MOT tests are not just a yearly-updated legal requirement in the UK, but an important measure of your vehicle’s safety and roadworthiness. However, many vehicles don't make the cut each year due to common yet preventable issues. Understanding these common MOT fails will help you avoid the same pitfalls many fall under as well as why they happen and the best solution for it. At the end of this article, you’ll have the right idea of how to make sure your vehicle passes this year.

Lights and Indicators

The most common MOT failures involve vehicle lights and indicators. Often, it’s as common and as inconsequential as a blown bulb, which can be easily replaced.

Before going for your MOT, check all your lights are in working order with a cursory walk around your vehicle while the engine is running. This includes headlights, taillights, brake lights, hazard lights, reversing lights, indicators and number plate lights.

Pay attention not only to if they’re working but if they are in good condition. If there’s a crack in the lens, a significant amount of dust or grime builds up on the lenses or even a light that’s improperly attached, this can be grounds for an MOT failure, so ensure that your lights are in proper order.

Suspension

MOT failures based on suspension can sneak up on you, as checking it is less about what you can and what you can feel. If you drive in an area riddled with rough surfaces and potholes, you’ll be more likely to fall victim to suspension wear and damage.

Checking for suspension damage mostly takes place while driving. Keep an ear out for any unusual noises or plunks your car makes on the road, especially when cornering and driving over bumpy roads.

Another sign can be in the level the car sits at when parked. Sit in the car stationary after driving it - if you notice it sitting not quite level, too high or low in one area, then you may find the suspension being flagged in your next MOT.

Tyres

It’s vital to have your tyres in check, as they are your vehicle’s only contact point with the road. It can affect your control of the vehicle, so checking your tyres regularly should be of high priority. Nonetheless, it stands as one of the most common MOT failures.

Your tyre tread wears down over time and can reduce handling performance and even blowout if left to wear down too much. To check that your vehicle has ample tread, use a 20p coin to measure the depth of the central three-quarters of the tyre all the way around. If you can see the outer band, your tyre tread is less than 2mm deep and is falling dangerously close to the legal minimum depth of 1.6mm. At this stage, you should seek a replacement immediately.

Be sure to feel the tyre for any uneven wear, lumps or cuts, and if the tyres are at a suitable speed rating for your vehicle. If you need to replace your tyres with a brand new, high-quality set, LK Performance has the UK’s most elite selection of tyres for a range of vehicles. We stock everything from Pirelli and Firestone to Continental, Michelin and Goodyear for an affordable price and secure fitting in our state-of-the-art fitting centre. Plus, use our free online tyre fitment checker and we’ll filter our store to give you only the tyres that fit your vehicle, making your search infinitely easier.

Brakes

Of the common MOT failures, brakes are the most hazardous. Because the ability to stop a moving car is the most important part of using it, the standards are at their highest here, but an alarming amount of vehicles don’t make the cut.

Brakes often get to a point of failure when they are worn too thin to provide enough stopping power. When your brake pads are running low, you’re likely to hear squealing or grinding noises when you use them. In other cases, braking could lean to one side rather than in a straight line. The car’s handbrake should also be factored in; it should be able to stop your vehicle on a hill when applied.

Inspecting your brakes involves removing your wheels or looking through the spokes. The surface of your brake disc should be smooth and the depth should be reasonably thick. If neither of these is true for your vehicle, your vehicle will likely not make it past its MOT.

Windscreen Obstruction

One common MOT failure that may be overlooked is objects or damage that obscures the driver’s view through the windshield. This can be anything from aftermarket sat-navs, air freshers and faulty wipers to cracks and chips in front of the driver.

If you’re looking for a quality vehicle repair and customisation service that guarantees excellent tyre fittings, LK Performance is the UK’s premier choice. Browse our extensive collection online today, or come to our fitting centre and have a brand new set of tyres to pass your MOT and deliver years of performance fitted today.