What Happens When A Minor Fault Turns Into An MOT Fail?

Posted by Douglas Tyre
6
Jun 17, 2025
231 Views

Taking your car for the MOT test feels stressful as it takes a lot of things to be inspected. You might think that your car is fine, but the garage can tell you whether the car is roadworthy or not. This can be very difficult to know, especially when the fault seems to be small. Most people think, How can a small car make your car fail in the MOT test? But even a tiny thing can make your car fail in the MOT tests and cause major problems in your car. The small problems might look small at first, but they can escalate to a major concern. This might turn into a big problem if it is not fixed at the right time. Let's read more through this blog about how minor issues turn into big trouble when it comes to passing the MOT test.   

Sometimes the fault might look small, but it can invite big trouble. The problem always starts out minor, but the neglect makes it worse. It can affect the safety and handling of the vehicle. For example, if the windscreen has a tiny crack, it might not seem like a big deal, but this problem can arise later. If the crack is in the driver's sight, then it can disturb the driver and can even block the view.   

Such things are not safe and can make the vehicle fail in MOT tests. This compromises the safety of the vehicle. Another thing that can make the vehicle fail in the MOT test is worn-out tyres. The tyre may seem to be a little low on the tread, but if it's too worn, it affects the grip on the road. This makes the car take more time to stop. This is how small issues elevate into big issues.   

How are these issues proven to be a concern for safety?   

The mot test is all about safety and roadworthiness. The MOT test checks whether the car is safe for you, your passengers and others on the road. Even if the car has a small problem, it can hurt your vehicle and you may hurt someone, it's not a “minor” problem. Such issues become a big problem for your vehicle. Let's suppose that if the brake lights are not working, this might be a small problem.   

As you just need to fix the bulb, it could be a major problem in the future. The vehicle coming from behind you needs to know when you are apply brakes which they won’t be able to. This can lead to collisions and other major consequences. It can still fail the MOT Darlington, if it's not fixed. That is why it is recommended to fix all the issues, even the small ones, to keep them safe.   

The technicians who test your car won’t follow the rules. They just follow the list of checks that need to be done the same way for every car. If there is something which breaks the rule. Even just a bit, then they just fail it for safety purposes. If, suppose, the number plate is cracked, you and the others can still read what is written on it. But according to the rule, this has to be in good condition to pass the test. Even a chipped plate can be a problem in passing the test. This might seem to be picky, but the tester is just following the rules in the rulebook.  

Final Thoughts  

Nobody wants to fail the MOT test, as failing can make you unable to drive on the road. Failure because of minor issues can be very daunting. But these small faults can be a big problem later as they can affect the safety and stability of the vehicle. When fixing all the problems, keep the car safe and the roads safer. The minor problem can become a major issue tomorrow and even cause fatal accidents. Fixing these issues can save you from other problems.   

Let's suppose the exhaust pipe is making strange sounds, but it seems to be okay if it still works perfectly. After some time, that rattle or strange noise means that the pipe is loose and it needs repairing. If the pipe falls off while driving, then it can be a major problem or can even be hazardous. If the small problem soon becomes a big problem, the car will not pass the test with ease. The best way to avoid these faults is to check your car more often. Inspecting your car more will help in avoiding last-minute surprises. So, when you take your car for a MOT test next time, do fix all the issues, even if they're minor, to pass the test and to avoid costly retesting of the vehicle.


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