What happens if I fail my MOT?
Failing an MOT can be frustrating, especially if you need your car for day-to-day travel. It can also be confusing because the rules vary depending on the condition of the vehicle and your paperwork.
If your car fails its MOT, you will receive a VT30 Refusal of MOT Test Certificate. This document lists the reasons for the failure and explains what needs fixing before the car can be used legally and safely.
What you do next depends on whether your current MOT is still in date and which defects were recorded. In many cases, it can be illegal to drive a car after a failure, so it is worth understanding the rules before you set off.
Keep the VT30 somewhere safe, because you will need it when you arrange a retest. In this article, we explain what happens if your car fails MOT, including what the VT30 means, when it may be illegal to drive, and what to do next if you still have a valid MOT certificate.
MOT defect categories explained: minor, major, and dangerous faults
MOT faults are grouped into three levels: minor, major, and dangerous. The label matters because it affects what happens next if a car fails MOT, and how quickly you need to act after an MOT failure.
A dangerous defect means the car is not roadworthy. You should not drive the vehicle until the fault is repaired, because it is against the law to use an unsafe car on the road.
A major defect also causes an MOT failure, but it is not always classed as unroadworthy. If a car fails MOT with a major issue, and your current MOT is still valid, you may be able to drive your vehicle only to get it repaired, as long as it is roadworthy and there is no dangerous defect.
A minor defect does not fail the test, but it is still something you should fix soon. Treat it as a warning, because small problems can turn into bigger ones before your next MOT.
Can you legally drive a car after it has failed its MOT?
If your vehicle fails its MOT in the United Kingdom, you cannot simply continue driving as before. If the MOT has expired, you can only drive the vehicle to a garage for repairs or to a pre-arranged appointment at a MOT test centre (if your car is roadworthy).
If you are caught driving when you should not be, you may be subject to a fine, penalty points, or other legal action. If there is any doubt about the car's safety, it is usually best to arrange for repairs first and avoid driving until they are completed.
A lot of MOT failures come down to small issues that get worse over time. Simple routine checks can help you spot problems earlier and reduce the chance of failing next time.
What happens if you drive after your MOT has expired or failed?
In the UK, driving a vehicle without a valid MOT certificate is against the law. If you do it, you could get a fine of up to £1,000, and your insurance may not cover you if something goes wrong.
If your MOT has expired or your car failed MOT, there are only limited situations where you can still drive, such as directly to a test centre for a retest or to a garage for repairs. If you need to drive, keep proof of your appointment and take the safest route. If the car does not feel roadworthy, do not drive it, and arrange for it to be towed instead.
Your options after an MOT failure: repair, retest, or appeal
What do I need to do to have my car retested?
If your car fails its MOT, you need to repair the faults and then book an MOT fail retest. Use the failure sheet as your checklist, and ask your garage to confirm each issue has been fixed before you go back.
Try to book the retest soon after the repairs are done. In many cases, you can have a partial MOT retest within ten working days, which usually means they only check the items that failed the first time.
MOT retest rules, time limits, and possible fees
When you fail a MOT, there are usually several options for getting a retest. The best option is determined by what failed, where you want the repairs done, and how quickly you need to get the car back. These MOT fail rules matter because the time limits can affect what you pay, and what checks the tester has to repeat.
If the test centre also does repairs, you can often leave the car with them and ask them to fix the faults. When the repairs are completed within 10 working days, the centre can usually carry out a partial retest. This means they focus on the items listed on the VT30, rather than testing everything again. In some cases, you won’t even have to pay an extra retest fee.
You may be able to take the car away for repairs and return to the same test centre for a partial retest without paying again. This only applies if you bring it back before the end of the next working day, and the retest is only for certain items on the DVSA list. If the faults are more serious, you may still be able to retest within 10 working days, but the garage can charge a partial retest fee.
Another common route is to repair the car at a different garage and then return to the same test centre within 10 working days. You can often get a partial retest in this time period, and it is usually cheaper than paying for a full test again. This is one of the simplest rules on MOT failure to remember, because the ten working day limit is used in a lot of retest situations.
