Client Testimonials for Our MOT Advisory Check
CarVeto's MOT advisory check is rated 4.8 out of 5 on Google and Trustpilot, with customers praising its accuracy, reliability, and ease of use.
UK vehicle buyers value our MOT service for providing clear advisory information that helps them identify potential maintenance concerns before purchasing.
Reviewers also appreciate the quick report delivery and straightforward presentation of MOT advisory records, which make previous MOT issues easier to understand.
Customers praise our responsive support for providing helpful assistance throughout the MOT advisory check process.
Best money I spent
Garwyn Lam
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I was all ready to spend the money and time to buy a used private car, only to find the seller had not been truthful.
I will happily recommend CarVeto.
Brilliant company
Roger Robins
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Can't fault this company managed to get a marker off my Matchless bike. Michelle went above and beyond what I expected from them.
If I could give them 10 star review I would. Thank you.
What Is an MOT Advisory?
An MOT (Ministry of Transport) advisory is an official note recorded during an MOT check when a vehicle component shows wear, damage, deterioration, or is approaching a legal or safety limit.
Each component is assessed during the MOT test and given a pass, fail, or advisory note based on its condition.
An advisory indicates that the condition remains below the failure threshold, while an MOT failure means the vehicle does not meet the required testing standard.
A minor defect is also not serious enough to cause an MOT failure, but is formally recorded.
Advisories are important for safety-related components such as brakes and tyres because further wear can reduce braking performance, tyre grip, and overall vehicle control.
Pitted or deteriorating brake discs, warped brakes, or tyres approaching their legal limit are recorded as advisories while the vehicle still meets the requirements for an MOT pass.
An unresolved advisory leads to the same component requiring repair or replacement at a later MOT.
You should Check MOT Status using CarVeto’s platinum check alongside its advisory history to understand whether reported issues have been resolved or remain outstanding.
The advisory section of a standard UK MOT certificate is not a mandatory part of an MOT tester's responsibilities.
It is left to the tester to decide if and when a used part is advisory or not. Individual MOT stations will likely have their own policies and procedures in place for advisory testing.
You can use our MOT Inspection Checklist to prepare for an upcoming test and check components that may be approaching failure, including vehicle-specific modifications and defects found during the inspection.
Which Car Parts Need to Be Replaced More Often?
The car parts that need to be replaced more often are given below.
- Tyres
- Brake pads
- Brake discs
- Leaking power steering rack
- Traction control arm bushes
- Bulbs
Certain vehicle makes and models are more prone to specific wear and tear issues.
The Mini One, for example, can experience leaking power steering racks, while the Ford Fiesta can develop brittle traction control arm bushes.
Researching common problems associated with a vehicle's make and model can help identify potential advisory items before buying.
You can check the MOT advisory history online by entering the vehicle's registration number and running an MOT advisory check.
This process provides access to available advisory records, helping you review previous issues and identify recurring concerns.
Check the MOT advisory history of a vehicle by following the step-by-step process provided below.
- Enter Your Registration Number: Enter the vehicle's registration number into the CarVeto vehicle check search box to check car advisories.
- Run the MOT Advisory Check: Click “Check a Vehicle” to run the check and retrieve the vehicle's recorded MOT advisories.
- Retrieve Your MOT Advisory History Report: Access the report showing available MOT advisory history from previous MOT tests.
- Review Your Advisory Results: Review each advisory to understand which components were flagged and whether the same issues have appeared across multiple tests.
How Should You Manage MOT Advisory Notes?
You should manage MOT advisory notes by monitoring the affected parts, discussing their condition with a mechanic, prioritising safety-critical issues, and tracking any repairs or changes over time.
There is no legal obligation to repair an advisory immediately, but ignoring worn components leads to further deterioration, safety risks, or an MOT failure.
MOT tests help keep vehicles aged three years or older to minimum road safety standards, while advisories give motorists time to address potential issues before they become unroadworthy.
You can manage MOT advisory notes by following the step-by-step process given below.
- Monitor Worn Parts: Keep an eye on worn components identified in the advisory and arrange repairs or replacements as their condition deteriorates.
- Discuss Advisories with Your Mechanic: Ask a qualified mechanic to assess the advisory and explain its severity, the likely lifespan of the affected component, and the potential repair cost.
