Things that Are Unlikely to Fail an MOT

As your annual MOT approaches, it’s understandable to feel nervous as to whether your vehicle will pass or not. In the absence of a valid MOT, your vehicle cannot legally be on the road, so it can seem that there is a lot riding on the test.

There is, after all, a whole host of valid reasons why you can fail your MOT, from windscreen wipers to wheel nuts. However, there are also a variety of things you can get away with without a fail (though that doesn’t mean they aren’t worth monitoring).

To put your mind at ease, we’ve compiled a list of things that you likely won’t fail your MOT for, so read on to be pleasantly surprised.

1) Worn down brake pads

Used constantly as a car safety essential, your brake pads will wear down quickly, and MOT technicians know this. Brake pads work through friction which means, technically, their purpose is to erode — the key is not too much.

If your brake pads are worn slightly, or the lining has begun to erode slightly, you’ll likely receive a cautionary warning to replace them soon. But it is possible to still pass despite brake pad erosion, provided they are not eroded below the legal minimum of 1.5mm - as this can be dangerous.

It is recommended, however, to replace your brake pads if they erode to less than 3mm. Also, as good practice, you should book your car in for regular servicing to check your brakes since most brake pads have a lifespan of roughly 50,000 miles.

2) Cracked windscreen

While we don’t advise driving around with any sort of damage to your windscreen, it is possible to pass an MOT with just a few cracks or chips in it.

If the chips in the windscreen are less than 10mm, and not on the driver’s side, you can still pass. However, if the chips are more than 40mm wide, you’ll fail and need to get them repaired and or replace your windscreen immediately.

3) Gearbox Problems

While gearboxes are crucial to the safe handling of every car, certain issues won’t warrant complete MOT failure. Specific problems, like a gearbox noise, won’t cause a failure since the MOT test doesn’t actually cover the condition of the gearbox or the engine (aside from emissions).

That being said, it is wise to get any noises checked out in case they indicate a larger, underlying problem.

4) Worn down tyres

The legal limit for tyre tread depth is 1.6mm. Any less than this and your tyres won’t have grip enough to brake safely, causing increased braking distances. You’ll definitely fail your MOT if your tyres have excessive ripping or tyre tread erosion, in which case you’ll need to get your tyres replaced immediately.

However, some wear on tyres is expected since they are the only continuous point of contact between your vehicle and the road. So, as long as your tyres are above 1.6mm, you can still pass your MOT.

Find out how to check your tyre tread depth at home with our 20p test blog. If the tread depth is below 3mm, you should think about replacing them soon anyway for the safety of you and your passengers.

5) Dents in your car body

While your car’s body is subjected to a once over during its MOT, some light damage to your bodywork won’t warrant a failure. Most body parts are checked to ensure they are secure and won’t fly off when driving, but cosmetic damage like scratches and denting — providing they don’t interfere with the performance of the vehicle— are permissible.

Sharp edges that could cause injury, faulty doors, and un-openable windows are not permitted, though.

And there you have it. See, MOTs aren’t so bad after all? The important thing to remember is that they are there to keep you, your passengers, and fellow drivers safe on the road.

If you are worried that your car won’t pass its MOT, we’d recommend booking in for a combined MOT and service to prevent any nasty surprises when it comes to your test. In the meantime, get in touch with the experts at your local Kwik Fit with any questions you may have about your MOT.

And, if you don’t know when your MOT is due, use our handy MOT tool and save the date.