MOT Advisory Checks:
Improve Road Safety and Reduce Annual Running Costs
Warnings set out by the Ministry of Transport
Using online checks when buying a used vehicle
This guide explains MOT advisories and how to check that your vehicle is safe, legal, and roadworthy.
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An instant check is needed to see a vehicle's full MOT history. Reports include all advisory notes and failures.
What is an Advisory?
Advisory notes are included as part of a standard UK MOT test. They provide advice and fair warnings about parts that will need fixing soon.
Advisory notes are raised at the tester's discretion. Each note's importance will vary, but it is not attributed to a failed test result.
As each component of a vehicle is examined, it is given a pass, fail, or advisory note. Should your vehicle incur one or more advisory notes, it may still pass its test.
Advisories are possible for any part tested. Some examples include:
- Tyres
- Brake pads
- Brake discs
- Leaking power steering rack
- Traction control arm bushes
- Bulbs
What Car Parts Can Become Advised?
Some vehicle types are more prone to ‘part specific’ wear and tear issues.
Example:
- Mini One’s suffer with leaking power steering racks
- Ford Fiesta’s have brittle traction control arm bushes
It’s good practice to check common issues with the make and model you plan to buy.
More MOT Information
Before a test: MOT Inspection Checklist
MOT expiry date: MOT status
How to Manage Advisory Notes?
Notes are a warning that a vehicle has items that are worn but not broken or worn to a condition deemed unfit for use.
Advisory notes must NOT be ignored, and a motorist must regularly check such parts for excessive or rapid wear.
MOT tests ensure vehicles aged 3 years or older are kept in a minimum road safety condition. Advisory notes allow motorists to keep driving and repair or replace parts when needed and before they become illegal.
What Is an MOT Advisory to Failure?
An MOT advisory to failure is a warning issued during a vehicle’s MOT test. It indicates that a component is worn, deteriorated, or marginally compliant and likely to fail in the next inspection if not addressed.
These advisories do not cause an immediate MOT failure but highlight high-risk areas that require prompt attention. If left unresolved, they frequently fail subsequent tests.
Examples of MOT Advisory to Failure Items
Common advisory notes include:
- Tyres nearing the legal tread depth limit (1.6mm in the UK)
- Braking systems showing corrosion, uneven wear, or low pad thickness
- Exhaust components with rust, loose sections, or minor leaks
Why MOT Advisories Should Be Taken Seriously
Advisory items often degrade quickly, especially safety-critical parts like tyres and brakes. These components are under constant mechanical stress and thermal pressure during everyday driving—accelerating wear.
At CarVeto, we recommend replacing advisory-listed tyres or brakes before or during the MOT. This ensures continued road safety and reduces the risk of immediate failure during retesting.
Discussing Advisories with Your Mechanic
Always review advisory notes with your MOT tester or trusted local mechanic. Ask:
- Which advisory items pose the highest risk?
- What are the estimated repair or replacement costs?
- Should multiple advisories be addressed together to reduce labour time?
This helps prioritise safety-critical issues while planning cost-efficient maintenance.
Most Frequent MOT Advisory Items
Tyres are the most frequently recorded MOT advisories. UK regulations mandate a minimum tread depth of 1.6mm, measured across the central three-quarters of the tyre's width.
Most modern tyres include tread wear indicators (nodules). When the tyre tread is level with these nodules, the tyre is legally worn and must be replaced.
Overview
An MOT advisory to failure identifies a part close to non-compliance and is likely to fail in future tests. Tyres, brakes, and exhausts are the most common advisory items. Replacing advisory items before failure ensures road safety and legal compliance.
Impacts of Driving a Vehicle with MOT Advisory Notes?
Operating a vehicle with unresolved MOT advisories may be legal in the short term, but it often has significant legal, financial, and safety implications over time.
Driving Towards a Future MOT Failure
Advisory items typically indicate a worn, deteriorating, near-functional, or legal threshold component. If left unchecked, these items almost always evolve into MOT failure points by the next test.
For instance, brake discs showing corrosion or tyres with uneven wear are commonly recorded as advisories, but they often fail within six to twelve months.
Legal Exposure from Degradation
Although advisories are not immediate legal infractions, driving with components that degrade beyond safety standards can render a vehicle illegal.
For example, if a tyre worn close to the 1.6mm limit continues to wear and drops below this threshold, the vehicle becomes unlawful to drive, even if the advisory was once compliant. If stopped by police or involved in an incident, this may result in prosecution, penalties, or vehicle seizure.
Learn the Common MOT Failures.
Reduced Road Safety
Most MOT advisories relate to components integral to safe vehicle operation. Tyres with reduced tread, brakes with minimal pad thickness, or exhaust components near structural failure introduce elevated accident risk.
These risks are amplified in wet conditions, during emergency braking, or when carrying passengers.
Insurance Implications
Insurance providers may interpret unresolved advisories as vehicle neglect. In the event of a collision, claims may be delayed or disputed if it's shown the vehicle was operated in a compromised state, particularly if the advisory relates to braking, steering, or visibility.
Accelerated Wear on Related Systems
Driving with advisory parts can strain related vehicle systems. For example, worn shock absorbers (a frequent advisory) can negatively affect tyre wear, braking distance, and steering responsiveness.
This creates additional mechanical issues, compounding repair costs and increasing downtime.
What Should You Know About MOT Advisory Notes Before Buying a Used Car?
MOT advisory notes can uncover hidden risks and future repair costs that may affect your decision to buy a used vehicle. Knowing what to check and what it means can help avoid expensive mistakes.
Start with a Comprehensive Vehicle Check
Use the vehicle registration mark (VRM) to perform essential background checks:
- Mileage verification through DVLA records
- Outstanding finance or loan obligations
- Theft status
- Insurance write-off history
Check Car History instantly.
Review the MOT History in Detail
CarVeto provides a full MOT history, including all of the following:
- Failed items across previous tests
- Advisory notes listed over time
- Patterns of repeated advisories indicating neglect or unresolved issues
These details help you assess whether the seller has maintained the vehicle responsibly or deferred necessary repairs.
Premium CarVeto reports include a BVRLA, RMI and DVLA Mileage Check.
Unresolved Advisories = Future Failures
Advisory notes often signal components nearing the legal limit or partially worn. If not replaced, they usually become MOT failures at the next inspection.
Examples include:
- Tyres with tread nearing 1.6mm
- Brake pads close to the minimum safe thickness
- Corroded or leaking exhaust systems
These issues shift liability and cost onto the buyer once ownership is transferred.
Use MOT History to Negotiate
If advisory items remain unresolved, you may:
- Negotiate a lower purchase price to offset expected repair costs
- Ask the seller to retest the vehicle, aiming for a clean MOT with no advisories
This gives you peace of mind and ensures the car is roadworthy for at least 12 months.
Request a Fresh MOT Certificate
A valid MOT certificate free of advisory notes strongly signals that the vehicle is well maintained. It’s also useful if you resell the car, as it reassures future buyers and insurers.
Learn about MOT Certificate Replacement.