What Are the Major Causes of MOT Failure and How to Avoid Them?
Every year, thousands of vehicles are tested for the MOT, and among these, around a quarter fail their MOT. This might surprise some drivers, but it is true, and a majority of these failures occur because vehicles are not properly maintained. The issues that lead to failure can be easily identified and fixed before the test. An MOT inspection normally catches common faults with a vehicle. Giving the vehicle a little attention before the test can make a majority of these issues easily preventable. What’s important is that drivers know what to look for. This blog post will provide a detailed breakdown of exactly what these issues are and how drivers can look for them to prevent their vehicle from failing its MOT.
Simple to Check: Lighting Faults
The most consistent faults found during an MOT are issues with the lighting components. Every year, a large number of Every year, thousands of vehicles are tested for the MOT, and among these, around a quarter fail their MOT. This might surprise some drivers, but it is true, and a majority of these failures occur because vehicles are not properly maintained. The issues that lead to failure can be easily identified and fixed before the test. An MOT inspection normally catches common faults with a vehicle. Giving the vehicle a little attention before the test can make a majority of these issues easily preventable. What’s important is that drivers know what to look for. This blog post will provide a detailed breakdown of exactly what these issues are and how drivers can look for them to prevent their vehicle from failing its MOT.
Simple to Check: Lighting Faults
The most consistent faults found during an MOT are issues with the lighting components. Every year, a large number of MOT failures are caused because either the lights of a vehicle are not positioned or are not working properly. These can be issues like a blown headlight, a faulty brake light, a non-functioning indicator, or a number plate light that has stopped working. This becomes particularly avoidable as all of these issues are simple to resolve and identify. Checking the lights during a walk-around of the car with the lights on takes five minutes. Checking brake lights can be done by driving back to a reflective area or having someone standing behind the vehicle and pressing the pedal. The bulbs are cheap and simple to change, and a lot of drivers can do it themselves. Coming for an MOT test with a broken bulb is one of the most avoidable faults and one of the most annoying, as it won't require much effort, time, or skill to change.
Addressing Tyre Issues and Keeping Them Maintained
The other area where failures happen frequently and are easily preventable is tyres. In the MOT test, the tread depth of all four tyres is measured, and any tyre that is below the legal minimum of 1.6 mm fails the test automatically. If there is any bulge in the tyre, any deep crack in the sidewalls, or any damage to the structure of the tyre, that vehicle is going to fail the MOT test. None of these issues occurs suddenly, and they take time to build up. Hence, if a driver monitors his or her tyres, he or she will notice issues before they become obvious. There are tread wear indicators in the grooves of tyres that will also help to know when a tyre is reaching its limits. Any tyre that is close to the limit before the test day will cost less money if changed in time than taking a risk of MOT failure and retesting. A visual inspection of your tyres will take very little time and solve a major issue that a majority of drivers face.
Checking Brakes Issues
The brakes of the car are considered to be one of the most important safety-related components. They have to be checked thoroughly during an MOT test. Worn pads and discs, uneven braking from wheel to wheel, or poor brake fluid condition are common reasons why the brakes can be the reason for a vehicle's MOT failure. But the problem is that the brake wear happens gradually, and people usually do not notice it unless it has reached a certain point. Some signs that drivers should look out for before their vehicle's MOT to avoid the brakes being the leading cause of failure are: if there is a noise when braking, pulling of the car on the brakes towards one side, or a soft brake pedal. If drivers experience any such issues before the MOT test day, then they should get the issues checked and resolved.
Proper Maintenance of the Steering and Suspension System
The deterioration of suspension and steering systems is also a major reason for the majority of MOT failures each year. Shock absorbers, ball joints, and components of the steering systems all deteriorate slowly over time. If a car is difficult to handle over bumps, is not able to stay straight on a straight road, or is being pulled to one side, it could be having some suspension or steering problems, which will be identified when the tests are done and can cause failure. To identify and resolve such issues, drivers can take the help of experts and have an MOT-ready vehicle.
Conclusion
A majority of the time, MOT failures occur due to defects that could easily have been identified much earlier, before the testing day. Drivers should conduct simple tests on the lights, tyres, braking system, steering, and suspension of their vehicles to pick out any possible defects before their vehicles fail the MOT test. Such a proactive approach will not only increase the probability of passing the test but also make it easier to drive safely for the rest of the year. Vehicle preparation for the MOT test must not only be done during the days when the test is conducted, but the vehicle also requires maintenance throughout the year. Maintenance and regular checks of the vital parts of the vehicle help keep the vehicle in good shape and avoid any unnecessary cost of repairing the vehicle.
Failures are caused because either the lights of a vehicle are not positioned or are not working properly. These can be issues like a blown headlight, a faulty brake light, a non-functioning indicator, or a number plate light that has stopped working. This becomes particularly avoidable as all of these issues are simple to resolve and identify. Checking the lights during a walk-around of the car with the lights on takes five minutes. Checking brake lights can be done by driving back to a reflective area or having someone standing behind the vehicle and pressing the pedal. The bulbs are cheap and simple to change, and a lot of drivers can do it themselves. Coming for an MOT test with a broken bulb is one of the most avoidable faults and one of the most annoying, as it won't require much effort, time, or skill to change.
