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An MOT (Ministry of Transport) test is an annual, mandatory inspection for vehicles over three years old, evaluating safety, exhaust emissions, and overall roadworthiness. If your car fails its MOT, you may be eligible for a free retest—or a retest at a reduced fee—provided the retest is conducted within a ten-day period. This ten-day window allows sufficient time to complete any necessary repairs.
You can secure a passing result on your MOT retest by addressing all items that initially failed. Additionally, the MOT certificate serves as a valuable document for any mechanic or workshop when carrying out repairs. To qualify for a free MOT retest, the following conditions must be met:
When these conditions are satisfied, the retest is provided automatically, free of charge. For certain repairs—especially those not listed below—you might require the expertise of a specialist mechanic. In such cases, you are permitted to temporarily remove your car from the test centre for the necessary repairs.
Below is a list of the most common repairs that are typically completed within ten days, qualifying you for a free MOT retest:
If a vehicle fails its MOT test, you, as the driver, will be issued an MOT refusal certificate—commonly known as a VT30—and the failure details will be recorded in the MOT database. Read on for an in-depth explanation of the various MOT fail codes and the reasons behind them.
Listed on your MOT fail sheet are codes as to why your vehicle has failed its MOT test check. The codes listed applies to the section of the MOT test that the vehicle failed. For example, code 5.1.b.1 can be broken down to the following; Section 5. Sub-Section 1. b Subject. 1 Reason for fail.
Section 1: Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment
Section 2: Steering and Suspension
Section 3: Brakes
Section 4: Tyres and Road Wheels
Section 5: Seat Belts and Supplementary Restraint Systems (SRS)
Section 6: Body, Structure and General Items
Section 7: Exhaust, fuel and Emissions
Section 8: Drivers view of the road
Below are the specific sections, sub-sections, and subject items examined during the MOT test that can trigger the generation of MOT failure codes.
During an MOT test, lamps are inspected to ensure that all lighting and signalling systems are in proper working order. Reflectors are examined for the correct color and proper positioning, and key electrical components—such as the horn, battery, and wiring—are tested with a single switch operation. If the engine warning light is illuminated during the MOT, the vehicle will fail due to the associated risks, which include compromised road safety and negative environmental impacts. It is strongly advised not to drive until a reputable garage has resolved the issue.
1.1 Front and Rear Position Lamps and Registration Plate Lamps
a. Front and rear position lamps
b. End outline marker lamps
c. Registration plate lamps
1.2 Stop Lamps
1.3 Rear Fog Lamps
1.4 Direction Indicators and Hazard Warning Lamps
a. Flashing type
b. Hazard warning device
c. Semaphore type
1.5 Rear Reflectors
1.6 Audible Warning (Horn)
1.7 Headlamps
1.8 Headlamp Aim
a. All headlamps
b. European 'E' Beam Headlamps
c. British American Type (Main Beam)
d. British American Type (Dipped Beam)
1.9 Electrical Wiring and Batter
Steering is typically evaluated by moving the steering wheel in various directions. In contrast, the suspension system is examined in a slightly more complex manner, often by raising the vehicle on a lift for a detailed inspection.
2.1 Steering control
2.2 Steering System
2.3 Power Steering
2.4 Suspension – General
a. All suspension types
b. Leaf springs
c. Coil springs
d. Fluid/gas/air suspension
e. Torsion bars
f. Bonded suspension units
g. Suspension arms and linkages, sub frames etc
2.5 Front Suspension Front Wheel Bearings and Drive Shafts
a. Suspension joints and wheel bearings (wheels jacked)
b. Suspension joints (wheel on turning plates)
c. Front wheel drive shafts and couplings
2.6 Rear Suspension and Wheel Bearings
2.7 Shock Absorbers
2.8 Suspension Type Diagrams
Brakes are typically assessed for efficiency and balance during an MOT test using a roller brake tester. Additionally, the vehicle’s brake pads and discs are inspected. If the brake pads measure less than 3mm, you'll be advised to replace them; however, since the legal minimum thickness is 1.5mm, falling below that level will result in an MOT failure.
3.1 Parking Brake Control
3.2 Hand Operated Brake Control Valves
3.3 Service Brake Control
a. All types of braking systems
b. Hydraulic systems (including servo assisted)
c. Vehicles with High Servo Boost
d. Full power hydraulic braking systems
e. Air and vacuum systems
3.4 Anti-lock Braking and Electronic Stability Control Systems
3.5 Mechanical Brake Components
3.6 Braking systems and Additional Braking Devices
a. All braking systems
b. Brake pipes and flexible hoses
c. Servos and master cylinders
d. Reservoirs (air/vacuum), including accumulators, pressure and vacuum vessels
e. Valves
f. Pumps and compressors
g. Hydraulic systems
h. Air systems
i. Additional braking devices
j. Electronic braking systems (class 5 only)
3.7 Brake Performance
a. Roller brake test
b. Decelerometer test
c. Plate brake test
d. Gradient test
3.8 Method of Calculating brake performance
3.9 Brake Efficiency Tables
At Shelly Motors Middleton, we conduct comprehensive MOT tests to ensure your vehicle meets all safety and environmental standards. During your MOT, it's essential that your tyres are in optimal condition. Having the right tyres not only increases your chances of passing the MOT but also enhances your vehicle’s safety and performance.
