27/10/2026
Roughly one in five cars fail their MOT first time, often due to minor, easy-to-spot defects.
Analysing millions of DVSA records, stillontheroad.co.uk compiled the top reasons vehicles fail:
𝗟𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: A blown bulb (number plate, brake, indicator, or headlamp) is the single most common failure and costs pennies to replace.
𝗧𝘆𝗿𝗲𝘀: Tread below the 1.6mm legal limit, or sidewall damage. Remember to inspect across the full width and whole circumference.
𝗕𝗿𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀: Worn pads, imbalance, or a binding caliper.
𝗦𝘂𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻: Worn springs, shock absorbers, and bushes.
𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆: Chips/cracks in the driver’s line of sight, split wiper blades, or simply an empty screenwash reservoir.
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆: Taking 10 minutes to check your lights, tyres, and washer fluid before your test could save you the cost and hassle of an unnecessary retest.