- Prioritise Critical Items: Address safety-related issues such as tyres, brakes, steering, and suspension before less urgent advisory items like wiper blades and minor bodywork concerns.
- Track Advisory Progress: Keep records of repairs and compare future MOT advisory notes to determine whether previously identified issues have been resolved.
What Does an MOT Advisory to Failure Mean?
An MOT advisory to failure is a warning that indicates one or more vehicle components are worn, deteriorated, or marginally compliant and likely to fail a future MOT test if left unresolved.
The vehicle can still pass the current test, but the advisory signals a higher-priority maintenance issue.
A standard MOT advisory may simply recommend monitoring a component, while an advisory to failure indicates a stronger likelihood of failing the next inspection.
Common MOT advisory-to-failure examples include tyres near the 1.6mm limit, corroded or uneven brakes, thin brake pads, and rusty, loose, or leaking exhaust components.
Addressing these issues is important because the affected components can deteriorate further over time and potentially result in an MOT failure at the next test.
What Are the Risks of Ignoring MOT Advisory Notes?
The risks of ignoring MOT advisory notes include future MOT failure, reduced road safety, legal and insurance complications, accelerated component wear, and higher repair costs.
These risks can increase as worn or deteriorating components continue to decline in condition and affect the vehicle's overall safety and roadworthiness.
Potential MOT Failure
Ignoring MOT advisory notes increases the risk of a future MOT failure because they often identify components that are worn, deteriorating, or approaching a functional or legal limit.
For example, corroded brake discs and unevenly worn tyres may initially receive advisories but can deteriorate further and become MOT failure points within six to twelve months.
Legal Consequences
Advisory notes can become a legal concern when the affected component deteriorates beyond the required safety or legal standard.
A tyre recorded as an advisory can become illegal when its tread depth falls below the 1.6mm legal limit.
Driving an illegal or unsafe vehicle results in prosecution, penalties, or vehicle seizure, particularly if stopped by police or involved in an incident.
Reduced Road Safety
Ignoring MOT advisory notes can pose a road safety risk when they identify worn components that are essential for safe vehicle operation.
Problems like reduced tyre tread, thin brake pads, or deteriorating exhaust components increase the risk of accidents, particularly during wet weather, emergency braking, or when carrying passengers.
Insurance Implications
Insurance providers interpret unresolved MOT advisories as vehicle neglect.
A collision claim could face greater scrutiny, delay, or dispute if the vehicle was operated in a compromised condition, particularly when the advisory involved brakes, steering components, tyres, or visibility-related equipment.
Accelerated Component Wear
Unresolved MOT advisories can place additional strain on connected vehicle components.
For example, worn shock absorbers can increase tyre wear, extend braking distances, and reduce steering responsiveness.
This additional wear can create further mechanical issues, increasing repair costs and vehicle downtime.
How Should You Check MOT Advisories Before Buying a Used Car?
You should check MOT advisories before buying a used car by reviewing previous advisory notes, identifying repeated issues, and assessing potential repair costs.
An MOT Advisory Check can help you understand the vehicle's roadworthiness, condition, and potential impact on value. Review each advisory in context rather than treating every note as an immediate fault.
An advisory indicates minor wear or a component approaching the MOT failure threshold without making the vehicle fail at that test.
You need to consider unresolved or repeated advisories when estimating future maintenance costs and deciding whether the asking price reflects the vehicle's condition.
Checking these records alongside MOT checker history can help you make a more informed purchase decision.
Check the Vehicle's Background History
Important points to check in the vehicle’s background history are mentioned below.
- Mileage History: Verify the recorded mileage to identify potential inconsistencies or signs of mileage tampering.
- Finance Status: Check whether the vehicle has any outstanding finance or loan obligations to avoid taking on financial liabilities linked to the vehicle.
- Theft Status: Confirm whether the vehicle has been reported as stolen to avoid buying a vehicle that could be subject to police recovery or ownership issues.
- Write-Off History: Check for previous insurance write-offs that could affect the vehicle's condition or value.
You can Check Car History using CarVeto’s free car check tool to know the full vehicle background history.
Review Previous MOT History
You need to check the following points in the MOT history.
