12 Most Common MOT Fails (+ How to Avoid Them)

MOT is not just a standard test. It’s a legal safety check. If your vehicle fails, you can’t drive it (except to and from a test or repair), and you may face fines or points. More importantly, MOT items are the things that keep you, your passengers, and everyone around you safe, every single day.

If you’re in or around Aldershot, Gforce Tyres can help you pass first time. We offer MOT testing, pre-checks, and quick fixes so you’re not stuck without the car you rely on for work, school, and life.

Below are the 12 most common MOT failure points, along with practical steps to identify problems early and avoid a fail.

1) Lights & Indicators

Why cars fail

Blown bulbs, cracked lenses, wrong colour, or indicators flashing too fast/slow. Even a number plate that lights up can fail.

How does this affect daily driving

Poor lighting reduces your visibility at dawn, dusk, and in the rain. Others can’t see your signals. That’s risky in traffic and at roundabouts.

How to avoid it

• Do a two-minute light check weekly.
• Walk around the car. Test dipped, main beam, fogs, brakes, reverse, indicators, hazards, and plate lights.
• Replace bulbs in pairs. Keep spares in the glovebox.
• Clean lenses. Remove condensation if possible.

How We Help: Pop into Gforce Tyres Aldershot for quick bulb replacements and a free light check.

2) Tyres: Tread, Pressure & Condition

Why cars fail

Tread below 1.6 mm, cuts, bulges, cords showing, or mismatched sizes on the same axle.

Daily impact

Longer stopping distances. Poor grip in the wet. Increased blowout risk on the A331 or M3.

How to avoid it

• Use a 20p coin. If you can see the outer rim, tread is too low.
• Check pressures monthly and before trips (door-jamb sticker is your guide).
• Inspect sidewalls for lumps and cuts.
• Rotate tyres every 6–8k miles for even wear.
• Consider all-season or premium tyres if you commute in varied weather.

How We Help: Same-day tyre fitting, balancing, and 4-wheel alignment to correct uneven wear, often the hidden cause of fast tyre failure.

3) Brakes: Pads, Discs & Performance

Why cars fail

Worn pads, scored discs, binding calipers, poor brake balance, handbrake not holding.

Daily impact

Spongy pedal. Pulling to one side. Longer stops in the wet. Stressful in stop-start traffic and downhill.

How to avoid it

• Listen for squeal or grinding.
• If the steering shudders when braking, get discs checked.
• Test the handbrake on an incline.
• Flush brake fluid every 2 years to maintain stopping power.

How We Help: Ask Gforce Tyres for a brake inspection before the MOT. Small fixes now beat a fail later.

4) Suspension: Springs & Dampers

Why cars fail

Broken coil springs. Leaking shocks. Worn bushes. Excessive play.

Daily impact

Bouncy ride. Poor cornering grip on roundabouts. Tyres wear in strange patterns. More fatigue on long drives.

How to avoid it

• Listen for knocks over speed bumps.
• Check for uneven ride height.
• Inspect tyres for “cupping” wear.
• Replace shocks in pairs.

How We Help: Gforce Tyres Aldershot checks suspension during pre-MOTs and aligns wheels after repairs.

5) Windscreen Wipers & Washer Fluid

Why cars fail

Wipers smear or split. Washers don’t spray. Low screenwash.

Daily impact

Glare at night. Sudden downpours become dangerous. You can’t clear salty winter film.

How to avoid it

• Replace wiper blades every 6–12 months.
• Use proper screenwash (it resists freezing and cleans better).
• Check jets point at the screen, not the bonnet.

How We Help: We’ll top up fluids and fit wipers while you wait.

6) Windscreen Damage & Driver View

Why cars fail

Chips or cracks in the driver’s line of sight beyond allowed size. Excess stickers or dash clutter blocking the view.

Daily impact

Cracks spread in hot/cold swings. You miss hazards. Glare increases at night.

How to avoid it

• Fix chips early, repairs are often free on insurance.
• Keep the sweep area clear of stickers, sat navs, and phone mounts.
• Defog quickly to avoid smeary glass.

How We Help: Gforce Tyres can advise if a chip risks an MOT fail.

7) Emissions & Exhaust System

Why cars fail

Exhaust leaks. Excessive smoke. Failed catalytic converter or DPF issues. Engine management light on.

Daily impact

Poor fuel economy, fumes in cabin, sluggish acceleration. Risk of roadside fines for smoky exhausts.

How to avoid it

• Keep to service intervals. Clean oil and filters help.
• For diesels, take a 20–30 minute motorway drive before testing to clear the DPF.
• Use the right low-SAP oil on DPF cars.
• Don’t ignore the engine light, get diagnostics.

How We Help: Pre-MOT diagnostics and emissions checks help catch problems early.

8) Seatbelts & Airbags

Why cars fail

Frayed belts. Buckles that don’t latch. Airbag warning light illuminated.

