Discovering that your car failed MOT can be unsettling, particularly if you were confident it would pass. But don't worry—you are not alone. Every year, many automobiles encounter this problem; knowing what to do next will make things easier. Here, we'll go over the steps to take after an MOT failure, the necessary laws to remember in such a situation, and how to legally and safely get your car back on the road.
What Defines an MOT Failure?
An MOT failure results from your car failing to meet regulatory criteria for environmental protection and road safety. At an MOT test, your vehicle is scrutinised for various critical elements, including brakes, lights, tyres and emissions; any time these parts don't function optimally, the test will fail. When this happens, it could either be considered a major or dangerous defect depending on severity; major defects could become an imminent safety threat, which should be resolved quickly, whereas dangerous defects would need immediate attention as they make your car unsafe to drive.
According to MOT fail rules, if your vehicle contains dangerous defects that prevent it from passing an inspection test, you are no longer legally allowed to drive it on public roads. Any necessary repairs must then be performed and retested; understanding what may cause an MOT failure can help prepare and anticipate potential unexpected repairs more easily.
What Are The Consequences of Failing an MOT?
The fallout from a failing MOT depends on the kind of problems discovered in the vehicle. First of all, you will get a VT30 "Refusal of MOT" certificate with a list of the faults causing the failure. Should a "dangerous" fault cause the failure, you are forbidden to drive the vehicle until it is fixed. Driving with dangerous issues might result in a fine of up to £2,500, licence penalty points, or possibly a driving ban.
If the issue is "major" but not dangerous, you may still be permitted to drive the car—MOT fail guidelines state you can only do this if your current MOT is still valid and the fault is not harmful. You still have to resolve the problems before your automobile can pass a retest. It is important to note that failing a MOT might have an impact on your insurance. Should your automobile be judged unroadworthy, your insurance might not cover you if an accident occurs. Therefore, it is crucial to complete such repairs promptly.
Can You Appeal Against an MOT Failure?
Indeed, if you think the test findings are unjust, you have an appeal against a MOT failure. When you don't believe the mentioned problems are valid or significant, it could seem like your vehicle shouldn't have failed. Should this happen, the first action is to visit the MOT test facility where your automobile underwent inspection. They might be able to clarify any misinterpretation or, more precisely, explain the causes of the failure.
Appealing to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) can help you go further if you are not satisfied after speaking with the test facility. You will have to complete a DVSA form within 14 days after the exam in order to accomplish this. Keep in mind that you cannot fix your automobile during the appeal process. It must remain exactly as it was when it failed the test; otherwise, your appeal will not be accepted.
After the DVSA has reviewed your appeal, they will recheck your vehicle to make sure the first assessment was correct. Should they discover that your automobile failed wrongly, you might be entitled to a test fee refund. However, if they agree with the initial findings, you must still fix the flaws and do a retest before driving your automobile again.
How Can I Get my Car Retested?
If a car fails MOT, you must rectify the problems that led to the failure before getting it tested again. The first thing you need to decide is where to get the repairs done - if the MOT test facility also handles repairs, you may leave your vehicle there and get issues corrected. They can do a partial retest when the repairs are finished. Retests of this kind are often less expensive than complete ones, and if requested within ten business days after the first exam, they can even be free.
Another option is to drive your automobile to another garage for repairs. You can return to the original test centre within ten days for a partial retest after repairs. If you bring the automobile back the next working day, maybe you could even be able to get a free retest. If you delay more than ten days, however, the test facility will have to do a complete MOT test once again and you will be liable for the entire cost.
Keep in mind that your automobile might not be roadworthy between the failure and the retest. Driving it might be forbidden depending on the flaws discovered; so be sure you follow the guidelines and get your automobile corrected and retested as soon as possible.
How Long for MOT Retest?
The kind of problems discovered on the first test and the speed of repairs will affect the time it takes for a MOT retest. Should the repairs be straightforward and can be done immediately at the MOT test location, the retest could take place either the same day or a few days. It usually takes less time to do a partial retest than a full MOT since the tester only has to look for the problems that caused the failure.
You have ten working days to get the car fixed and return for a partial retest. If you come back within that time frame, the retest typically doesn't take long—anywhere from thirty minutes to an hour, depending on the scope of the inspection. Since you have to bring your automobile back to the original test location for the retest, if it is fixed at another garage, the retest might take a little longer.
However, if you wait more than ten working days after the automobile fails the MOT, you will require a complete retest, which is equivalent to beginning from scratch. Usually lasting one hour, a complete MOT test might take more if the test centre is busy. Getting the repairs done right away and booking your retest fast can help you to prevent delays.
If My Car Fail MOT Can I Drive?
Whether you can continue to drive your automobile even after it fails, its MOT will depend on the kind of flaws discovered and the state of your present MOT certificate. Can you drive with failed MOT? Yeah, but only in certain cases. If the failure includes "major" flaws but no "dangerous" ones and your past MOT is still valid, you are legally free to drive your automobile until the certificate expires. However, you have to finish the repairs before resetting the car.
Conversely, driving with a failed MOT is unlawful should the test reveal "dangerous" flaws. If your automobile is deemed dangerous for the road, then driving it might result in fines of up to £2,500, penalty points on your licence, or even a driving ban. Should your automobile need repairs at a garage, making arrangements (towing or other transport services) for its transport can help ensure its safe arrival at its new destination.
Even if your prior MOT is still valid, insurance may become an issue. Should an accident strike while your automobile is in an unroadworthy state, your insurance may not cover you. This is why it's crucial to address the problems straight away and refrain from driving the automobile until it passes a retest.
Check Your Car Before MOT: Save Time and Avoid Hassles
Doing a quick check can save you time and effort before you drive for its MOT. Many automobiles fail due to minor problems that may be readily corrected ahead of time. Start by looking at the basics: ensure that your lights—including brake lights and indicators—are operating as they should. Check your tyres, too, for any wear or damage, and make sure they have sufficient tread—make sure the fluid in your windshield washers and wipers are in good working condition.
You can also use our MOT history check to check your vehicle's history. This will highlight any prior car faults and assist you in identifying problems early on. By focusing on these things to check before MOT, you will increase your likelihood of passing on the first attempt and preventing any surprises.