- MOT Failures: Review failed items from previous MOT tests to identify recurring issues with the vehicle's mechanical or safety components. You can read our MOT Failures page to understand what an MOT failure means, what to check in the vehicle's failure history, and how it can affect a vehicle.
- Advisory History: Check the vehicle's advisory notes over time to identify components that have required attention or may need replacement.
- Repeated Advisory Patterns: Look for recurring advisories on the vehicle that could indicate unresolved problems or deferred maintenance.
You can also Check MOT Mileage History to help you compare recorded mileage across MOT tests.
Identify Unresolved Advisory Notes
The examples of unresolved advisory notes you should identify are given below.
- Tyres: Check for tyre tread approaching the 1.6mm legal limit, which could lead to an MOT failure with further wear.
- Brake Pads: Look for pads approaching the minimum safe thickness, as continued wear can affect braking performance and result in failure.
- Exhaust Systems: Check for corrosion, leaks, or loose sections that could deteriorate and become MOT failure points.
Unresolved advisory notes can indicate components approaching a legal limit, safety threshold, or point of failure.
Addressing these issues before purchase can help prevent unexpected repair costs and future MOT failures.
Use MOT Advisories to Negotiate the Purchase Price
You should consider the following points when using MOT advisories to negotiate the purchase price.
- Negotiate the Price: Negotiate a lower price for a vehicle with unresolved MOT advisories to account for potential repair or replacement costs.
- Request Repairs: Ask the seller to repair or replace the worn or deteriorated components identified in the advisories before completing the purchase.
Request a Fresh MOT Certificate
You should request a fresh MOT certificate for the following reasons.
- Confirm Current Condition: Request a fresh MOT certificate before purchase to assess the vehicle's current roadworthiness and identify any outstanding issues.
- Check for Advisories: Review the MOT result for advisories to assess the condition of key components and the vehicle’s maintenance needs.
- Support Future Resale: Keep the recent MOT record as evidence of the vehicle's condition and maintenance when you resell it.
A fresh MOT certificate can reduce uncertainty before purchase, while a recent record can reassure future buyers about the vehicle's condition.
You can learn more about how to request a new MOT certificate by reading our guide on MOT Certificate Replacement.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
No, you cannot remove legitimate MOT advisories from a vehicle's recorded MOT history because they form part of the official record for that MOT test.
An advisory is only corrected if the original MOT record contains a genuine administrative or data-entry error.
Repairing or replacing the affected vehicle component does not erase the advisory from the previous MOT history check; it simply resolves the underlying issue for future inspections.
Yes, MOT certificates show advisory notes reported during the test.
All advisories recorded by the tester appear in the “Advisory Notices” section of the certificate and are also stored permanently in the vehicle's digital MOT record.
Yes, you can buy a car with MOT advisories if it has a valid MOT certificate because an advisory does not make the vehicle illegal to purchase or drive.
Buyers should review the MOT advisory list, assess the underlying issues, and decide whether the potential repair or replacement costs are acceptable before purchasing the vehicle.
You can use our MOT advisory tool to check MOT faults and check last MOT advisories before deciding to buy a car.
Yes, MOT advisories can affect a car's value because unresolved or repeated MOT warnings reduce buyer confidence and raise concerns about the vehicle's condition.
A history of recurring advisories can also suggest that certain maintenance issues have not been fully addressed.
Buyers can review the MOT advisory list to identify potential future repair costs and use this information as evidence when negotiating a lower purchase price.
The cost of common MOT advisory repairs is given in the table below.
Advisory Item | Component Issue | Average Repair Cost |
|---|---|---|
Light Bulbs & Wipers | Worn or faulty bulbs and wipers | £10-£50 |
Tyre Replacement | Worn or damaged tyre, per tyre | £60-£250 |
Brake Pads | Pads wearing thin | £80-£250 |
Brake Discs | Worn or pitted discs | £180-£450 |
Suspension Arm / Bushing | Worn suspension arm or bush | £180-£400 |
Coil Spring / Shock Absorber | Worn or deteriorated suspension component | £180-£500 |
Wheel Bearing | Worn wheel bearing | £150-£350 |
Brake Pipe | Worn wheel bearing | £150-£600+ |