Daily impact

Reduced crash protection for you and your family. A simple click might not hold in an emergency stop.

How to avoid it

• Inspect belts for cuts and frays.
• Test each buckle clicks and releases cleanly.
• Scan airbag faults early, many are sensor-related and fixable.

How We Help: Drop by Gforce Tyres for a fault-light health check.

9) Steering: Racks, Joints & Fluid

Why cars fail

Excess play in the track rods or the rack. Power steering leaks. Stiff or notchy steering.

Daily impact

Wandering at speed. Extra effort parking. Uneven tyre wear.

How to avoid it

• If the wheel doesn’t return to centre, get it checked.
• Look for fluid spots under the car.
• Combine steering inspection with wheel alignment after any curb strike.

How We Help: After pothole season, book a quick steering and alignment check at Gforce Tyres Aldershot.

10) Number Plates, VIN & Horn

Why cars fail

Illegible plates, wrong font/spacing, missing lights, or dirty plates. Horn not working. VIN unreadable.

Daily impact

ANPR can’t read you. You risk fines. Others can’t hear your warning blast in a near-miss.

How to avoid it

• Clean plates often.
• Check the plate light at night.
• Press the horn, loud and clear?
• Make sure the VIN plate is visible and not corroded.

How We Help: We stock UK-legal plates and can fit them correctly.

11) Doors, Mirrors & Latches

Why cars fail

Doors that won’t open from inside or out. Loose hinges. Broken mirrors. Boot that won’t secure.

Daily impact

Emergency exit risk. Poor rear/side visibility. Items can fall from the boot.

How to avoid it

• Test all doors and the boot, lock/unlock/open/close.
• Ensure both front mirrors are present, secure, and adjustable.
• Replace cracked mirrors immediately.

How We Help: We can fit mirrors and check latches before your MOT.

12) Fluid Leaks & General Condition

Why cars fail

Fuel, oil, or coolant leaks. Dangerous corrosion around suspension/seatbelt mounts. Loose battery.

Daily impact

Breakdowns. Fire risk. Overheating on the school run. Slippery driveways and environmental harm.

How to avoid it

• Watch for new spots under the car.
• Keep the engine bay tidy and battery clamped.
• Deal with rust sooner rather than later, surface rust is simpler than structural repairs.

How We Help: Quick under-car inspections spot leaks and corrosion early.

Practical Pre-MOT Checklist (5–10 Minutes)

Do this a week before

• All lights work, including number-plate lights.
• Tyres: 1.6 mm or more, even wear, correct pressures.
• Wipers & wash: Clean sweep and strong spray.
• Windscreen: Chips out of the driver’s main view, screen clear.
• Horn: Loud and instant.
• Seatbelts: Click securely and retract freely.
• Mirrors: Both present and secure.
• Plates: Clean, correct format, illuminated.
• Fluids: Oil, coolant, brake, screenwash topped up.
• Warning lights: None staying on after start-up.

Bring on the day

• V5C logbook (helpful).
• Wheel-lock key if you have locking nuts.
• Any service history or DPF notes for diesels.

For peace of mind, schedule your MOT test in Aldershot with Gforce Tyres, where pre-checks and professional advice help you avoid common MOT failures.

Why Passing First Time Saves More Than Money

• No downtime: You keep your weekly routine. No juggling lifts or taxis.
• No retest stress: One and done.
• Safer all year: MOT items are safety-critical in daily driving, not just on test day.
• Better resale: A clean, fresh MOT tells buyers you maintain the car.

Why Choose Gforce Tyres for MOT In Aldershot? 

Gforce Tyres is your local MOT service provider in Aldershot. 

Here’s how we keep things smooth:

• Pre-MOT Health Check: We find the little issues that cause most fails.
• Same-Day Solutions: Bulbs, wipers, tyres, brakes, alignment, done while you wait.
• Transparent Advice: We show you what’s essential now and what can wait.
• Emissions & Diagnostics: Clear faults before they become fails.
• Comfortable Wait or Drop-Off: Grab a coffee nearby or we’ll keep you posted.
• Local care: Serving Aldershot, Farnborough, Ash, Tongham, Fleet, Camberley.

One call does it: Book your MOT or pre-MOT check with Gforce Tyres. We’ll help you pass first time, and keep your car safe every day after.

Conclusion 

Most MOT fails are simple and preventable: lights, tyres, wipers, brakes. A few minutes of checks, once a month, keeps you safe and saves you money. When the test date is close, let Gforce Tyres Aldershot handle the pre-MOT and the MOT itself.

Book your MOT or pre-MOT check with Gforce Tyres in Aldershot today. We’ll keep you legal, safe, and on the road. Ready to pass your MOT? Get directions to Gforce Tyres in Aldershot and visit us for a smooth, professional MOT and pre-check service.