MOTs are a vital part of road safety. Every day thousands of trained technicians examine vehicles for faults that could lead to traffic accidents and issue a pass or a fail, dependent on their decision. While MOTs are crucial, we understand that they can be frustrating and costly to fail. That’s why we’ve assembled a list of the top causes for MOT failures so that you can prepare your car before taking it to be tested. We also offer full, major and interim services to get your car in top shape so that there aren’t any nasty surprises later on.
What is an MOT?
An MOT is a yearly inspection required for vehicles that are older than three years (unless they’re from before the 1960s). It’s simply designed to make sure that your car is safe to be driven on public roads. MOTs examine 4 different sections including safety, functionality, emissions and they can help to identify future issues – although, you’re unlikely to fail for this.
How much does an MOT cost?
The maximum fee for a car is £54.85 while a standard motorcycle should cost £29.65 – as of 2025. Please note that Class 7 vehicles can cost up to £58.60. If you require repairs or services in order to pass your MOT, it can add up to a lot more.
What are the consequences of not booking an MOT?
If you put off booking an MOT, or simply forget, it can lead to serious consequences. In the UK, it’s illegal to drive your vehicle with an invalid or expired MOT certificate. This may mean that your insurance policy becomes void and you could be liable for 3 penalty points on your license and up to a £1,000 fine! If that’s not scary enough, you can even loose your driving license.
If you’re in the process of selling your vehicle, you’ll find it much harder without an MOT. You’ll experience a smaller buying pool who will also likely demand a cheaper price.
Did you know – almost a quarter (that’s 23%) of MOTs across the country in 2024 were carried out late? That’s 7.6 million vehicle owners risking all of the problems as listed above. And 18% of this amount revealed that their MOT expired because they forgot! According to gov.uk, the average 28% of people who are late for their MOT experience a failure rate 8% higher than average.
So, don’t risk your MOT slipping your mind during your busy day-to-day life… get your MOT booked (or at least marked in your diary!) today. Plus, when you sign up to Halfords Motoring Club, you’ll receive helpful reminders for when your MOT is due so that you never forget again!
Most common reasons for failing an MOT
Just a few simple checks can help you pass your next MOT. Take a look at the top reasons vehicles fail and carry out some at-home prep prior to your slot so you’re in the best position possible to pass. We also offer a free 5- and 10-point car checks if you want some professional help and peace of mind prior to your MOT.
1. Lights
Hazy headlights, brake lights, indicators, registration plate illuminator, fog lights, sidelights… there’s so many to consider, it’s enough to dazzle you! But, with 1 in 5 drivers showing light-related problems during their MOT, car lights are the number one reason for failing an MOT. Although they can often be a simple fix, whether it’s a blown bulb or cracked plastic, it can turn into an expensive issue if it impacts your MOT. Be sure to check your lights are working prior to your MOT running out! Or take advantage of our headlights restoration service and kit.
2. Suspension
Suspension is a crucial component for vehicle control and works to minimises bumps in the road while maintaining sufficient tyre contact. However, over time your suspension can wear down and lead to uneven handling and cornering. You may also notice strange noises. Otherwise, it can sometimes be quite tricky to identify suspension issues. But with 1 in 10 MOT failures being attributed to suspension concerns, it’s important to know how to spot the signs. Does your car sit level when you’re outside of it? If you push down on one corner, does all return to normal?
3. Brakes
Worryingly, 1 in 10 MOT failures are due to a faulty braking system… As one of the most essential parts of a car, maintaining responsive and legal brakes is vital for the driver, passengers, and all other road users. Examine how your vehicle performs. Does it pull to one side as you brake? Can you hear a grinding noise? If so, your brakes may be loose and dangerous.
4. Tyres
The 4th most common reason for MOT failures is tyre related issues. You could fail over tread depth, tyre pressure or their general condition including cuts and punctures. Often tyres can be repaired but if damage has occurred to the sidewall, they’ll need to be replaced. You can buy tyres online or order them in at your local garage.
Check that your tyre is at the proper pressure according to the vehicle’s manufacturers guide. Typically, this may fall between 30 and 35 PSI. You can pump up your tyre at home using our excellent pressure gauges and inflators.
Your tyre’s tread depth must legally be, as a minimum, 1.6mm. However, many manufacturers and experts would recommend that it should measure deeper than this. If your tread depth is below 1.6mm, you could have bald tyres which will cause you to fail your MOT – and you’ll need to buy new ones. Your tread pattern helps to maintain general road grip and traction whilst preventing aquaplaning and skidding in poorer weather conditions. You can test it at home, before your MOT, using the 20p test. Simply, slot a 20p into a groove of your tread and examine where the coin sits. If the outer edge is visible (even in the groove), your tyre tread probably isn’t legal and you’ll be experiencing worser handling and control of the vehicle.
Check the overall condition of your tyre including any bulges, cuts, slashes, bumps or uneven wear. If you notice that your pressure is decreasing too often, you ma have a slow puncture. If you notice a strange vibrating sensation, your wheels may be misaligned.
At Halfords, we offer a range of tyre services so that you can be ready to go when it comes to the date of your MOT. Plus, if you bundle a service and your MOT together, we’ll even give you 10% off!
5. Issues impacting the driver’s view
Different from lights but still a top cause for MOT failures, anything that causes obscured vision for the driver places at number 5. This can mean chips or cracks in the windscreen, even seemingly harmless ones, can trigger problems for your MOT pass rate. Also, if your bonnet is insecure and frequently pops open or if your windscreen wipers are unresponsive, they are causes for failure.
6. Additional issues
Anything that compromises the vehicle’s integrity, like rust and age, can also lead to failing an MOT. Poor fuel emission and faulty seatbelts and airbags are also cause for instant failure. So, while there’s certainly plenty to watch out for, it’s all important for road safety!
What to do if your MOT fails?
DVSA figures show that 37% of cars fail their MOT the first time around. If your car does fail, you’ll receive a VT30 Refusal of an MOT Test Certificate. This will explain why your vehicle failed and the same garage may be able to fix the issue before you drive it again. You should keep track of your VT30 as it will be needed for a retest or if you choose to appeal the fail. If you do appeal the decision, you’ll need to fill out a complaint form and send it to the DVSA within 14 working days of the test.
Don’t delay, organise your MOT with your trusted Halfords garage today. Nobody wants to deal with the consequences of an expired MOT so use our checklist to prepare your car, and you’re much more likely to pass first time.
Plus, with Halfords Motoring Club you can get £5 off of your next MOT. Or treat yourself and upgrade to our Premium tier for an included MOT!
All stats are found at: Gov.uk and DVSA.
