MOT season is upon us, and whether it’s your very first test or you’ve been through it countless times, it’s always worth giving your car a thorough once-over before the big day. A few simple checks can help you avoid any nasty surprises (or unexpected bills!) when your vehicle goes in for its inspection. Let’s walk through the essentials to make sure you pass first time.
What do I need to check?
Lights & Indicators - Lighting faults are the number one cause of MOT failures. Inspect all lamps—headlights, brake lights, indicators, and fog lights. Replace any blown or misaligned bulbs. Shop Bulbs!
Windscreen & Wipers - Your windscreen must be free from chips, cracks, or deep scratches in the driver’s line of sight. Wipers should clear water effectively, and washers must spray correctly. Shop Wiper Blades!
Brakes & Suspension - Brake issues account for around 14% of MOT failures. Check pad thickness, look for scoring on discs, and listen for grinding or squealing. Inspect shock absorbers and springs for leaks or damage—suspension defects cause roughly 18% of failures.
Fluids & Battery - Top up engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, and power steering fluid. Fix any visible leaks—oil or coolant leaks result in automatic failure. Check battery condition and terminals. 👉 https://www.gsfcarparts.com/electrical/batteries
Other Essentials - Ensure seat belts, mirrors, number plates, and steering components are secure and undamaged. Remove dashboard obstructions like sat-nav holders or air fresheners. Check your exhaust and emissions systems are intact and compliant.
Common MOT Failures to Avoid (MOT Failure List)
Understanding the most frequent MOT failures is one of the smartest ways to prepare your vehicle for its test. It allows you to focus your pre-inspection efforts on the areas that are most likely to cause problems, saving you time, stress, and potentially a hefty repair bill. Whether you're doing a quick DIY check or booking in for a service, knowing what typically trips drivers up during an MOT helps you prioritise your checks and tackle issues before they become costly failures.
Lighting faults – Over 20% of MOT fails are due to bulbs and indicators.
Suspension issues – Around 18% of failures.
Brake defects – Responsible for 14% of fails.
Tyre tread problems – Cause roughly 13% of failures.
Visibility issues – Dirty or cracked windscreens and faulty wipers account for 10%.
Other common faults include rusted chassis, fluid leaks, steering defects, and damaged seat belts. Addressing these early can dramatically reduce your MOT failure risk.
DIY Tips to Pass Your MOT First Time:
Want to boost your chances of passing first time? Follow these DIY tips:
Use a Pre-Test Checklist: Run through a full MOT checklist covering lights, tyres, fluids, brakes, mirrors, seatbelts, steering, suspension, exhaust, and more.
Test Lights & Indicator: Ensure all reflectors and indicators work properly and replace any dim, broken or flickering bulbs, shop Replacement Bulbs.
Inspect Tyres: Measure tread depth and inflate tyres to the correct pressure. Rotate or replace tyres if wear is uneven.
Check Wipers & Washers: Make sure wipers leave no streaks and washer jets spray correctly, replace any worn or damaged wiper blades, shop our range of Wiper Blades. Refill screen wash and clean the windscreen thoroughly.
Check over your Brakes: Push the brake pedal to check for firmness. Look at pad thickness through the wheel and listen for grinding or squealing. Changing your brakes can be quite difficult but if you have the time, its worth taking it to a garage or getting them fixed before your MOT is due. We sell a variety of braking parts, with big name brands like Brembo and Delphi, shop now!
Check Fluids: Check your Engine Oil, Coolant and Brake Fluid are all topped up and there's no visible leaks. If you do need a top up, we have a variety of Fluids and Lubricants to suit all cars of all ages!
Verify Battery & Electrical: Your battery health should be top priority, especially with the unpredictable UK weather. Before your MOT, check that your battery is functioning as it should and there are no visible signs of damage. If your battery needs replacing, you'll notice things like a longer start time, flickering electrics and a loss of power. Shop replacement batteries here!
Last Minute Checks: Make sure you remove any roof bars, child seats and bulky items as these can impair the inspectors ability to check aspects of your car. You should also check that your tax and insurance documents are all up to date and and V5 information is correct.
What Happens If Your Car Fails Its MOT?
If your car fails, you’ll receive a VT30 certificate listing faults as dangerous, major, or minor. Dangerous faults make the car illegal to drive and must be fixed immediately, you can only drive to a repair appointment or for your retest.
Driving with a failed MOT, especially if you have dangerous faults, can result in a £2,500 fine, 3 penalty points, or even disqualification! You have 10 working days to fix the issues and return for a free retest, you do not have to get the issues fixed at the garage you had your MOT at, but you will have to return there t get the free re-test..
Don't wait for your MOT to fail, shop our extensive range of parts and keep yourself and your car safe on the roads!
At GSF Car Parts, we stock all the parts you need to pass your MOT with confidence-from bulbs and wiper blades to brake discs, batteries, and suspension components. Use our Reg Finder tool on the website to instantly locate compatible parts for your vehicle. You can collect in as little as 30 minutes from over 200 stores across the UK, or choose home delivery for ultimate convenience. Whether you're prepping for your MOT or replacing a failed component, GSF makes it fast, easy, and affordable.
