What Happens if Your Car Fails an MOT? Why Car Fails

Every UK car owner feels those pre-MOT jitters. Once your car is over three years old, the yearly inspection is mandatory. But what happens if your car fails an MOT? If it doesn’t pass, you’re issued a VT30 Refusal of an MOT Test Certificate detailing the exact faults. In this guide, we walk you through what an MOT is, how much it costs and why it fails. 

Key Takeaways: What Happens if Your Car Fails an MOT?

If your car fails its MOT, don’t panic. Here is the essential information you need to know about what happens next, presented in a clear, scannable format.

• You Cannot Drive: If your current MOT has already expired, driving the car is illegal (unless driving it to a pre-booked repair or retest).

• The Certificate: The garage issues a “Refusal of an MOT Test Certificate” (VT30), which lists all the dangerous and major faults that caused the failure.

• Fix and Retest: You must get the faults repaired. Once fixed, the car needs to pass a retest. A retest may be free if performed within 10 working days at the original testing station.

• Common Failures: The top reasons for MOT failure are usually simple fixes: faulty light bulbs, worn tyres (less than 1.6mm tread), or problems with brakes.

• Dangerous vs. Minor: Faults are now classified as Dangerous (must be repaired immediately) or Major (must be repaired to pass the MOT).

What is an MOT?

An MOT is a yearly test that is required by law for any car that is over 3-years old (that is registered or has been driven on UK roads). It can be taken at your local garage or at any car dealership that provides such service. If a car is overdue for an MOT or fails an MOT, it cannot be driven on the road until the car has passed it. 

An MOT is not the same as a service, as it does not check the engine, cluck or gearbox.

How Much Does an MOT Cost?

According to the UK Government’s website, an MOT cost for a standard car – which seats up to 8 people, can go up to £54.85. The same price goes for a caravan as well, so most people will pay a maximum £54.85 when their vehicle goes for an MOT.

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Why a Car May Fail an MOT?

A car failing an MOT could be due to a number of reasons. If your car is older, or it has high mileage, then the chances of it failing an MOT is higher. Here is a list of reasons why a car may fail its MOT. According to the DVSA, these are the top reasons:

1. Faulty light bulbs

Your car’s light bulbs will need to be in full working order in order to pass an MOT. It was reported that nearly 1 in 5 light bulbs on cars that had MOTs had issues and caused the cars to fail their MOT.

2. Faults with tyres

Faults with tyres are a common reason why cars can fail MOT. The tyre just has to be slightly worn, have cuts or scratches, not all the same size, or not have enough air in the tyres in order for it to fail an MOT. Luckily, it is easy to inspect whether tyres are fit for purpose as they are on the outside of a car. If you believe your tyres may fail your MOT it is best to get the tyres repaired or replaced before your MOT, as this will save a lot of hassle and a potential MOT failure.

3. Faulty brakes

The DVSA says 1 in 10 MOT failures are caused by faulty brakes, this shows faulty brakes are a common problem for cars. To ensure that your brakes do not fail your MOT, it is a good idea to make sure your car keeps having yearly services, as a service can detect whether there is wear and tear on the brakes before it is inspected in its MOT.

4. Driver’s view of the road

If a driver’s view of a road is impaired, this will cause a car to fail its MOT. If there are objects or stickers that can block a driver’s view, then this will cause a failure. Examples of things that block a driver’s view are toys, air fresheners and faulty windscreen wipers, as the windscreen needs to be able to be cleaned in order for a driver to be able to see the road.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should you take your car for an MOT?

It is strongly recommended that you allow enough time between the expiry date of your MOT and your most recent appointment in case it fails – this way, you will still be able to drive your car home or to a garage where you would like to repair the car before taking it for another MOT.

What you should do if your car fails an MOT

If your car fails an MOT inspection, you will need to get the faults on your car fixed and then have your car take another MOT test. If the faults are fixed, your car should pass the MOT. When your car fails an MOT, it is crucial to get the faults repaired as soon as possible (before your previous MOT expires), as you won’t be able to legally drive your car after that.

Can your Car pass an MOT after it has failed?

Yes. However, if the faults in a car are too serious/major, or in some cases, worth more than the value of the car. Some people would decide to sell their car or part exchange for a new one, which of course, is down to the discretion of the car owner, or it can be advised by the technicians of the test centre.

How long does an MOT take?

An MOT test typically lasts between 45 minutes to an hour. The precise duration can vary based on the condition of your vehicle and the schedule of the garage. 

If your car is found to be in good condition, you will receive your certificate promptly. Conversely, if any issues requiring repairs are identified, the testing process may take a bit longer.

What are the new rules for MOT?

In 2025, MOT rules tighten with stricter brake, wiper, and emission checks, digital verification plans, tougher fraud prevention, and higher tester thresholds, yet annual testing remains vital for UK road safety.

Our advice

It is always best to speak to the technicians about your car’s MOT and follow their advice. For further information on MOT, you can visit the government’s website as they have all the information and legal advice available about getting an MOT for your car.

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