Things That Can Fail Your Vehicle In Its MOT Test

As your annual MOT is near, it’s obvious you feel nervous as to whether your vehicle will pass its annual test. In the absence of a valid MOT certificate, your vehicle cannot legally be driven on the road, so it can seem that a lot of riding on the test.

There are a lot of valid reasons why your vehicle can fail its MOT in Dudley, from windscreen wipers to wheel nuts the list goes on and on. But, there are also a variety of things you can do to get away without fail though that doesn’t mean they aren’t worth monitoring. You don’t get confused or overwhelmed, we have compiled a list of things you can follow so that your vehicle likely won’t fail its MOT. 

Worn Down Brake Pads

As your vehicle brakes are used constantly, the brake pads are likely to get worn out and MOT testers know this. If your brake pads are worn slightly, or the lining has begun to erode, you will most likely receive a cautionary warning to replace them soon. 

But your tester may pass your vehicle despite the brake pad being worn out, provided they are not worn out below the legal minimum limit of 1.5mm as this can be unsafe. 

It is recommended that you should replace your brake pads if they are worn down to less than 3mm. It is a good move, you should book your vehicle in for regular servicing so that it can be checked whether your brakes working properly since most brake pads have a lifespan of roughly 50,000 miles.

Cracked Windscreen

While we don’t recommend driving on the road with any sort of damage in your windscreen, it is possible to pass an MOT with just a few chips and cracks in it.

If the chips in the windscreen are less than 10mm and it's not on the driver’s side, you will likely pass the test. But, in case the chips are more than 20mm wide, you will most likely fail and you need to get them replaced or repaired immediately.

Gear Box Issues

While a gearbox is important for safely handling every vehicle, certain problems won’t deserve complete MOT failure. Specific problems like gearbox noise, won’t cause a failure since the MOT test doesn’t actually cover the condition of the gearbox or the engine aside from emissions. 

That being said, it is better to check out any noises in case they give a bigger underlying problem. 

Worn Down Tyres

If you have less tread depth than the legal tread depth limit your vehicle will surely fail its MOT test. If you have excessive ripping or tyre tread erosion, in which case you will need to get your tyres replaced immediately.

But, some wear on tyres is expected since tyres are consonant moving on the road and likely start wearing as you move your vehicle. So, as long as your tyres are above 1.6mm, your vehicle can still pass your MOT test.

You can check your tyre tread depth at home using a tread depth gauge or a 20p coin test. For the safe side, if your tyre tread depth is below 3mm, we recommend replacing them to get safety and maximum performance. 

Dents in Your Vehicle Body

While your vehicle’s body is checked during its test, some light damage to your bodywork won’t cause a MOT failure. Most body parts are inspected to ensure they are secure and won’t loosen when driving, but some cosmetic damage like scratches and denting won’t interfere with the performance of your vehicle. Things like sharp edges could cause injury, stuck and faulty windows are not permitted, though.

Wipers & Washer Jets

Ensure they are secure and able to clean the windscreen for their entire length. Lift and check the rubber for splits or general wear and tear. Check and ensure they are safely attached to the wiper arm. Test the jets to ensure they work properly and if they are blocked nozzles, use a pin to clear the dust.

But, some wear on tyres is expected since tyres are consonant moving on the road and likely start wearing as you move your vehicle. So, as long as your tyres are above 1.6mm, your vehicle can still pass your MOT test.

Remember to top up your screen wash before you head over to the test centre. A similar concept applies to the fuel cap this must be securely in place with the seal inside without splitting or crumbling away. 

MOT tests aren’t so bad after all. The important thing to remember is that they are there to keep you safe from any road accidents and try to reduce the carbon footprint in the environment.  

If you are worried that your vehicle won’t pass its MOT in Newton, we recommend booking a combined MOT and service program so that if there are minor or major issues found, you can fix that in-house without needing to tow your vehicle to the nearest garage.