MOT Failure Repairs in Tyne and Wear

Seeing a failure certificate is never pleasant, but it is more useful than it looks. It lists exactly what the tester found, and sorts each item into a category that tells you how serious it is.

At Banks of the Tyne in Hebburn we carry out MOT failure repairs for drivers across Tyne and Wear. Here is how to read the paperwork and what to ask before agreeing to any work.

Understanding the failure sheet

Defects are sorted into dangerous, major and minor, with advisories for things to watch. A dangerous defect means the vehicle should not be driven until it is repaired. A major defect means the vehicle fails and must be put right. Minor items and advisories do not fail the test on their own, but they are worth noting.

Do not rely on memory of how the rules work, since MOT requirements are updated from time to time. Check the current official guidance, particularly on retests and on driving a vehicle with an existing certificate.

• Dangerous: do not drive it until repaired
• Major: fails, needs repair before a pass
• Minor: noted, does not fail on its own
• Advisory: worn or close to failing, keep an eye on it

What the repairs involve

Common failure items include worn tyres, brake components, suspension parts, lights, wipers, exhaust emissions and corrosion near structural areas. Each has its own fix, and some are quick while others need parts ordered and time on the ramp.

We go through the sheet with you, explain which items need doing and which are advisory, and give an estimate before any work begins. Where an item is difficult to judge from a document alone, we inspect the vehicle ourselves first.

What affects the cost and the outcome

Costs depend on the parts needed, how much labour is involved and how many items are on the sheet. A single bulb is nothing like a corroded sill or a worn brake system. The estimate should show each item, so you can see where the money goes.

Whether a failure is repairable depends on inspection. Serious corrosion or structural damage can make a repair uneconomic, and we tell you that plainly if we find it. Repairs also need to be done properly for the retest, so cutting corners is not a saving.

Retests and what to prepare

After repairs, the vehicle needs retesting, and the rules about timing and whether a partial or full retest applies are set by the official scheme. Ask us at the estimate, and check the current rules for your situation.

Before bringing it in, take the failure certificate with you, note any issues you have noticed yourself, and tell us if you need to keep driving the vehicle in the meantime. If it carries a dangerous defect, arrange recovery rather than driving it.