My Car Failed Its MOT: Next Steps and Common Reasons for Failure

Discovering your car has failed its MOT can be a frustrating and stressful experience. It often brings worries about costly repairs, unexpected garage visits, and the hassle of being without your vehicle. However, an MOT failure is not the end of the road. Understanding why it failed and what to do next is crucial to getting you back on the road legally and safely.

At Ship Cars Ltd, while our expertise lies in international vehicle logistics, we understand that a valid MOT is a cornerstone of UK vehicle ownership. This guide will walk you through the immediate steps to take, explain the different types of failure, and detail the most common reasons cars fail, helping you to be better prepared in the future.

Part 1: Immediate Steps After an MOT Failure

Stay calm and methodical. The actions you take immediately after the failure can save you time and money.

1. Understand the MOT Certificate

You will be given two documents: a VT30 MOT Failure Certificate and a VT32 MOT Inspection Checklist. Do not lose these.

• The VT30 Certificate: This is the official failure notice. It confirms your car has failed and lists the specific, categorised reasons why.
• The VT32 Checklist: This is a detailed report from the tester, showing the condition of every item checked during the test.

2. Know the Failure Categories: Dangerous, Major, and Minor

Since 2018, MOT faults are categorised. This is the most important thing to understand. car shipping services

Crucial Note on Driving a Failed Car: If your car has Dangerous faults, you cannot drive it away. If it has only Major faults, you may be allowed to drive it only if your old MOT certificate is still valid, and you are driving to a pre-arranged repair appointment or to a place where it will be repaired. It is illegal to drive it for any other purpose.

3. Decide Where to Get the Repairs Done

You have two main options:

• Repairs at the Test Centre: You can ask the MOT centre that conducted the test to fix the issues. They will provide a quote. The advantage is convenience, and once repaired, they can retest the car, often for a reduced fee or sometimes for free if it’s done within a certain timeframe.
• Repairs at Your Own Garage: You are not obligated to use the test centre for repairs. You can take the VT30 and VT32 documents to a garage you trust, which may offer a more competitive price. The car will then need to be taken back for a full or partial retest. International Container Shipping

Part 2: The MOT Retest Process

Once the repairs are complete, the car must undergo a retest. The rules around retests are designed to be fair and can save you money.

• Partial Retest: If you bring the car back to the same test centre for a retest within 10 working days, you will only be charged a partial retest fee. This fee is lower than a full MOT and covers only the items that previously failed.
• Full Retest: If you take the car to a different test centre, or if it is presented for a retest after 10 working days, you will have to pay for a full MOT test again.

The ‘First Time’ Rule: Some repairs qualify for a free retest. If the car is left at the test centre for repair and is ready for a retest by the end of the next working day, the retest itself is free. You will still pay for the repairs.

Part 3: Common Reasons for MOT Failure (And How to Avoid Them)

Many MOT failures are easily preventable with basic, regular checks. Here are the most frequent reasons cars fail, according to the DVSA.

1. Lamps, Reflectors, and Electrical Equipment (Nearly 30% of all failures)

• The Problem: Blown bulbs for headlights, brake lights, and indicators. Misaligned headlights that dazzle other drivers.
• How to Avoid It: Once a month, turn on your headlights (dipped and main beam), hazard lights, and have someone stand behind the car while you press the brake pedal to check all rear lights. Check your indicators. It’s a 2-minute check that can save a failure.

2. Suspension (Over 13% of failures)

• The Problem: Worn shock absorbers, broken springs, and damaged suspension joints. This affects the car’s handling and stability. Roll On Roll Off Shipping
• How to Avoid It: Listen for new knocking or clunking noises when going over bumps. If the car bounces excessively after hitting a bump or feels unstable in corners, get it checked before the MOT.

3. Brakes (Over 10% of failures)

• The Problem: Worn brake pads or discs, imbalanced braking, and issues with the brake fluid.
• How to Avoid It: Be alert to a spongy brake pedal, pulling to one side when braking, or new grinding noises. These are clear signs your brakes need attention.

4. Tyres (Over 10% of failures)

• The Problem: The most common tyre issues are illegal tread depth (below 1.6mm), cuts, bulges, and incorrect pressures.
• How to Avoid It: Use the “20p test” to check tread depth monthly. Insert a 20p coin into the tread grooves. If the outer band of the coin is visible, your tread may be illegal. Also, check for any visible damage and maintain correct pressures.

5. Visibility Issues

• The Problem: The driver’s view of the road is obstructed. This includes large cracks or chips in the windscreen directly in the driver’s line of sight (within a 290mm area in front of the steering wheel), and broken or ineffective windscreen wipers.
• How to Avoid It: Inspect your windscreen for damage and replace wiper blades if they are smearing or failing to clear the screen effectively.

6. Exhaust, Fuel, and Emissions

• The Problem: A noisy exhaust caused by a leak, or the car producing excessive emissions, often due to a faulty lambda sensor, catalytic converter, or issues with the fuel system.
• How to Avoid It: A suddenly loud exhaust is a clear sign of a problem. For emissions, ensuring your engine is well-serviced is the best prevention. Essential UK Car Shipping Rules You Need to Know

Part 4: If You Disagree with the MOT Result

If you believe the MOT failure was incorrect, you have the right to appeal.

1. Do not argue with the tester. Politely take your failure documents and leave.
2. Within 14 working days, you can appeal the decision by completing a ‘VT17’ form, available online from the GOV.UK website.
3. Your car will then be tested again by a different MOT tester at a DVSA-authorized testing station. If the appeal is successful, your fee will be refunded. If it fails again, you will have to pay for the second test.

A Final Thought on Vehicle Standards

An MOT certificate is a legal requirement for a reason—it ensures a basic standard of safety and roadworthiness for all road users in the UK. While a failure is an inconvenience, it is ultimately a mechanism that identifies issues which could have led to a breakdown or, worse, an accident.

At Ship Cars Ltd, we see this principle echoed in international vehicle standards. Just as an MOT ensures a car is fit for UK roads, strict compliance and preparation are required to ensure a vehicle is fit for international shipping and meets the legal and safety standards of its destination country. In both cases, proper preparation and adherence to regulations are the keys to a smooth, successful journey. Contact us

By understanding the MOT process and performing simple, regular checks, you can significantly increase your chances of a first-time pass, saving you time, money, and stress.