Getting your car MOT’d is one of those adulting tasks that can feel like a hassle. For some, it’s quick and painless. For others, it can uncover a nightmare list of costly problems. But there’s a third group – the ones who just about pass, but leave the garage with a list of “advisories.”
These are warning signs your car could run into trouble soon – things like tyres nearly worn out, brakes on their last legs, or a small oil leak. And ignoring them? Turns out, that’s a real risk.
A recent survey of nearly 1,500 drivers found that 1 in 6 who ignored an MOT advisory ended up breaking down or crashing because of it. That’s not just inconvenient – it’s dangerous.
The RAC has warned that drivers are becoming worryingly complacent when it comes to advisories. These issues might not fail your MOT right away, but they’re a heads-up that something’s not right and could go seriously wrong in weeks or months.
In fact, government figures show that in 2023, 39 people were killed and over 1,800 were injured in crashes where vehicle defects were a factor. That's the highest it’s been since 2018.
So, why do so many people take the risk?
The same survey found that 42% of drivers got one or more advisories on their last MOT. But more than half of them didn’t do anything about it. Of those, 17% ended up dealing with a breakdown or an accident caused by the ignored fault. It’s a gamble that’s just not worth it.
MOT basics – what actually gets checked?
If your car’s more than three years old, you’ll need an MOT every year. It checks essential safety stuff like:
- Brakes
- Tyres
- Lights
- Seatbelts
If your car has a “major” or “dangerous” defect, it fails instantly. But “minor” issues get listed as advisories – basically, a warning that something’s on the verge of becoming a problem.
How many cars are failing?
In 2023-24, nearly 35 million MOTs were carried out. Almost 8 million failed – that’s more than 1 in 4. Shockingly, 2.7 million failed because of dangerous defects – stuff that could’ve seriously endangered the driver and others on the road.
Are MOTs changing for EVs and modern tech?
Possibly. The UK Government is looking into how to adapt the MOT test to better suit electric vehicles and cars packed with driver-assist tech (like lane-keep assist and emergency braking). The EU is already planning updates that include software checks and more attention to these digital safety systems.
Watch out for MOT scams
New rules are being trialled to stop so-called “Ghost MOTs” – fake certificates given out without the car even being inspected. Some dodgy garages are handing out these “Bluetooth MOTs,” and experts think up to 80% of fake MOTs fall into this category. That’s why some testing stations now have to submit photos as proof the car was actually checked.
Thinking of buying a used car? Check the MOT history
Before buying a car, it’s smart to check how well it’s been maintained. Regit’s MOT history tool lets you see every MOT test a car’s been through – what it failed on, what advisories were issued, and whether problems came back later.
All you need is the registration number. It’s free, and it might save you from buying a car with a dodgy past.
