What Happens if Your Car Has Failed it’s MOT

So your car has failed its MOT. What happens now? Here’s what you can expect.

 

Repair Requirements

You will receive a report that lists the specific faults that need to be repaired before you can take your vehicle for a re-test. In some cases, it’s ideal to address issues raised in the report as soon as possible to avoid further problems and additional costs.

As a side note, it can help you to prepare for your MOT by checking your previous MOT advisories to make sure they don’t flag up as failure points. You can do this online by checking the MOT history for your vehicle. Also, a very handy service when you have bought or looking to buy a new vehicle.

MOT history example
Example of a vehicles MOT history

Re-testing and Time Limits

Once you have made the necessary repairs, you can take your vehicle for a re-test. Re-tests are free within 10 working days. If you don’t get the repairs done within this time, you will have to book and pay for another MOT test, so it’s important to consider the cost of the repairs and the re-test when budgeting.

Can I Still Drive the Car?

It’s illegal to drive your vehicle on the road without a valid MOT certificate. If you are caught driving without a valid certificate, you could face a fine and/or points on your license.