Want to know how to buy a used car without failing your next MOT?
Every year thousands of used car buyers pick the wrong vehicle. They buy what they think is a bargain… Only to discover it’s ineligible for its next safety inspection. Meaning costly repair bills, stress and a car you can’t legally drive.
The Problem:
Most buyers aren’t sure what to look for. They inspect paintwork, mileage and maybe the tyres… But they miss the important stuff that’ll stop a car passing its MOT.
Fortunately, learning how to properly evaluate whether a used car can pass its next MOT isn’t difficult. Plus, if you know what signs to look for you can protect yourself from buying a lemon.
What You’ll Learn
- Exactly what a vehicle safety inspection covers
- Why most cars fail their MOT
- How to inspect a used car for MOT advisories
- When you should get a professional inspection
What Does A Vehicle Safety Inspection Test Cover?
Vehicle safety inspections, better known as MOT’s, are annual tests to ensure a vehicle meets minimum road safety and environmental standards.
Everything from lights, brakes, suspension and exhaust emissions are checked.
If your vehicle fails… You can’t drive it until the issues are repaired.
No wonder it’s so important to know how to inspect a used car properly before buying. Getting a pre-purchase inspection from trusted repair specialists can uncover problem areas that would cause your car to fail its MOT test. Spending a few hours identifying these issues before purchase could save you hundreds on surprise repair bills.
Think about it this way:
The seller may not even know their car has issues. Or worse… They’re knowingly hiding them from you. Either way, the bill ends up being footed by you.
Common Vehicle Safety Inspection Failures
If you’re wondering how to properly evaluate whether a used car will pass its next MOT then you need to know why most cars fail.
Here’s the kicker…
Vast majority of MOT failures are down to simple problems that could have been avoided. Official statistics show that over one quarter of cars and vans failed their MOT test in the past year. Many of those could have been prevented with basic maintenance.
So what problems cause these failures? Take a look below at the most common MOT failures.
Lights & Electrical Issues
Broken lights are hands down the single biggest reason cars fail their MOT test. Research by RAC shows that nearly one in five MOT failures are attributed to lighting faults. Sometimes it’s even something as simple as a bulb.
To check… Switch on every light you can think of then walk around the car. Look at headlights, brake lights, indicators, fog lights and number plate lights. Are any dim or flickering? Any not working at all? That’s not good.
Pro-tip: Cracked or misty light lenses will also cause a car to fail. They diminish light output which will be picked up on during the test.
Tyres
Tyres are incredibly easy to check but are also one of the most common fail points during a MOT. Vehicles are required by law to have a minimum tread depth of 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of each tyre.
Got an old 20p coin handy? Pop it into the tread. If you can see the outer band of the coin then your tyres are below the legal limit and will fail.
But don’t stop there. Keep an eye out for:
- Cuts or bulges in the sidewall
- Odd tyre wear patterns – indication of possible alignment / suspension problems
- Mixing tyre types on the same axle
If you spot any of these problems during your inspection they could spell failure on the MOT test.
Brakes
Cars fail their MOT test because of braking issues all the time. Brake pads wear down over time so listen for any squealing or grinding noises when testing the car. Those noises mean the pads are getting low and you’ll need to replace them soon.
Also take note if the car pulls to one side when braking or if the brake pedal feels soft or spongy when pressed. These are indicators that something isn’t right with the braking system.
Here’s something else buyers often miss…
The handbrake. Surprisingly poor handbrakes are actually recorded as one of the most common reasons cars fail their MOT test every year. Simple way to check? Test it out on a slope. If your car rolls forwards, you’ve got a problem.
Suspension
Think worn shocks and suspension faults cause cars to fail their MOT test a lot? You’re right. But identifying problems with a cars suspension can be difficult. Suspension faults have the tendency to disguise themselves.
Push down hard on each corner of the vehicle and let go. The car should rebound smoothly back to its resting position. If not, and it continues to bounce up and down… The shocks are probably shot.
Suspension noises are another dead giveaway. Listen for any clunking or knocking noises as you drive over bumps or round corners. Like worn shocks these are usually a sign of worn suspension components.
Emissions & Exhaust
The MOT emissions test checks your vehicle isn’t exceeding its emissions limit for harmful gases. If your exhaust is smoking or your engine warning light is illuminated… Then expect a failure.
Visually inspect underneath for any cracks, rust holes or loose fittings on the exhaust system. Exhaust problems are one of those jobs that only get more expensive the longer you leave it.
Learn How to Evaluate A Used Car
Evaluating whether a used car will pass its next MOT doesn’t have to be hard. Go through this simple checklist before you buy:
- Walk around the car and inspect lights, mirrors and glass for damage
- Check tyres for sufficient tread depth, cuts and uneven tyre wear
- Test brakes during your full test drive (try highway, city and everything in-between)
- Push down on each corner of vehicle to test suspension
- Peek underneath the vehicle for exhaust damage, leaks or corrosion
- Check for any dashboard warning lights that stay illuminated after starting
Found an old MOT history? Take a look through it. Advisory notes are key since they point out areas the inspector was worried about during that test. If those advisories haven’t been repaired already they are more than likely to become failures next MOT.
Bottom Line
Purchasing a used car can be fun. You shouldn’t have to stress over whether or not it’s going to pass its next MOT. But unfortunately that’s exactly what happens when people skip these simple checks.
You see, most vehicles fail their MOT for one of the reasons listed above. Lights, tyres, brakes and suspension issues. These are simple problems to spot before buying a used car. Best part? They won’t set you back very much to repair either.
So do your homework. Take the time to go through this guide and properly evaluate any used car before buying. If you suspect something might be wrong, get a professional inspection done before you buy.
That’s how you avoid driving lemons. Smart used car buyers do it this way.