Addressing Tyre Issues and Keeping Them Maintained
The other area where failures happen frequently and are easily preventable is tyres. In the MOT test, the tread depth of all four tyres is measured, and any tyre that is below the legal minimum of 1.6 mm fails the test automatically. If there is any bulge in the tyre, any deep crack in the sidewalls, or any damage to the structure of the tyre, that vehicle is going to fail the MOT test. None of these issues occurs suddenly, and they take time to build up. Hence, if a driver monitors his or her tyres, he or she will notice them before the issues become easily noticeable. There are tread wear indicators in the grooves of tyres that will also help to know when a tyre is reaching its limits. Any tyre that is close to the limit before the test day will cost less money if changed in time than taking a risk of MOT failure and retesting. A visual inspection of your tyres will take very little time and solve a major issue that a majority of drivers face.
Checking Brakes Issues
The brakes of the car are considered to be one of the most important safety-related components. They have to be checked thoroughly during an MOT test. Worn pads and discs, uneven braking from wheel to wheel, or poor brake fluid condition are common reasons why the brakes can be the reason for a vehicle's MOT failure. But the problem is that the brake wear happens gradually, and people usually do not notice it unless it has reached a certain point. Some signs that drivers should look out for before their vehicle's MOT to avoid the brakes being the leading cause of failure are: if there is a noise when braking, pulling of the car on the brakes towards one side, or a soft brake pedal. If drivers experience any such issues before the MOT test day, then they should get the issues checked and resolved.
Proper Maintenance of the Steering and Suspension System
The deterioration of suspension and steering systems is also a major reason for the majority of MOT failures each year. Shock absorbers, ball joints, and components of the steering systems all deteriorate slowly over time. If a car is difficult to handle over bumps, is not able to stay straight on a straight road, or is being pulled to one side, it could be having some suspension or steering problems, which will be identified when the tests are done and can cause failure. To identify and resolve such issues, drivers can take the help of experts and have an MOT-ready vehicle.
Conclusion
A majority of the time, MOT failures occur due to defects that could easily have been identified much earlier, before the testing day. Drivers should conduct simple tests on the lights, tyres, braking system, steering, and suspension of their vehicles to pick out any possible defects before their vehicles fail the MOT test. Such a proactive approach will not only increase the probability of passing the test but also make it easier to drive safely for the rest of the year. Vehicle preparation for the MOT test must not only be done during the days when the test is conducted, but the vehicle also requires maintenance throughout the year. Maintenance and regular checks of the vital parts of the vehicle help keep the vehicle in good shape and avoid any unnecessary cost of repairing the vehicle.
Simple to Check: Lighting Faults
The most consistent faults found during an MOT are issues with the lighting components. Every year, a large number of Every year, thousands of vehicles are tested for the MOT, and among these, around a quarter fail their MOT. This might surprise some drivers, but it is true, and a majority of these failures occur because vehicles are not properly maintained. The issues that lead to failure can be easily identified and fixed before the test. An MOT inspection normally catches common faults with a vehicle. Giving the vehicle a little attention before the test can make a majority of these issues easily preventable. What’s important is that drivers know what to look for. This blog post will provide a detailed breakdown of exactly what these issues are and how drivers can look for them to prevent their vehicle from failing its MOT.
Simple to Check: Lighting Faults
The most consistent faults found during an MOT are issues with the lighting components. Every year, a large number of MOT failures are caused because either the lights of a vehicle are not positioned or are not working properly. These can be issues like a blown headlight, a faulty brake light, a non-functioning indicator, or a number plate light that has stopped working. This becomes particularly avoidable as all of these issues are simple to resolve and identify. Checking the lights during a walk-around of the car with the lights on takes five minutes. Checking brake lights can be done by driving back to a reflective area or having someone standing behind the vehicle and pressing the pedal. The bulbs are cheap and simple to change, and a lot of drivers can do it themselves. Coming for an MOT test with a broken bulb is one of the most avoidable faults and one of the most annoying, as it won't require much effort, time, or skill to change.
Addressing Tyre Issues and Keeping Them Maintained
The other area where failures happen frequently and are easily preventable is tyres. In the MOT test, the tread depth of all four tyres is measured, and any tyre that is below the legal minimum of 1.6 mm fails the test automatically. If there is any bulge in the tyre, any deep crack in the sidewalls, or any damage to the structure of the tyre, that vehicle is going to fail the MOT test. None of these issues occurs suddenly, and they take time to build up. Hence, if a driver monitors his or her tyres, he or she will notice issues before they become obvious. There are tread wear indicators in the grooves of tyres that will also help to know when a tyre is reaching its limits. Any tyre that is close to the limit before the test day will cost less money if changed in time than taking a risk of MOT failure and retesting. A visual inspection of your tyres will take very little time and solve a major issue that a majority of drivers face.
