The cost of the most common MOT failures

• A recent study from Moneyboat has looked to reveal the cost of the most common MOT failures
• Nearly 20% of MOT failures are due to electrical faults and can cost up to £1,500 to fix
• Experts provide tips to car owners on how to avoid costly MOT failure fees

Over the past 12 months, searches for ‘cannot afford to fix car’ have risen by 33%, suggesting that Brits are looking for ways to save their pennies and cut unexpected costs. 

Considering this, Moneyboat has used reported government data² to reveal the most popular reasons cars can fail their MOT. They’ve also teamed up with managing director, Kamran Saleem from MotorServ UK, to show how much these failures may set you back and some top tips to help ensure your car passes its MOT. 

The top 5 MOT fails and how much they can cost to fix.

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment – up to £1,500

The most common reason cars were found to fail their MOT is down to lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment not working, with 18.9% of vehicles failing due to this, as reported by the RAC². This could mean the bulb in your brake light has gone, or the lenses over your lights get misty. 

According to Kamran, this can cost anywhere from £2-£3 per bulb but can also go up to £1,500 depending on the complexity of the fault and the model of the car. 

To prevent your car from failing its MOT due to faulty lights and electrical equipment, Kamran advises switching all your lights on and walking around your vehicle to check they’re in working order. Look to check if the lights have gone misty or cracked before your MOT so you’re aware of the state they’re in.

Suspension- up to £2000

MOT Data has shown that 13% of cars fail their MOT due to damage to the suspension², which in some cases can cost up to £2,000 to fix.

Unexpected costs to fix your suspension can be mainly prevented by avoiding big potholes when driving, as well as going over speed bumps at speed or mounting kerbs.

Brakes- up to £750

One in 10 (10%) of MOTs fail due to issues with brakes², according to the RAC. With brakes costing up to £750 to fix, Kamran suggests the following to make sure you prolong the life of them:

• Avoiding any heavy braking 
• Don’t overpack your car; keep your car light by avoiding carrying heavy objects 
• Have brake fluid flushed regularly 
• Inspect brakes are in working order regularly 

Tyres- up to £400

Tyres are the 4th most common reason people fail their MOT, with 7.7% of MOTs failing due to this².  Karman has shared some things you can do to avoid unexpected MOT failures and costs of up to £400 for specially fitted tyres:

• Regularly monitor your tyre pressure. Preferably once a week or before you go on a long journey. The more you drive, the more frequently tyres should be checked. 
• Check tyres regularly for punctures, lumps and tears.
• Check the thread isn’t worn away 

Visibility- up to £2,000

Cracks and chips on the windscreen can sometimes be inevitable when driving. However, when a crack appears, it can impact the driver’s vision. Research done by the RAC² revealed 7.2% of MOTs have failed due to cracked or chipped screens. 

As soon as you see a chip, it is vital to do something about it immediately. A chip can easily be repaired by injecting an epoxy or acrylic adhesive into it, preventing the crack from travelling and the whole windscreen from having to be replaced. 

Karman has advised that replacing an entire windscreen can vary from car to car but can start at around £180 up to £2,000, depending on the model and make of the vehicle. A Bentley Bentayga with night vision Infrared function can be £8k for a replacement screen!

A spokesperson at Moneyboat comments: “With rising costs impacting everyone daily, an unexpected expense is something everyone would like to avoid, so it’s essential to be aware of things we can do daily to avoid costs we’re unprepared for.”

“Hopefully, these tips can help those with cars keep their costs down by ensuring they’re regularly checking for any faults before they get out of hand and costly.”