What Fails an MOT? The Complete 2026 List

The complete list of MOT failure points in 2026. Lights, tyres, brakes, emissions, and more — know what to fix before your test.

What Fails an MOT? The Complete List

Over 40% of vehicles fail their first MOT attempt. Most failures are cheap to fix if you catch them beforehand. Here's what the testers check.

The top MOT failure reasons

1. Lights and signalling (30% of failures) — Blown bulbs, misaligned headlights, broken indicators
2. Suspension (21%) — Worn shock absorbers, damaged springs, corroded components
3. Brakes (18%) — Worn pads, binding calipers, corroded discs
4. Tyres (10%) — Below 1.6mm tread depth, damage, wrong size, mismatched
5. Driver's view (7%) — Cracked windscreen in the driver's line of sight, worn wipers
6. Emissions (5%) — Failed exhaust emissions test, damaged catalytic converter
7. Steering (4%) — Excessive play, worn track rod ends
8. Bodywork and structure (3%) — Corrosion near load-bearing points, sharp edges

Quick pre-MOT checklist

Before your test, check these yourself:

• All bulbs working (headlights, brake lights, indicators, fog lights, number plate light)
• Tyres have at least 1.6mm tread (use a 20p coin — if the outer band is visible, they're legal)
• Windscreen washers work and bottle is filled
• Horn works
• No warning lights on the dashboard
• Seatbelts clip in and retract properly
• Mirrors intact and adjustable
• Number plates clean and readable

Want to see your full MOT history?

Our full vehicle report shows every MOT test, every advisory, and every failure — so you know exactly what's been flagged before.

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