Experts Share How To Avoid The Most Common MOT Failures

In 2024, 6.1 million cars failed their MOTs on the first attempt in the UK, with 1.7 million failing due to dangerous defects. 

From tyre, brake, and suspension issues to faulty bulbs, there are a whole host of reasons why cars fail their MOT, most of which can be prevented by simple checks and regular maintenance. 

If you’re keen to avoid joining the failure figures, read on as Kwik Fit’s tyre expert, Elliot Smith, shares his top tips for how you can avoid MOT failure. 

Keep an eye on your dash

It sounds simple, but keeping a close eye on your dashboard warning lights and acting quickly when a red or orange light does show is essential. Believe it or not, your dashboard is not supposed to be lit up like a Christmas tree, and simply “ignoring” lights when they appear is not a foolproof tactic. 

• Your vehicle may fail its MOT if there are any dashboard warning lights showing, especially if they indicate a critical safety issue or emissions problem.  
• Treat every red light like your “low fuel” light and act quickly to sort the issue - and make sure you get orange light issues checked in good time too. For example, things like “Battery Voltage Low”, “Check Engine” and “Airbag Deactivated” are of critical importance. 

Check your tyres regularly

Don’t let something as simple as unsafe tyres be the reason you fail your MOT. Check your tyres regularly for the following things and drive comfortably knowing that your wheels are in good condition:

• Make sure your tyre tread depth is above the legal minimum of 1.6mm; you can do this using the 20p trick.
• Visually inspect your tyres for signs of wear and damage such as scuffs, cracking, or bulging.
• Check that your tyre pressures are what they need to be. If they’re not, here’s how you can inflate your tyres at home. 

If you don’t feel confident about checking your tyres yourself, you can always book in for a free tyre check at your nearest Kwik Fit for answers and ultimate peace of mind.

Make sure your bulbs are working

This simple check always catches drivers out, since it’s so easy to overlook. Before your MOT, make sure that all your external bulbs are working properly, as faulty bulbs could result in a fail. This includes: 

• Headlights (dipped and main beam)
• Sidelights
• Indicators
• Brake lights
• Number plate lights
• Reversing lights
• Rear fog lights.

If one of your headlights is out, the bulb has likely blown - here’s a handy guide to replacing a blown headlight. 

You can also fail your MOT if your bulbs are overly bright or improperly installed or aligned, so make sure that you’re following proper guidance when it comes to bulb brightness and placement. You may also want to give your headlights a good clean, too.

Squeaky clean windscreen

Believe it or not, you can fail your MOT based on the condition of your windscreen! If the tester deems your visibility to be poor due to a dirty or damaged windscreen, that could warrant a fail.

• Clean your windscreen thoroughly, leaving no smears or streaks.
• Check your windscreen for damage like chips or cracks. Depending on the size and location of the damage, this could cause a failure.
• Make sure your windscreen is not excessively tinted or discoloured.

You should check your windscreen wipers too, making sure that they are functioning, free from debris, and in good enough condition to effectively clear your view. For more, read our Guide To Looking After Your Car’s Windscreen.

Double-check your seatbelts

Many drivers wrongly assume that the MOT only tests things on a car’s exterior - but there are plenty of internal checks, too. Most critically for safety: the seatbelts. 

Before your MOT, make sure that all your seatbelts fasten properly, lock, and retract without snags or issues. This includes rear passenger seats and any collapsible seats in the boot.

Clean your car

When was the last time you cleaned the inside of your car? In our recent survey, 22% of drivers said they only cleaned their car every 6 months.  

In that time, significant debris can accumulate - from food wrappers to miscellaneous items and clothing, all of which can be grounds for failure (indirectly) if the tester cannot easily access the parts they need to test or (directly) if clutter obstructs safety components like the pedals.

If your car is extremely messy, the tester can refuse to carry out the test, wasting everyone’s time and your money! Here are some tips:

• Make sure no grime covers your number plate or lights.
• Remove any clutter, especially from the footwells, dashboard, and boot.
• Make sure it is easy to access essential components (like dashboard, boot, seatbelt areas).

Fill up your fluids

During an MOT, several crucial fluids are checked to ensure they aren’t leaking and that you have enough of them. The exact fluids assessed can change depending on your car, but mostly they include:

• Engine oil 
• Coolant 
• Screenwash
• Power steering fluid
• Brake fluid.

Topping up all your fluids before bringing your car in for its MOT is a good measure to avoid unnecessary MOT failure. However, while engine oil, coolant, and screenwash are easy to top up yourself (especially if using Kwik Fit’s handy guides), power steering and brake fluids might require expert help to top up safely, hence why these are usually done in a service before an MOT. 

Focus on brakes

Some of the most common MOT failures are brake-related, often because drivers don’t feel confident maintaining their brakes themselves. But it’s easier than it looks. 

To keep on top of your brake care, you can:

• Book in for a free brake check at Kwik Fit. 
• Regularly conduct a visual inspection of your brakes, looking for damage or thin pads.
• Listen out for any squealing or grinding sounds, especially when applying the brakes to slow down. 

If you think your brakes have seen better days, chat to the experts at Kwik Fit who can diagnose your issues and quickly replace your brake pads before your MOT.

Get support with your suspension

Suspension is another tricky component that’s responsible for a significant chunk of MOT failures. To make sure your suspension is up to standard for your MOT:

• Listen out for any knocks or clunks while driving.
• Feel whether your driving seems bumpier than usual or whether one corner of your vehicle is riding lower than it should.
• Look out for uneven tyre wear.

Book your MOT with Kwik Fit

For more information, see our pre-MOT checks page. To make sure your vehicle passes its MOT with flying colours, book in for a combined service and MOT at your local Kwik Fit.  

If you end up failing your MOT, you can get a free retest, but only if the car is left at the testing station for repair.

For more expert vehicle advice, keep up with the Kwik Fit blog.