MOT Advisories – What Do Advisories on an MOT Mean?

If your car is over three years old, then every year, you need to take it for an MOT – a mandatory test designed to ensure that your vehicle is in a roadworthy condition. During the MOT test, your car is thoroughly checked for defects or issues that could compromise its safety and environmental performance. Any issues found are recorded as “advisories” on your MOT certificate. In this blog post, we’ll examine MOT advisory, why they matter, and how you can address them to keep your car in top condition.

What are MOT advisories?

MOT advisories are issues or defects found during the MOT test on your vehicle but are not severe enough to cause it to fail. They are recorded on your DVLA MOT certificate and are intended to alert you to potential problems with your vehicle that may require attention in the near future.Advisories are typically issues that do not immediately affect your car’s safety or environmental performance but may need to be addressed before your next MOT test. Examples of areas for attention can include worn tires, brake pads or discs nearing the end of their lifespan, or a leaking exhaust system.Addressing issues noted on your car’s MOT is imperative in keeping your vehicle safe and roadworthy. These issues may seem minor but can lead to significant problems if addressed. By promptly addressing advisories, you can help ensure your car’s continued safety and reliability.

What are MOT fault categories?

MOT faults are issues or defects found during a vehicle’s MOT (Ministry of Transport) test. Since 2018, MOT defects on cars have been categorized in the following way:

1. Minor faults: These are faults that do not significantly impact the safety or roadworthiness of the vehicle. They may include issues such as a broken light or a worn-out tire.
2. Major faults: These are more severe faults that could affect the safety of the vehicle or other road users. Examples include problems with the brakes or steering.
3. Dangerous faults: These are the most severe faults that pose an immediate risk to the safety of drivers, passengers, or other road users. Examples include faulty brakes or a broken suspension.

It’s essential to address any MOT faults promptly, regardless of their severity, to ensure the vehicle’s and its occupants’ safety.

What’s the difference between faults and advisories?

A fault is a serious problem that causes the vehicle to fail the MOT test and must be fixed before driving again. An MOT advisory contains less severe issues that will not cause the car to fail the MOT test but should be repaired to prevent them from becoming more severe problems in the future. Common examples of MOT advisories list include worn brake pads or discs, worn or damaged tires, leaking shock absorbers or suspension components, and minor exhaust system leaks.

MOT advisory checks when buying a car

When buying a used car, check the MOT history to see if any advisories are recorded on the DVLA MOT certificate. MOT advisory are notes made by an MOT tester during an MOT test, indicating issues or defects that have been found during the test but are not severe enough to cause the vehicle to fail.Checking the MOT history of a used car can give you an idea of any potential issues that need to be addressed soon. It can also help you determine if the previous owner has taken good care of the vehicle and if it has been regularly maintained.

How can I check my MOT advisory online?

You can visit online services that provide vehicle history reports to check your MOT advisories. You will need to provide the registration number of your vehicle and the make and model, and the website will show you the MOT history for your car. This will include any cautionary notes that were noted during previous MOT tests.