MOT Failure: What It Means, What to Do, and When You Can Drive
An MOT failure confirms your car is not roadworthy under UK law. It has not met the minimum safety and emissions standards set by the DVSA. The result is logged instantly and formalised with a VT30 certificate, listing defects by legal category.
There are three official MOT defect categories:
- Dangerous
The car is unfit for the road. Do not drive it. Penalties include £2,500 fines, three points, and a ban. - Major
The car fails the test. If it is roadworthy, driving is allowed only to a repair appointment or a pre-booked retest. - Minor
The car passes. The issue is logged but doesn’t stop legal use. Repairs are advised to prevent future failure.
There is no grace period.
If the MOT has expired or fails with a dangerous fault, the car must remain off-road or be recovered. Even if a valid MOT remains, you cannot legally drive a vehicle that is not roadworthy.
MOT enforcement is digital.
Your test result is accessible to police via DVSA and ANPR systems. Driving after failure, especially with safety risks, is a criminal offence.
Check Up-to-Date MOT History
Enter your registration number for an instant, customised report
For example, WP68YFM
What Counts as an MOT Failure?
An MOT failure occurs when your car has a defect that violates DVSA safety or emissions regulations.
The result is legally recorded on a VT30 refusal certificate and affects your right to drive the vehicle.
The DVSA defines three defect categories:
🚫1. Dangerous Defect
- The fault poses an immediate safety risk or environmental hazard.
- Outcome: The car must not be driven.
- Examples: Exposed tyre cords, leaking fuel, non-functional brakes.
⚠️ 2. Major Defect
- The fault risks safety or emissions compliance.
- Outcome: The car fails the MOT. It can only be driven to a repair or retest if it is still roadworthy.
- Examples: Illegal tyre tread depth, faulty suspension, misaligned headlights.
🟡 3. Minor Defect
- The issue does not compromise safety but is recorded for monitoring.
- Outcome: The car passes the MOT.
- Examples: Small exhaust leak, worn wipers, surface corrosion.
Each test is carried out by a DVSA-certified MOT tester using the official MOT Inspection Manual.
Only dangerous or major defects cause a failed MOT. A single qualifying fault results in an automatic failure.
Can You Still Drive After a Failed MOT?
You can only drive a failed MOT vehicle if it has no dangerous defects and is still roadworthy.
Driving legality depends on your defect type, MOT status, and destination.
MOT Validity Does Not Override Roadworthiness
A valid MOT certificate does not permit you to drive an unsafe vehicle.
Roadworthiness is the legal threshold.
Driving an unfit car breaches UK law, even if the MOT has not expired.
DVSA and ANPR enforcement systems apply penalties automatically.
Driving Rules After MOT Failure
1. Dangerous Defect
- The car is unroadworthy.
- Driving is illegal.
- Penalties include:
- £2,500 fine
- Three penalty points
- Driving ban
2. Major Defect with a Valid MOT
You may drive the vehicle if:
- The MOT certificate is still valid
- The car is roadworthy
- If unsafe, it must be recovered or towed
3. Major Defect with an Expired MOT
You may only drive to:
- A pre-booked MOT test
- A repair appointment
- The car must be safe to operate
How to Understand MOT Test Results and the VT30 Certificate?
An MOT test result determines whether a car meets the DVSA’s legal roadworthiness and emissions compliance standards.
The outcome is recorded in the MOT database and formalised through one of two documents: an MOT certificate (VT20) for a pass or a VT30 refusal certificate for a fail.
MOT Result Categories and Legal Implications
Each MOT result directly influences vehicle legality and determines the following required action:
✅ Pass
- The car meets all DVSA safety and emissions standards.
- A VT20 MOT certificate is issued, valid for 12 months.
- No immediate action is required.
⚠️ Pass with Advisories
- The vehicle is road-legal but shows components close to failing thresholds.
- All advisory items are logged in the DVSA database and the MOT history.
- Repairs are not mandatory but should be addressed before the next test to avoid failure.
Read this guide: What Does Advisory Mean?
❌ Fail
- The vehicle does not meet DVSA requirements.
- A VT30 refusal certificate is issued, listing major or dangerous defects.
- Advisory items may also be noted for monitoring.
- Dangerous defects render the vehicle unroadworthy and illegal to drive.
- Major defects permit driving only to a pre-booked repair or retest, provided the car remains roadworthy.
The VT30 does not extend MOT validity. It is a legal document that confirms test failure and is enforceable through ANPR and roadside inspection.
Compare MOT Test Outcomes
This table compares the legal status, driveability, subsequent actions, and documentation based on MOT outcome:
MOT Outcome | Road Legality | Driving Allowed? | Next Action | DVSA Certificat |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Pass | Compliant | ✅ Yes | None | MOT Certificate (VT20) |
Pass with Advisories | Compliant (with risk) | ✅ Yes | Minor advisories, repair proactively | VT20 + Advisory items |
Fail - Major Defects | Conditional (if roadworthy) | ✅ Yes (to garage or retest only) | Complete maintenance & pass a retest | VT30 Refusal certificate |
Fail - Dangerous defects | Illegal to operate | ❌ No | Immediate towing and defect correction | VT30 Refusal certificate |
What to Do After a Failed MOT?
