Motorists could fail their MOT over these unusual mistakes

·       7.3 million Brits fail their MOT each year 

·       Cars that fail their MOTs cost over £325 on average to fix  

Over 7.3 million Brits fail their MOT each year, with 14% of failures due to minor number plate issues¹. With September marking the arrival of new car registration plates, it’s crucial to ensure your vehicle meets MOT standards and to avoid these often-overlooked mistakes. 

From registration plates to seatbelts, Simon Waye, technical support engineer at ATS Euromaster has highlighted six unusual yet preventable mistakes that can cause a disappointing test, and a bill reaching over £300 to fix. 

1.       Registration Plates 

One of the most common, yet easily preventable, MOT failures involve number plates. Ensure your plates are clean, clearly visible, and securely fixed. 

For drivers with personalised plates, it’s crucial that the spacing and font comply with legal requirements, as non-compliant plates are flagged during MOT tests. 

2.       Loud Car Horns  

Shockingly, a car horn can cause your vehicle to fail its MOT. A car horn needs to sound properly with an appropriate warning sound for your vehicle to pass, as they are primarily used for alerting other drivers as to your whereabouts and are, essentially, a safety feature. 

However, excessively loud horns that may deafen other drivers may also warrant a failure, as they function as a distraction from the road. 

3.       Misshapen Tyres 

With the UK having an estimated 1 million potholes, it’s not surprising that they are causing damage to cars across the nation. 

Misshapen types and flat spots in the wheels are areas of damage that are likely caused by potholes. We recommend you carefully check over these areas before your test, to save yourself an average cost of £200 to have it put right during an MOT. 

4.       Seatbelt wear and tear 

When was the last time you checked the quality of your seatbelt? Yet, a vehicle technician will look at whether your seatbelt has any tears or knots, and how easily the seatbelt retracts for an MOT. 

If a frayed seat belt is not tended to, drivers are risking their own safety as well as their passengers’. A worn-out belt is unlikely to click in place securely and may come loose with a tug, meaning they are not safe. A new seatbelt could cost you up to £100, so keeping it in good condition will avoid incurring any additional costs. 

5.       Dirty car 

You can fail an MOT before the test has even begun if your car is deemed dirty, as a vehicle technician can refuse to carry out the test. Your number plates also need to be clean and visible during your test. This rule is in place so that the police and other road users as well as speed cameras can easily identify a car. 

On top of a failed MOT test, an unclear registration plate can also lead to an on-the-spot fine of £1,000. Under the Highway Code, drivers must ensure “lights, indicators, reflectors and number plates must be kept clean and clear” as part of vehicle maintenance. 

6.       Fluid levels 

General fluid levels, such as brake fluids can cause you to fail if they are significantly low at the time of your test. Your MOT tester will check that the amount of fluid in the reservoirs meet the minimum level, so check it over in advance. 

A surprising MOT fail comes from the fluid level of your windscreen wash, as 71% of UK drivers didn’t realise that running out of water in your screen wash bottle would count as a fail. If it is too low and no water can spray out, then your tester may have no choice but to fail your car. 

Fluid costs, on average, £12, so make sure to keep some handy so that you don’t fall short of the minimum level before an MOT. 

For more advice and tips on how to make sure your vehicle doesn’t fail its MOT, follow this useful checklist ahead of your test.