MOT Failure: Dangerous, Major and Minor Defects Explained
A failed MOT is irritating, but it is also information. The certificate lists exactly what the tester found, and each item carries a category that tells you how serious it is and how urgently it needs attention.
Understanding those categories helps you decide what to do next, and stops you worrying about the wrong things. Here is what each label means and how to deal with a fail sensibly.
The four labels on your test result
Test results use four categories. Dangerous and major defects both cause a fail. Minor defects and advisories do not, but they still deserve your attention.
A dangerous defect means there is a direct and immediate risk to road safety or a serious impact on the environment. A major defect may affect the vehicle's safety, put other road users at risk or harm the environment. A minor defect has no significant effect on safety, so the vehicle can pass, but it should be repaired soon. An advisory is something the tester noticed that may become a problem later.
- Dangerous: fail, do not drive the vehicle until it is repaired
- Major: fail, repair as soon as possible
- Minor: pass, but get it put right soon
- Advisory: pass, keep an eye on it
Can you drive after a fail?
With a dangerous defect, the advice is simple: do not drive it. A vehicle with a dangerous fault should not be on the road, and you may be putting yourself and others at risk. If it cannot be repaired where it is, arrange recovery.
With a major defect, the position depends on whether your previous MOT is still valid. If it is, the rules generally allow you to keep driving until it expires, but only if the vehicle is not in a dangerous condition. If the old MOT has already run out, driving is generally limited to taking the vehicle to a pre-booked repair or retest. The rules are detailed and change from time to time, so check the current official guidance and your insurance position before relying on this.
Even where driving is technically allowed, a major defect on brakes, steering or tyres is not something to carry on with. Get it fixed.
How a retest works
If you leave the vehicle at the test centre for repair, a retest is usually available within a set number of working days for a reduced or no further fee, depending on the situation. If you take the car away and bring it back, different time limits apply, and the full test may be needed again if the gap is long.
Retest rules, including how many days you have and what is rechecked, are set nationally and can be updated. Ask us how they apply to your vehicle when you collect the fail certificate, and keep the paperwork safe.
Getting MOT failure repairs done sensibly
A fail sheet is a list of work, and cost depends on the parts and labour needed for each item. A blown bulb is a very different job from a corroded brake pipe or a seized caliper, which is why a total is hard to give without inspecting the vehicle.
You are free to get a quote, think it over and decide. Ask for each item to be explained in plain English, find out which are required to pass and which are advisory, and ask what happens if you hold back on some of the work. A good garage will tell you straight.
Do not ignore the advisories
Advisories are the early warning of next year's fail. Tyres close to the limit, a slight oil weep, a worn bush or a corroded component all show up here. They do not have to be fixed today, but they are worth noting and planning for, particularly if the item affects safety.
At Banks of the Tyne in Hebburn we carry out MOT failure repairs as well as testing, so the work and the retest can be arranged together. If you want to avoid a fail in the first place, a pre-MOT inspection catches many of these before the test.
Key takeaway: Dangerous and major defects fail the test, and a dangerous one means the vehicle should stay parked. Check the current retest and driving rules, ask for each item to be explained, and treat advisories as a to-do list for later.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a major and a dangerous defect?
Both cause a fail. A dangerous defect is a direct and immediate risk to safety or the environment and the vehicle should not be driven, while a major defect may affect safety or the environment and needs repairing as soon as possible.
Does a minor defect fail my MOT?
No. Minor defects and advisories do not cause a fail, but they are recorded on the certificate and are worth fixing before they get worse.
Do I have to repair everything on the fail sheet?
To pass, the dangerous and major defects must be put right and the vehicle retested. Minor items and advisories are not required for a pass, though you should still consider them for safety and reliability.
Need help with mot testing?
See our mot testing service or ask for a free quote.
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Read the guide →Get a free quote
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- Banks of the Tyne Motor Co Ltd
Unit 19a, Prince Consort Road, Hebburn, Tyne and Wear, NE31 1EH