If your vehicle fails its MOT, all defects must be corrected before it can legally return to the road.
Your subsequent actions depend on defect classification, repair location, and timing of the retest.
1. Review the VT30 Certificate
- Check each defect’s classification: dangerous or major
- Dangerous defects prohibit all driving
- Major defects may allow driving to a repair or MOT test if the car is roadworthy
- Note any advisories. These don’t cause failure but signal future risk and repair on the following MOT test.
2. Choose a Repair Option
Repairs at the same MOT test centre
- Eligible for a partial retest if completed within 10 working days
- The retest may be free or at a reduced cost
Repairs elsewhere
- You can only drive the car if it is roadworthy and has no dangerous defects
- A retest must take place at the original centre
- Standard retest fees apply
3. Book and Complete the Retest
- The retest must occur within 10 working days
- Only failed components are re-checked during a partial retest
- After 10 days or if missed, a full MOT test is required
4. Address Advisory Items
- Advisories are not failures but indicate parts close to legal limits
- If ignored, they may lead to MOT failure in the future
- They appear in the MOT history and may affect insurance
Legal Restrictions
- Driving with a dangerous defect is a criminal offence
- You may be fined up to £2,500
- You may receive three penalty points
- You may be prosecuted in court
- If the MOT has expired, you may only drive to a pre-booked MOT test
- You may also drive to a garage for repairs
- The vehicle must be roadworthy in all cases
When and How to Appeal an MOT Failure?
If you believe your vehicle was wrongly failed during an MOT test, you can appeal the decision to the DVSA.
The vehicle must remain in its original test condition until the appeal is resolved.
Valid Grounds for an MOT Appeal
- The defect listed on the VT30 does not exist
- The MOT test was not carried out in line with DVSA rules
- The result conflicts with the official MOT Inspection Manual
How to Appeal a Failed MOT
1. Do Not Repair or Modify the Vehicle
- The vehicle must remain exactly as it was at the time of the failed test
- Any repairs void the appeal
2. Complete DVSA Form VT17
- Download from the official DVSA portal
- Provide the test date, vehicle registration, and reason for the appeal
3. Submit the Form Within 14 Working Days
- Send by email or post
- DVSA will reply within five working days
4. Attend a DVSA Re-Inspection
- DVSA will inspect the vehicle at a designated location
- If the appeal is upheld, your MOT fee will be refunded
- If rejected, no refund is issued
Appeal Limitations
- Appeals apply only to the MOT test result, not to service quality or test centre staff
- The appeal is invalid if the vehicle is altered after the test
- If the DVSA upholds the original decision, you bear the cost
Can You Still Drive If Your Car Has a Valid MOT but Fails Early?
A valid MOT certificate does not permit you to drive a car that has failed a new test.
Legal use is determined by roadworthiness and defect type, not certificate expiry.
Driving with a Current MOT After a Fail
You may drive the car if:
- The MOT certificate has not expired
- The vehicle has a major defect only
- The car is roadworthy
- You are driving to a garage or a pre-booked MOT retest
Driving Is Prohibited If:
- The vehicle has a dangerous defect
- The car is unroadworthy
- The MOT fail result overrides certificate validity
- You will face penalties including:
- £2,500 fine
- Three penalty points
- Possible court prosecution
MOT Validity vs. Road Safety Enforcement
- Police and DVSA use ANPR to detect failed MOT status
- Real-time checks identify unsafe vehicles
- Roadworthiness always takes legal precedence over document status
Summary
- A valid MOT does not override a failed result
- You can only drive if no dangerous defects are present and the car remains roadworthy
- MOT enforcement begins the moment a vehicle fails, regardless of expiry
Common MOT Failures to Watch Out For
Certain defects appear repeatedly in MOT test failures, based on DVSA data and garage reports.
These issues are responsible for the majority of recorded rejections.
Most Frequent MOT Failures
- Headlights not working or misaligned
Tyres below 1.6mm tread or visibly damaged - Brakes worn or braking force uneven
- Suspension faults like broken springs or leaking shocks
- Windscreen damage affecting driver visibility
- Wipers torn or washer jets blocked
- Exhaust system leaks or excessive emissions
- Lights not functioning, including indicators and brake lamps
Why These Items Cause Failure
- Each affects core MOT criteria: braking, steering, visibility, or emissions
- DVSA rules classify them as safety-critical
- These are simple to check but often neglected by drivers
Reducing the Risk of MOT Failure
- Inspect tyres, lights, wipers, and the windscreen before your test
- Fix minor wear-and-tear early to avoid escalation
How to Check MOT Failure Online?
You can check whether a car has failed its MOT using the official DVSA system or CarVeto’s MOT check service. Both retrieve vehicle test data from the national MOT database using the car’s registration number (VRN).