Tyres are evaluated for their nominal size and aspect ratio, while road wheels are inspected for defects like fractures, welding flaws, improper fitting, or incompatibility with their fittings. The MOT tester also checks for visible tyre damage, such as cuts, punctures, tears, lumps, and bulges. If the tyre tread falls below the legal minimum of 1.6mm, the vehicle will fail the MOT, and the tyres will need to be replaced.
4.1 Tyres
a. Type of structure
b. Load index and speed rating (applicable to class 5 only)
c. Speed rating – Restricted speed vehicles (applicable to class 5 only)
d. Condition of tyres
e. Tread pattern, breadth and depth
4.2 Road Wheels
a. Applicable to all vehicles
b. Additional checks (applicable to class 5, 7 and large class 4 only)
Seat belts are checked by their size, security and condition, including adjustment fitting and attachments.
5.1 Seat Belt Requirements
a. Fitment
b. General Information
c. Three-Wheeled Vehicles
d. Passenger Vehicles, Motor Caravans and Ambulances with up to 8 Passenger Seats
e. Minibuses, Motor Caravans and Ambulances with 9-12 Passenger Seats
f. Minibuses, Motor Caravans and Ambulances with 13-16 Passenger Seats
g. Coaches and Other Buses
h. Goods Vehicles and Living Vans
i. Seat Belt Types
5.2 Seat Belt Condition
5.3 Seat Belt Installation Requirements (Class 4A & 5A approved VTS only)
a. Seat belt Installation Check
b. Vehicles Exempt from Seat belt Installation Checks Seat belt Installation
c. Guidance Notes
5.4 Supplementary Restraint Systems
A general inspection on the vehicle structure is made to ensure there are no fractures, damage or corrosion.
6.1 Vehicle Structure, Body and General Items
a. Vehicle structure
b. Body security (vehicles with separate bodies only)
c. Body condition
d. Engine mountings
e. Steps and stairs (class 5 only)
6.2 Seats and Doors
a. Seats
b. Doors
c. Passenger entrance and exit doors (class 5 only)
d. Emergency exits (class 5 only)
6.3 Registration Plates and Vehicle Identification Number
a. Registration plates
b. Vehicle Identification Number
c. Registration Plates – Additional Information
6.4 Load Security, Spare Wheel and Carrier
6.5 Speed Limiter
a. Speed limiter plate
b. Speed limiter
6.6 Towbars
6.7 Speedometer
6.8 Driving controls (Class 5 only)
6.9 Glazing (Class 5 only)
During the MOT test, the exhaust, fuel, and emissions systems are examined while the engine is running to ensure there are no leaks. Additionally, the fuel system is inspected for any leakage, and the tap cap is checked to confirm it is securely sealed.
7.1 Exhaust system
7.2 Fuel System
7.3 Exhaust Emissions – Spark Ignition
a. All vehicles
b. Vehicles first used on or after 1st August 1975
c. Basic emissions test (BET)
d. Full CAT test
7.4 Exhaust Emissions-Compression Ignition
a. Vehicles First Used Before 1 August 1979
b. Vehicles First Used on or After 1 August 1979
During this stage of the inspection, the MOT tester will take a seat in the driver's chair to ensure that both the wing mirrors and the rear-view mirror provide an unobstructed view. The wipers and washers are also examined to confirm that they deliver clear visibility of the road.
8.1 View to rear
8.2 Wipers and Washers
8.3 Windscreen (Classes 3, 4 and 7 only)
8.4 Bonnet
MOT due soon? Click to book your MOT with Shelly Motors Middleton Garage!
Shelly Motors Limited is an appointed representative of ITC Compliance Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (their registration number is 313486) and which is permitted to advise on and arrange general insurance contracts as an intermediary. Shelly Motors Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority for consumer credit activity and our registration number is 602700 Permitted activities include acting as a credit broker not a lender. We can introduce you to a limited number of finance providers. We do not charge fees for our Consumer Credit services. We typically receive a payment(s) or other benefits from finance providers should you decide to enter into an agreement with them, typically either a fixed fee or a fixed percentage of the amount you borrow. The payment we receive may vary between finance providers and product types. The payment received does not impact the finance rate offered.
All finance applications are subject to status, terms and conditions apply, UK residents only, 18’s or over, Guarantees may be required.