Why Do Cars Fail MOT Tests?

Why do cars fail MOT tests? Did you know that almost two in five vehicles fail their Ministry of Transport (MOT) test first time? And quite often this is due to minor faults that you could have easily fixed yourself. When your car is three years old, it has to be tested annually to make sure it meets both road safety and environmental standards. In the latest blog from K&M Citroen, we look at MOT tests in a lot more detail. We uncover the defects that are most commonly associated with MOT fails according to Yahoo News research. You might be surprised! We also look at how much MOTs cost and how you can find out when your MOT is next due.

Always check lamps and reflectors

The MOT consists of many checks on your car, ranging from the brakes and fuel system to lights, mirrors, seatbelts, windscreen wipers and exhaust system. A report from Yahoo News UK analysis of Department for Transport (DfT) found that faulty lights and electrics are the most common reason for cars failing their MOT. Most people tend to focus on issues such as worn tyres or brake pads but 26% of faults since 2019 that caused cars to fail MOTs were to do with lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment.

Proportion of MOT test failures by defect category, 2019-2022:

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment 26%

Suspension 19%

Brakes 17%

Tyres 12%

Visibility 9%

Body, chassis, structure 6%

Noise, emissions and leaks 5%

Steering 3%

Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems 2%

Identification of the vehicle 1%

Road Wheels 1%

How do you know your MOT is due?

The date your MOT is due is on your previous MOT certificate. You can check whether your vehicle is taxed and has an MOT by visiting the government website. Just enter the registration of your car and follow the instructions. You can also do this if you have lost your MOT certificate and it only a few seconds to check.

How much do MOT tests cost?

The maximum fees for MOT testing can be found on the government website. For a car with up to eight passenger seats it is £54.85 and a motorcycle is £29.65. As a general rule, the bigger the vehicle the higher the maximum fee.

MOT tests at a glance

• An authorised test centre displays an official blue sign featuring three white triangles
• There is no MOT grace period
• As soon as your MOT has expired it becomes illegal to drive your car on the road
• The only exception is if you are driving to a booked appointment at an MOT testing centre
• You can be prosecuted if you drive without an MOT
• A vehicle cannot be taxed without a current MOT certificate
• The vehicle can be retested up to a month (minus a day) before it expires and keep the original renewal date

How can K&M Citroen help with your MOT tests?

K&M Citroen is an independent local garage located in Crowborough and we only charge our trade/cost price for your MOT. You are certainly under no obligation to have any faults rectified by us, but naturally we hope that our honest and transparent service will be enough to secure any essential works. Once your car has passed its MOT, it doesn’t mean it will stay roadworthy for the following 12 months and regular servicing and checks will be required. Naturally, we hope we can help you with this too. Our sister garage K&M Tyres has a range of tyres available should your vehicle need them to pass the test. Book your car in for its MOT test in advance to secure an appointment by calling 01892 653131.