MOT Advisories – What Do They Mean And What Should I Do?
Have you had an MOT advisory? Here’s a guide on what to do.
If your car has recently undergone its MOT and the garage has given you a list of advisories, you might be wondering what they mean and what steps you need to take next. Occasionally, you may encounter a few problems with your vehicle that require attention. Ensuring the safety of your car is crucial in your everyday life, so it’s essential to address any potential risks promptly.
This guide will delve into MOT advisories and car maintenance and provide valuable tips on saving money and staying safe while driving.
What is an MOT?
If your car is older than three years, you’ll need to undergo the yearly Ministry of Transport (MOT) test to ensure that your vehicle meets road safety and legal requirements.
One of our skilled mechanics will thoroughly examine all the major components in your vehicle. If everything is in proper working condition, you’ll receive a test certificate, allowing you to drive legally for one year.
Occasionally, you might fail the test, requiring additional repairs or replacements before your car is deemed roadworthy. Wrexham Service Centre can carry out the repairs, or you can take your vehicle to your preferred garage.
Driving on UK roads without a valid MOT certificate is not permitted.
Even if your vehicle passes the test, it doesn’t guarantee that you won’t encounter any issues before your next visit to the garage for the subsequent MOT.
Sometimes, when you pass your annual MOT, you will be given a list of minor or potential problems that we advised you to look at as soon as possible – but you can legally drive without addressing them – these are
ADVISORIES.
What is an MOT advisory, and what should I do?
The United Kingdom maintains one of the most comprehensive vehicle safety tests worldwide, offering numerous ways to fail an MOT. MOTs are divided into three categories: Dangerous, Major, and Minor.
If your car contains any Dangerous or Major faults, it will result in an MOT failure. Consequently, you must rectify the issue before being permitted to drive.
On the other hand, if your car has less severe faults, they are categorized as Minor. These defects are not significant enough to cause the vehicle to fail the test.
Following these categories, there is an advisories section on your MOT certificate. It consists of a list of minor issues that could escalate into one of the three main fault categories by your next MOT.
During the test, our MOT examiner will inform you about these issues and provide guidance on the most appropriate actions to take.
While you are legally allowed to drive despite these advisories, ignoring them could result in a future MOT failure or even an accident should the fault worsen.
Our mechanics aim is to anticipate and address any potential future work in advance, which could save you from incurring higher costs later on.
Our recommendation is to address the identified issues promptly. Doing so lets you drive with peace of mind, knowing your vehicle is road-legal and as safe as possible.
NOTE: HAVING AN ADVISORY DOES NOT MEAN YOUR VEHICLE HAS FAILED ITS MOT.
Let’s look at common MOT advisories.
The following advisories are commonly found on MOT certificates and are worth noting for vehicle owners. Although there are potentially dozens of advisories that could affect your vehicle:
Tyres tread depth and general health – One of the most prevalent advisory concerns regarding MOT is the condition of the tyres. In the UK, this is the most frequently mentioned issue. It is crucial to ensure sufficient tread depth on your tyres, particularly when driving in winter weather conditions. If your tyres show signs of cracking or damage, it is imperative to address this promptly. The legal minimum depth for a tyre tread is 2mm in the UK.
Brake pads – Over time, the effectiveness of brake pads diminishes as they wear out. Mechanics often estimate how much longer they will last before needing replacement, as eroded brake lining can negatively impact braking efficiency and pose a safety risk. On average, brake pads have a lifespan of approximately 50,000 miles.
Lights – Lights are essential to every vehicle, serving various functions. If any of the lights have blown, become dimmer, or experienced an electrical issue, they should be replaced. Our mechanics may recommend replacement if the lights have been in use for a considerable period. This precaution ensures that the lights won’t fail while driving, helping to avoid potential fines from law enforcement. Regularly checking your lights and bulbs throughout the year can contribute to maintaining their functionality.
Corrosion – Discovering rust on your car should not cause alarm. However, addressing this issue before it progresses into a more significant problem is crucial. Surface rust or scale rust does not pose an immediate concern. Nonetheless, if the rust penetrates the vehicle’s surface, it can spread to integral parts of the car.
General wear and tear – Your vehicle may have experienced minor incidents like bumps, dents, or scratches throughout the year. Although these might not seem problematic initially, if they result in parts falling off or degrading and causing internal damage, they can compromise the safety of your vehicle and would form part of an advisory.
What if you are buying a used car?
MOT Checker – If you want to purchase a pre-owned car, knowing its past is crucial.
The most efficient and straightforward way to acquire this information is by utilizing the Government’s MOT History Tool. https://www.gov.uk/check-mot-history
By using this tool, you can access the previous records of the vehicle’s MOT tests, including details such as whether it passed or failed, the mileage recorded during each test, the locations where the tests were conducted, the specific components that failed during each test, any minor issues discovered, and the due date for the next MOT.
Please note that this tool only provides results for tests conducted in England, Scotland, or Wales from 2005 onward.
To access this valuable information, ensure you have the vehicle’s registration number and the 11-digit number found in its logbook (V5C).
MOT CODES
During your car’s yearly MOT test, various codes are listed alongside any failed or advisory items. These codes are divided into eleven distinct categories.
Section 0. Vehicle Identification – This section is about the vehicle’s registration plates and identification number.
Section 1: Brakes – One of the common reasons for failing an MOT or receiving an advisory is that this section covers various brakes-related components. It includes the pedal and lever pivot, the air and vacuum systems, the pressure and fluids, the valves, the hydraulic system, and the level of control.
Section 2: Steering – In this section, the mechanic will inspect the steering wheel and column. They will also check the power steering and assess the condition of the steering gear.
Section 3: Visibility – This section focuses on the visibility aspects of the vehicle. It includes the windows, mirrors, windscreen wipers, and the washer system.
Section 4: Lighting & Electrical – Lamps, reflectors, and electrical equipment
Lighting is crucial in vehicle safety, so this section covers everything related to bulbs, lights, reflectors, and other electrical systems.
Section 5: Axles, wheels, tyres, and suspension
In this section, everything related to the wheels is examined. The mechanic pays attention to the bearings, suspension, and axles.
Section 6: Body, structure, and attachments
MOT inspections also involve checking driving controls and the physical framework of the vehicle. The mechanic ensures the doors, transmission, bumpers, exhausts, spare wheel carriers, and engine mountings are in good condition.
Section 7: Other equipment
As vehicles incorporate more technology and safety features, assessing their functionality is essential during an MOT inspection.
Section 8: Nuisance – This section addresses issues related to noise, emissions, and leaks. Any defects found in this section will result in an immediate MOT failure.
Section 9: Supplementary tests for buses and coaches
This section solely pertains to buses and coaches and includes additional tests specific to these vehicles.
Section 10: Seat belt installation checks
The final section thoroughly examines all vehicle seat belts, ensuring their proper installation and functionality.
In summary – MOT advisories act as an early indication that something could lead to an MOT failure in the future or possibly before your current certificate expires.
Even though these issues typically worsen by the time the next MOT is due, addressing them as soon as possible is crucial.
Occasionally, an MOT and the subsequent repairs can be costly, making it impossible to resolve them immediately. However, whenever you have the opportunity, it’s advisable to have them inspected promptly.
Addressing these advisories while still minor faults will save money and maintain your vehicle in the best possible condition. Call Wrexham Service Centre on 01978 265 660 and speak with one of our staff about any repairs you require for further guidance and a quote.