What are the most common reasons for MOT failure?

What are the most common reasons for MOT failure?

Failing an MOT can be costly and inconvenient yet motorists can increase their chance of passing this statutory test by carrying out a few simple checks.

As many as 40% of cars and 50% of vans fail their annual MOT first time round as a result of minor faults which could have been identified and corrected prior to the test being carried out. Avoiding failure will save you the cost of a retest fee if you choose to have it done at another MOT service centre and will eliminate any inconvenience. Getting by without a car – even for a day – is a tricky situation, especially if you rely on your car for work or the school run and taking the time to give your vehicle a pre-MOT check could enable you to drive in and out of an MOT in an afternoon.

So what are the most common reasons why cars fail their MOTs?

According to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), formally the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency, the most common reason for MOT failure is lighting failure (effectively a blown bulb) followed by tyre failure (incorrect pressure or worn thread) Both of these problems are easy to spot and fix by an untrained mechanic and will avoid any costly delays to your motoring ability.

To test the amount of tread remaining on a car, use a tread depth gauge which should be available from any good motoring store. By law, tyres have to be 1.6mm or above to be within safety limits however it is highly advisable to change tyres well before they arrive at this depth for the protection of you and your vehicle’s occupants. Worn tyres don’t perform as well in wet weather conditions or in an accident and regardless of MOT requirements it is always worth ensuring they have adequate depth.

Similarly, light bulbs are easily replaced and can be changed independently from a garage providing you pay close attention to the car’s handbook.

Another common reason for failure is damaged windscreen wiper blades. Windscreen wipers can be purchased from some petrol stations, motoring shops and even some supermarkets at a very reasonable cost and could save you in time by helping your vehicle to pass its MOT first time. As soon as your wipers become damaged or fail to adequately clear the screen, it’s time for a replacement. It’s also advisable to top up your screen cleaning fluid prior to a test as will be checked during the MOT.

Thousands of cars fail every year as a result of chipped windscreens. There really is no excuse for driving around with a cracked windscreen which affects driver’s vision as most insurance providers include windscreen repair and replacement as standard and will not penalise motorists for using it. In most situations, claiming for a repair or replaced windscreen will have absolutely no impact on your no claims bonus.

If you are interested in having a pre-MOT check over then give us a call M&BM Motors on 01375 379401.