Top 10 most common MOT failures

Surprisingly, less than 1% of all UK MOT failures happen because the car can't be identified. Some fun examples might include rare vehicles like the Glenfrome Facet or the Oscar-Mayer Wienermobile.

This one’s pretty straightforward: seat belts are the most important safety feature in your car during a crash. Along with other restraint systems, they’re responsible for about 2% of MOT failures each year.

Next time you're idling with the engine on, try turning the steering wheel slightly from side to side to check for any looseness. If there's an issue, it might be one of the 4% of MOT failures caused by this. 

Whether it’s a stone caught in the brake caliper or a loose door panel, it's always a good idea to get strange noises checked out. The same goes for leaks (any leak = bad news) and emissions issues.

Rust and corrosion are usually problems you see with older cars but where you store your car can also make a difference.

Now we’re getting into the more niche issues drivers face, like visibility problems. These make up about 10% of MOT failures and are often caused by things like bird droppings or mud on your windscreen and other key areas. The fix? Try not to park under trees overnight.

The more you drive, the more your tyre tread wears down. It’s a good idea to check your tyres regularly and replace them as needed—it’ll vary depending on your car and how you drive.

Obviously, brakes are super important, so make sure you’re checking them regularly.

Over time, suspension parts like joints, linkages, dampers, and springs wear out—or pretty much explode if you hit a pothole. And let’s be real, that’s most of the UK roads. If your car’s not gliding smoothly or is making weird noises, it’s time to get it checked.

According to the UK's DVSA (via eBay research), the top reason for MOT failures by far is a faulty bulb, reflector, or indicator.