serious they are, and how to prevent them is essential for safe, legal, and cost-effective vehicle ownership.
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Immediate safety risks. Vehicle cannot be driven.
Examples: Complete brake failure, steering loss, fuel leaks
Significant safety issues. Vehicle fails MOT.
Examples: Brake imbalance, emissions failures, worn tyres
Wear items or minor issues. Vehicle passes MOT.
Examples: Slow wipers, light wear, emerging tyre wear
Last reviewed: July 2026 · Editorial Policy
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