Typical MOT Errors and How to Avoid Them What MOT failures occur most frequently? With the exception of an electric vehicle MOT, practically all MOTs will perform the same inspections. Given this information, it is pretty simple to determine what is examined during a MOT and what the most typical MOT failures are. We've included the most frequent causes of failure along with our best advice for avoiding them during a pre-MOT inspection. Enquire now to book online for MOT special offers. lights, signals, and lamps Broken or blown lights may seem like a small annoyance, but they rank first and account for a staggering 26 percent of MOT failures. One of the simplest things to evaluate before your test is these, and it only takes a few minutes. While driving, enlist assistance and have a friend check your external lights while you check the interior and dashboard lights yourself. Suspension Since most UK drivers probably hit a pothole once a week, it shouldn't come as a surprise that suspension accounts for 18% of failures. It can be a little more difficult to check this, so if you're worried, you can benefit from a professional pre-MOT check. However, you can still keep an ear out for any odd noises when negotiating corners and travelling over uneven ground. Brakes Although one of the most crucial safety characteristics, defective brakes can be a quick path to failure and account for 17% of MOT failures. When using your brakes, listen for any grinding or squeaking noises since this could indicate that they are functioning with excessive wear. For more information, visit our tutorial on how to check brake pads. You should probably ask your mechanic to take a look at it if you apply your handbrake on a slope and notice a lot of rolling before you stop. Tyres Your only point of contact with the ground is through your tyres, which are also carrying the weight of the vehicle and its occupants. Poor tyre condition accounts for 12% of fails. Legally, tyre tread depth must be at least 1.6mm, however the 20p coin test allows you to rapidly determine this. Simply lay a coin between the tread of the tyres, and if the coin's outer rim doesn't show, the tread should be okay. Your tyre should be inflated or deflated to the correct pressure level, and you should look for any physical defects or damage. What should you do if your automobile fails its MOT? If your automobile fails its MOT, it's not the end of the world because you can still get it retested. The cost of a MOT test the second time around is reduced by half as long as you have your car fixed and returned within 10 days. You must absolutely avoid driving without a MOT certification unless you have a minor problem. How to prevent a MOT failure Being ready before your planned test is the greatest way to prevent these most typical MOT failures. This entails getting everything ready to bring to a MOT, creating a MOT checklist, or performing a pre-MOT inspection. A pre-MOT check is one of the simplest ways for drivers to improve their car's chances of passing. It entails quickly inspecting all the places where your MOT is likely to find problems. You can perform these yourself or have a professional do so, and doing so should help you feel more at ease before your vehicle's MOT because you'll know what to expect.