What Can Fail a Car MOT?

MOTs are legally required once a year to make sure your car is roadworthy and safe to drive. Failing an MOT is frustrating, to say the least, but many cars fail their MOTs on routine issues that could be easily fixed for an affordable price. If you’re wondering what can fail a car MOT, this guide is for you.

1. Tyre Tread

The tread on your tyres needs to be at least 1.6mm in depth to pass an MOT. Anything less than that is an automatic fail. You can check your tyre tread by inserting a 20p coin into the grooves – if you can’t see the outer band of the coin, your tyres are fine; if you can, they need to be changed before you bring your car in for its MOT.

2. Lights

Did you know that 30% of cars fail their MOTs due to faults with lighting and signalling? Something as minor as a blown bulb is easily overlooked but will result in a failed MOT. Before bringing your car in for testing, grab a friend and make sure all your lights are working correctly.

3. Mirrors, Wipers & Washers

Anything that hinders the driver’s view of the road will result in a failed MOT. This can be as simple as faulty wipers or a broken mirror. In fact, around 7% of MOT failures are due to this alone. Check your windscreen and mirror for cracks and chips, and make sure your wipers are working properly before coming in for an MOT.

4. Faulty Brakes

10% of MOT failures are caused by brake issues. Your brakes are a key safety feature of your car, so they need to be in good working order to pass. Top up your brake fluid when needed and listen out for screeching noises when you brake – that’s a sign your brake pads need replacing.

Don’t forget to park up on a hill to check your hand brake is also working properly; that will also get checked during an MOT.

5. Suspension

Suspension problems are hard to spot, which is why this is another common MOT failure. Listen for strange banging and clunking noises coming from your car – that’s a key indicator that your suspension needs work. You can also test your suspension by seeing if any of the corners of your car look too high or low.

6. Seatbelts

This is a simple one to check – if any of your seatbelts are worn, torn, or frayed, you’ll get a failed MOT. Make sure these are all in tip-top condition and working properly to save money on your MOT.

7. Airbags

Finally, your airbags need to be tested during an MOT. Most cars have a diagnostic testing feature that means you can double-check your airbags before an MOT without actually deploying them.

If you’re worried about testing this yourself, it’s something we can help with as part of a pre-MOT test to ensure your car will pass.

Book a Car MOT in Cheltenham Today

If you’ve done all your checks and it’s time to book your car in for an MOT, call our garage today. We charge £50 for an MOT, which includes a free re-test if it fails. Call now to arrange a convenient time to bring your car in for testing:  01242 523 310