Checking Brakes Issues
The brakes of the car are considered to be one of the most important safety-related components. They have to be checked thoroughly during an MOT test. Worn pads and discs, uneven braking from wheel to wheel, or poor brake fluid condition are common reasons why the brakes can be the reason for a vehicle's MOT failure. But the problem is that the brake wear happens gradually, and people usually do not notice it unless it has reached a certain point. Some signs that drivers should look out for before their vehicle's MOT to avoid the brakes being the leading cause of failure are: if there is a noise when braking, pulling of the car on the brakes towards one side, or a soft brake pedal. If drivers experience any such issues before the MOT test day, then they should get the issues checked and resolved.
Proper Maintenance of the Steering and Suspension System
The deterioration of suspension and steering systems is also a major reason for the majority of MOT failures each year. Shock absorbers, ball joints, and components of the steering systems all deteriorate slowly over time. If a car is difficult to handle over bumps, is not able to stay straight on a straight road, or is being pulled to one side, it could be having some suspension or steering problems, which will be identified when the tests are done and can cause failure. To identify and resolve such issues, drivers can take the help of experts and have an MOT-ready vehicle.
Conclusion
A majority of the time, MOT failures occur due to defects that could easily have been identified much earlier, before the testing day. Drivers should conduct simple tests on the lights, tyres, braking system, steering, and suspension of their vehicles to pick out any possible defects before their vehicles fail the MOT test. Such a proactive approach will not only increase the probability of passing the test but also make it easier to drive safely for the rest of the year. Vehicle preparation for the MOT test must not only be done during the days when the test is conducted, but the vehicle also requires maintenance throughout the year. Maintenance and regular checks of the vital parts of the vehicle help keep the vehicle in good shape and avoid any unnecessary cost of repairing the vehicle.
Failures are caused because either the lights of a vehicle are not positioned or are not working properly. These can be issues like a blown headlight, a faulty brake light, a non-functioning indicator, or a number plate light that has stopped working. This becomes particularly avoidable as all of these issues are simple to resolve and identify. Checking the lights during a walk-around of the car with the lights on takes five minutes. Checking brake lights can be done by driving back to a reflective area or having someone standing behind the vehicle and pressing the pedal. The bulbs are cheap and simple to change, and a lot of drivers can do it themselves. Coming for an MOT test with a broken bulb is one of the most avoidable faults and one of the most annoying, as it won't require much effort, time, or skill to change.
Addressing Tyre Issues and Keeping Them Maintained
The other area where failures happen frequently and are easily preventable is tyres. In the MOT test, the tread depth of all four tyres is measured, and any tyre that is below the legal minimum of 1.6 mm fails the test automatically. If there is any bulge in the tyre, any deep crack in the sidewalls, or any damage to the structure of the tyre, that vehicle is going to fail the MOT test. None of these issues occurs suddenly, and they take time to build up. Hence, if a driver monitors his or her tyres, he or she will notice them before the issues become easily noticeable. There are tread wear indicators in the grooves of tyres that will also help to know when a tyre is reaching its limits. Any tyre that is close to the limit before the test day will cost less money if changed in time than taking a risk of MOT failure and retesting. A visual inspection of your tyres will take very little time and solve a major issue that a majority of drivers face.
Checking Brakes Issues
The brakes of the car are considered to be one of the most important safety-related components. They have to be checked thoroughly during an MOT test. Worn pads and discs, uneven braking from wheel to wheel, or poor brake fluid condition are common reasons why the brakes can be the reason for a vehicle's MOT failure. But the problem is that the brake wear happens gradually, and people usually do not notice it unless it has reached a certain point. Some signs that drivers should look out for before their vehicle's MOT to avoid the brakes being the leading cause of failure are: if there is a noise when braking, pulling of the car on the brakes towards one side, or a soft brake pedal. If drivers experience any such issues before the MOT test day, then they should get the issues checked and resolved.
Proper Maintenance of the Steering and Suspension System
The deterioration of suspension and steering systems is also a major reason for the majority of MOT failures each year. Shock absorbers, ball joints, and components of the steering systems all deteriorate slowly over time. If a car is difficult to handle over bumps, is not able to stay straight on a straight road, or is being pulled to one side, it could be having some suspension or steering problems, which will be identified when the tests are done and can cause failure. To identify and resolve such issues, drivers can take the help of experts and have an MOT-ready vehicle.
Conclusion
A majority of the time, MOT failures occur due to defects that could easily have been identified much earlier, before the testing day. Drivers should conduct simple tests on the lights, tyres, braking system, steering, and suspension of their vehicles to pick out any possible defects before their vehicles fail the MOT test. Such a proactive approach will not only increase the probability of passing the test but also make it easier to drive safely for the rest of the year. Vehicle preparation for the MOT test must not only be done during the days when the test is conducted, but the vehicle also requires maintenance throughout the year. Maintenance and regular checks of the vital parts of the vehicle help keep the vehicle in good shape and avoid any unnecessary cost of repairing the vehicle.
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