A car with a fresh MOT can still have problems waiting for you. The clues are often in the advisories: things the tester spotted that weren't bad enough to fail the car. Here's how to read them before you buy.

How MOT results are graded

Since May 2018, problems found at an MOT fall into these groups:

  • Dangerous: a direct risk to road safety. The car fails and shouldn't be driven until it's fixed.
  • Major: could affect safety, other road users or the environment. The car fails.
  • Minor: no significant effect on safety. The car passes, but it should be repaired as soon as possible.
  • Advisory: something to keep an eye on. It could become more serious in future.

A pass with a list of minors and advisories is still a pass. That's why it's worth reading the detail, not just the result. You can see every past MOT, with its defects and advisories, using our free MOT history check.

Advisories that matter most when buying

Brakes

"Brake disc worn, pitted or scored" or "brake pad worn thin" means a brake service is coming soon. It isn't a reason to walk away, but it is a cost to factor into the price.

Tyres

"Tyre worn close to legal limit" or "tyre worn on inner edge" is cheap to fix on its own. Edge wear that comes back year after year, though, can point to alignment or suspension problems.

Corrosion

Light surface rust on a subframe is common on older cars. Corrosion on sills, brake pipes, suspension mounts or near seatbelt anchorages is more serious and tends to get worse. Corrosion that appears at several MOTs in a row deserves a close look underneath.

Suspension and steering

Advisories about ball joints, bushes, shock absorbers or steering components affect how safely the car handles, and can be expensive if several need doing at once.

Oil leaks and exhaust

"Oil leak but not excessive" may be a minor seep, or the start of a gasket or seal failure. Exhaust or emissions advisories can hint at catalytic converter or diesel particulate filter (DPF) trouble, which is often costly.

Look for patterns, not one-offs

A single advisory that was fixed by the next MOT is fine. Warning signs are:

  • the same advisory appearing year after year without being fixed;
  • several advisories in one area, such as brakes or suspension;
  • the car failing, being patched up, and failing again on similar items.

Our MOT check groups recurring problems for you, so you can spot these patterns quickly.

Using advisories to negotiate

Advisories give you evidence. If the last MOT says the front discs and pads are worn and two tyres are close to the limit, you have a fair case for asking the seller to fix them or reduce the price. An inspection report with repair cost estimates makes that conversation easier.

What an MOT doesn't check

An MOT is a minimum safety and emissions check on one day. It doesn't test the condition of the engine, clutch or gearbox, whether warning lights were cleared before the test, or whether the car has had accident repairs. For that, see what car inspectors actually check.

Frequently asked questions

Should I avoid a car with MOT advisories?

Not necessarily. Most used cars have some. Read what they are, check whether they've been fixed, and factor the cost into your offer.

Does a dealer have to fix MOT advisories before selling?

No. Advisories aren't failures. But the car must be of satisfactory quality and as described, so it's worth asking the dealer to put agreed repairs in writing.

Can I see MOT advisories before I view a car?

Yes. All you need is the registration. Use our free MOT history check to see every test, its mileage and its advisories.

Found a car with a long list of advisories? Book an inspection and we'll check whether they've been dealt with and what's likely to need doing next.