Official DVSA MOT History
To retrieve a vehicle’s MOT failure record via the DVSA:
- Visit GOV.UK MOT history website
- Enter the vehicle registration number
- Review the car’s MOT profile, which includes:
- Pass/fail results from each test
- Defect classification: dangerous, major, minor
- Advisory notes (if applicable)
- Recorded test dates and mileage
- The expiry date of the current MOT certificate
This service provides verified records but lacks interpretive analysis or issue flags for decision-making.
CarVeto MOT Check: Enhanced Failure Insights
CarVeto connects to the same DVSA MOT Check database but enhances the output by adding intelligence layers for consumers and trade users.
It presents MOT data in a clear, actionable format with added vehicle insights:
- Full MOT pass/fail log with all advisories and defect types
- Mileage validation across MOT events to flag inconsistencies
- Pattern recognition for recurring failures or ignored repairs
- Countdown to MOT expiry with renewal reminders
- Summary of failure trends to support buying or selling decisions
Why MOT Failure Checks Are Essential
A vehicle’s MOT history provides more than just a legal status. It shows whether the car:
- Has had dangerous or major safety defects
- Passed with unresolved advisories
- Was consistently maintained or repeatedly neglected
- Matches claimed mileage trends
- Meets roadworthiness standards needed for insurance, taxation, and resale
Checking MOT failure data helps verify a car’s mechanical reliability and legal operability and reduces risk when purchasing a used vehicle.
How to Avoid a Failed MOT?
Most MOT failures are caused by issues that can be fixed before the test.
Focusing on common failure points reduces the risk of rejection and saves time and cost.
Check How Long Does an MOT Take?
Pre-Test Checklist
- Lights work correctly with no cracked lenses
- Tyres meet 1.6mm tread depth, free from cuts or bulges
- Brakes respond appropriately and do not grind
- Suspension is level with no visible spring or shock absorber damage
- The windscreen has no cracks obstructing the driver’s view
- The wipers are intact, and the washers spray clearly
- Horn works reliably
- Mirrors are secure and undamaged
- Number plates are readable and firmly attached
- Seatbelts operate smoothly with no fraying
Why These Failures Occur
- These components fall under DVSA’s safety-critical items
Most are visible, checkable, and low-cost to repair - Failure to address them leads to immediate rejection
Inspection Strategy
- Perform checks at least two weeks before your test date
- Fix faults early to avoid retest delays
Use our full MOT Pre-Check for detailed support.
Why Use CarVeto MOT History Checks?
CarVeto gives you instant access to complete MOT test records, including past failures, advisory notes, and mileage validation.
Designed for buyers, sellers, and owners who need reliable DVSA-linked data.
What You’ll See in a CarVeto MOT Check
- Complete MOT pass/fail history
- Defects classified as dangerous, major, or minor
- Advisory notes from all previous tests
- Mileage records tied to each MOT event
- MOT expiry and renewal deadlines
Why Choose CarVeto Over GOV.UK?
- Instant access, no form-filling
- Includes historical advisories, not just current status
- Flags of repeated failures or unresolved issues
- Ideal for checking vehicles before purchase or resale
When to Use It?
- Before buying a used car
- To verify MOT status before tax or insurance
- To review maintenance trends before resale
- For transparency when selling a vehicle with prior MOT issues
Frequently Asked Questions – MOT Failure
If your car fails its MOT, it receives a VT30 refusal certificate and is legally classified as unroadworthy until repaired. The severity of the defects, major or dangerous, determines whether you can drive the vehicle. Major defects allow limited driving to a garage or test centre, while dangerous defects prohibit driving altogether.
Even with a valid MOT certificate, a failed test result takes precedence. You can only drive if the car is roadworthy and the defect is not classified as dangerous.
Yes, a chipped or cracked windscreen will fail an MOT if the damage obstructs the driver’s view, particularly in Zone A, or exceeds 10mm in the driver’s field or 40mm elsewhere on the glass.
Yes. An illuminated engine warning light is a major defect that results in a failure. It commonly indicates issues with emissions systems or sensor failures.
You have 10 working days to complete repairs and return the vehicle to the original test centre for a partial retest. After this period, a full MOT test is required.
A free MOT retest may be available if repairs are carried out at the same test centre and completed within 10 working days. Otherwise, standard retest fees apply.
Driving a vehicle that has failed its MOT may invalidate insurance coverage if deemed unroadworthy, especially if it has dangerous defects. You cannot insure a car without an MOT.
Check: Is My Car Insured?
You can check any vehicle’s MOT history by visiting the GOV.UK MOT check service or CarVeto's Car History Checker. Enter the vehicle’s registration number to view past failures, defect types, advisories, and test mileage.
Yes. Cuts, bulges, or exposed cords in the tyre sidewall are considered dangerous defects and lead to immediate MOT failure.
All seatbelts must be securely anchored, free from fraying or damage, and function correctly under tension. Faulty or damaged seatbelts result in an MOT fail.
Yes. A faulty oxygen (lambda) sensor impacts emissions performance and often triggers the engine warning light, resulting in a failure.
Yes. Excess emissions will cause an MOT failure. This often results from fuel mixture problems, clogged catalytic converter failure, excessive oil consumption, engine misfires or malfunctioning sensors.