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MOT

What happens if your car fails its MOT?

Updated 3 min readSources: GOV.UK

Quick answer

The result lists problems as dangerous, major, minor or advisory, and only dangerous and major problems cause a fail. You can drive the car away only if your current MOT is still valid and nothing dangerous was listed. A retest within 10 working days is free or carries a partial fee, depending on where the repairs are done.

Key facts

What causes a fail
Dangerous or major problems
Can you drive it away?
Only if your MOT is still valid and nothing dangerous was listed
Free retest
Car left at the test centre for repair, retested within 10 working days
Driving a dangerous vehicle
Fine up to £2,500, 3 penalty points, possible ban
In this article

What the four result types mean

Dangerous
A direct and immediate risk to road safety or the environment. The car fails and must not be driven until it is repaired.
Major
May affect safety, put other road users at risk or harm the environment. The car fails and needs repairing promptly.
Minor
No significant effect on safety or the environment. The car can still pass; fix it as soon as is practical.
Advisory
Not a defect category. Something that is not bad enough to fail but could get worse, so keep an eye on it.

Can you drive your car after it fails?

You can take it away only if both of these are true: your current MOT is still valid, and no dangerous problems were listed. Otherwise it needs repairing before you drive it.

If your MOT has already run out, you can drive only to have the failed items fixed or to a retest you have already booked. Never drive a car with a dangerous defect.

Warning: Even when you can legally drive it, the car must still meet minimum roadworthiness standards at all times, or you can be fined. Driving a vehicle that failed with a dangerous problem can mean a fine of up to £2,500, a driving ban and 3 penalty points.

What to do next

  1. Read the failure list and ask the tester to explain each item: what failed, what must be fixed, and what is only advice.
  2. Get a written quote for the repairs. You can ask more than one garage; the work does not have to be done where the test was.
  3. Ask how your choice affects the retest fee. Leaving the car at the test centre can keep the retest free; taking it elsewhere can mean a partial fee.
  4. Have the car retested within 10 working days.

What a retest costs

  • Left at the test centre for repair, retested within 10 working days: no fee. Only the failed items are rechecked.
  • Taken away for repair, brought back within 10 working days: you can be charged a partial retest fee.
  • After 10 working days: a full retest at the full fee.

For the maximum full fee, see how much an MOT costs.

Tip: If a garage suggests extra work that is not on the failure sheet, ask why, ask for the price in writing, and ask to see the old part. Your rights after a repair explains what you can expect.

Common questions

Do minor or advisory items make the car fail?

No. Only dangerous and major problems cause a fail. Minor and advisory items are things to fix or keep an eye on.

Do I have to repair the car at the garage that tested it?

No. You can take the vehicle away for repair, but the retest fee then depends on the rules above, so ask before you decide.

What if my MOT has expired and the car failed?

You can drive it only to have the failed items fixed or to a retest you have already booked, and only if nothing dangerous was listed. If it was marked dangerous, do not drive it.

How long do I have for a cheaper retest?

10 working days. After that you need a full retest and the full fee.

Sources

Facts last checked against these pages on .

General information for drivers in Great Britain, not legal advice. Northern Ireland has different MOT rules. Spotted a mistake? Email hello@carfixnearme.com. See how we write and check our advice.

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