If you miss the 10 working day window, the retest normally becomes a full MOT. That means the car is tested again from scratch, and you will usually pay the full fee. It is also worth remembering that driving without an MOT is illegal, so do not use the car for normal trips while you are waiting to repair and retest it.
Can you appeal an MOT failure?
Yes, you can appeal a failed MOT test if you believe the results were incorrect. Begin by speaking with the MOT test centre and asking them to explain the failure; in many cases, the problem is a misunderstanding of what was checked or how it was recorded.
If you still think the decision is unfair, you can appeal through the DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency). When you appeal, the car must stay in the same condition it was in during the test, so do not repair it, adjust it, or change anything, or the appeal may be cancelled.
To begin the process, you need to fill in a Complain about an MOT form and send it to the DVSA within 14 working days of the original test date. If the DVSA accepts the complaint, you may be offered an appointment to have the car looked at again, usually within five days.
The appeal is not free, because you will need to pay for another test up front. If the appeal succeeds, you can receive a full or partial refund of the fee, which can help if you are deciding what to do next if MOT fails.
What checks are included in an MOT test?
An MOT checks the main safety and roadworthiness parts of your car. The tester looks at lights, indicators, tyres, brakes, steering, suspension, seatbelts, mirrors, and wipers, plus the windscreen and number plates.
They also check the exhaust, emissions, fuel system for leaks, and that warning lights show the right status.
How to prepare your car properly before an MOT test?
A lot of MOT failures are caused by small, easy-to-miss issues. Lights, reflectors, and other electrical items often catch people off guard, and even a damaged or hard-to-read number plate can lead to a fail.
If you want the best chance of passing the first time, do a few quick checks for common problems before your appointment. For more information, read our things to check before MOT Checklist.
Can you book your MOT earlier than the due date?
Yes, you can book your MOT before the due date, and many drivers do. It is often recommended to book it up to a month before it expires, so you have time to sort any repairs if it does not pass the first time.
If you are not sure when your MOT is due, do a MOT history check and confirm the expiry date before you book. Booking early can also help you keep the same renewal date, because you can test up to a month before expiry without bringing the date forward.
FAQs
If Car Fails MOT, How Long Do I Have To Fix It?
There is no set legal grace period to fix the car once it fails its MOT test, but you should sort the faults as soon as you can. For retest purposes, many garages offer a partial retest if you return within 10 working days, and after that, you may need a full retest with normal testing fees.
What To Do If Your Car Has Failed Its MOT Gov?
You will get a VT30 refusal certificate that lists what failed, so use it as your repair checklist. Get the faults fixed, then book a retest, or appeal to the DVSA within 14 working days if you think the result is wrong, and keep the car in the same condition if you appeal.
Can I Drive My Car If It Fails MOT Before Its Due Date?
Fail MOT can I drive? Sometimes, yes, but only in limited cases. If your current MOT is still valid and there is no dangerous fault, you may be able to drive it to a garage or a pre-booked appointment, but if a dangerous defect is listed, you should not drive it at all.
What To Do If Your Car Has Failed Its MOT DVLA?
What do I do if my car fails its MOT? If your car fails its MOT, it is handled through the test centre and the DVSA, not the DVLA. You will get a refusal of an MOT test certificate from the garage, then you can repair the faults and book a retest, or appeal to the DVSA within 14 working days if you think the result is wrong.
Can I Drive My Car If the MOT Failed But Not Expired?
What if my car fails MOT? Can I drive? Sometimes, but it depends on what faults were recorded, because you might not be allowed to drive until the problems are fixed. If the fail includes dangerous faults, do not drive the car, and arrange repairs first, then retest.
If My Car Fails MOT Can I Take It Somewhere Else?
Yes, you can choose a different garage for the repairs. Whether you can drive it there depends on the faults and whether your current MOT is still valid, so check the fail sheet and only drive it if the car is roadworthy. If the test shows a dangerous fault, do not drive it and arrange recovery instead.
If Your Car Fails MOT, Do You Have To Pay Again?
My car failed MOT, do I have to pay again? It depends on when you go back and which test centre you use. Many centres provide a partial retest, which can be free or cheaper if you return within the time frame specified, but if you return later or use a different centre, you will usually have to pay for a full MOT again. Always ask the test centre what their retest policy is before you book.
