MOT failures
MOT failures explained
A failed MOT does not always mean a car is bad, but the pattern of failures can tell you a lot about how the car has been maintained.
Is a previous MOT failure a deal-breaker?
Not automatically. Many cars fail a MOT and are repaired properly. The bigger concern is repeated failure patterns or serious issues that appear again later.
Failure patterns to watch
- Repeated brake-related failures
- Repeated tyre or suspension failures
- Corrosion failures
- Emissions failures over multiple years
- Mileage readings that look inconsistent
- A fail followed by a pass with many advisories still present
What to ask the seller
Ask what repairs were carried out after the failure, whether invoices are available, and whether any related issues remain.
How the report helps
UK Car Check summarises MOT failure patterns in plain English so you can decide whether the car is worth viewing.
Ready to check a car?
Enter the registration and get a free MOT history preview before deciding whether a full report is useful.
Start a check