Understanding What an MOT Failure Means | Rooster
An MOT test is a mandatory annual inspection to ensure that a vehicle meets road safety and environmental standards. If your car fails its MOT, it can be a frustrating experience, but understanding what an MOT failure means and what to do next is essential.
What Happens When Your Car Fails an MOT?
When a vehicle fails its MOT, the test centre provides a ‘refusal of an MOT test certificate.’ This document lists the reasons for failure, which can be categorised as:
Dangerous faults – These pose an immediate risk to road safety or the environment. Your vehicle cannot be driven until the fault is fixed.
Major faults – These are serious issues that must be repaired before your vehicle can pass an MOT and be legally driven.
Minor faults – Although your car can still pass, minor faults should be addressed to prevent future issues.
Advisories – These are not immediate failures but indicate parts that may need attention soon.
What Are Your Options After an MOT Failure?
If your car fails its MOT, you have several options:
Get the repairs done immediately at the test centre – Some garages offer same-day repairs, allowing for a free retest if the vehicle stays on-site.
Take your car to another garage for repairs – You can take the car elsewhere for repairs, but it cannot be driven if it has ‘dangerous’ faults.
Retest within 10 working days – If repairs are completed within 10 working days, you may be eligible for a partial retest at a reduced cost.
Can You Still Drive After an MOT Failure?
If your car has ‘dangerous faults,’ you cannot drive it until the issues are repaired. If it only has ‘major faults,’ you may be able to drive it to a repair centre as long as the previous MOT is still valid and no ‘dangerous faults’ were identified.
How to Avoid MOT Failures
To reduce the risk of an MOT failure:
Check lights, tyres, and fluid levels before the test.
Maintain regular servicing to catch potential issues early.
Address advisories from previous MOT tests before they become serious faults.
Stay on Top of Your MOT with Rooster
Rooster helps you manage your vehicle’s MOT history, book services, and save up to 50% on MOTs and repairs. The Rooster app also provides reminders so you never miss an MOT renewal. Download the app today to stay on top of your car’s maintenance and compliance.
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