Our car maintenance tips and tricks
May 27

The 6 Most Common Reasons Mechanics Fail You at the MoT

The MoT test is an annual requirement for any car more than 3 years old. This much you probably already knew. What you may find interesting is knowing the most common reasons that cars fail the test. The Independent Garage Association (IGA) frequently remind us of the importance of keeping our MoT appointments because the failure rate for cars has, on average, been around 31 percent.

Lucky for all drivers in the Bishops Stortford area, Smart Mechanics is fully equipped to carry out MoT tests. Perhaps even more important, our highly skilled team of mechanics can also carry out any necessary work to fix the issue that caused your car to fail. Here are the six most common reasons people fail the test:

  • Tyres – Each year it seems around 14 percent of MoT check failures come down to you having the wrong tread depth on your tyres. If that tread is less than 1.6mm thick, you’re doomed to failure. Our mechanics can help you sort this problem either after the test or preferably before if you notice your tread wearing thin.
  • Brakes – If our team finds that your brake pads are too worn down then you are also going to fail. This should go without saying. Problematic brakes can mean a lot more than dealing with a failed MoT test. This is one of those things you should bring your car in for us to check here at Smart Mechanics before it becomes part of your MoT worries.
  • Suspension – Do you hear banging, tapping or knocking noises when you’re driving over uneven surfaces, speed bumps or up onto the curb to park? These kinds of noises are classic signs of a worn suspension system, and that too might buy you a ticket to the ranks of failure during your MoT test.
  • Exhaust – Some people think that exhaust problems are the most common cause of MoT failure, but in fact this is not true. The opposite is the case. When they do occur, however, they are prompted by the exhaust being too noisy, having mountings or a silencer missing, or there being signs of rust or corrosion.
  • Lights – Issues with cars’ lights are the single most common factor behind MoT failings. It doesn’t even have to be something obvious like a light not working properly. It could also be down to your headlight being poorly adjusted and not pointing quite where it should. It’s not just headlights of course, indicators are also checked, and these are a light we might miss since they’re pretty hard for us to see. It often takes others to tell us when they are not working properly.
  • Number Plates – If your car has undergone any damage to its front or rear number plate, this too could cost you the MoT test. It seems odd to think mechanics would check this so closely, but it is required by law. The number plate being clear and visible (and with a working light) is essential for identifying your car should it need it. Therefore, no impairment to this clarity is allowed.

MoT failure sorted instantly at Smart Mechanics

Failing the MoT can feel a bit hopeless for some drivers, who wonder what to do next. The first thing is to get any of the above issues, and any others included in the MoT criteria, sorted out as soon as possible.

We can help you there. Our skilled team of mechanics in Bishops Stortford is ready to provide you with all the repairs you need to get you back on the road and in compliance with MoT standards. Call us today to learn more. 

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(We cannot provide any warranty on parts supplied by the customer.)