What happens after an MOT failure: repairs and retests

A fail is not the end of the road. The tester issues a refusal certificate listing every defect found, sorted into dangerous, major and minor, and what you do next depends mostly on that grading. Many failed cars are repaired and back on the road with a pass soon afterwards.

Here is how the process works, what it means for driving the car home, and how retests are handled. Always read the refusal paperwork carefully, because it tells you exactly what has to be put right.

What do dangerous, major and minor defects mean?

A dangerous defect means there is a direct and immediate risk to safety or the environment. The vehicle should not be driven until it is repaired, even if the old certificate has not expired. A major defect may affect safety or the environment, or put other road users at risk, and it also results in a fail. A minor defect has no significant effect and does not fail the car, but it is recorded. An advisory notes something that may need attention soon.

• Dangerous: do not drive the car until repaired
• Major: a fail that must be fixed before a pass
• Minor: recorded, but the car can still pass
• Advisory: keep an eye on it for the future

Can I drive my car home after it fails an MOT?

It depends on the grading and the date. If the failure includes a dangerous defect, the car must not be driven away, other than to be repaired in some circumstances, and the sensible course is to have it repaired where it stands. If the defects are major but not dangerous, and your previous certificate is still valid, you may drive it, provided it remains roadworthy.

If the old certificate has already expired, you may only drive to a place where the repairs will be done, or to a pre-booked retest. In every case, a car with a fault that makes it unsafe, such as poor brakes or a damaged tyre, is not one to take on the road for convenience.

How do repairs after an MOT failure work?

You have the choice of where repairs are done. Many drivers have them carried out by the garage that did the test, because the tester has already seen the fault and can quote for the work. Ask for a quote before agreeing anything, and expect the price to depend on the parts needed, the labour involved and how easy the area is to reach.

Some repairs are quick, such as a bulb, wiper blade or tyre. Others, like corroded brake pipes or worn suspension joints, involve more work. Any repair is confirmed only after the vehicle has been looked at, so we do not promise an outcome from a list alone.

Do I have to pay for a full MOT again?

Not necessarily. There are set rules for retests. If the car is left with the testing garage for repair and is retested within ten working days, a partial retest of the failed items is normally what applies. If you take it away and bring it back within ten working days, a partial retest may also apply for certain items, but not for all of them. After that period, a full test is needed.

Because the exact arrangements vary with the circumstances, ask the garage before you book. At Automaster, a garage at Longcombe Cross near Totnes, we are happy to explain how it applies to your car.

What if I disagree with the MOT result?

If you think the result is wrong, speak to the garage first and ask the tester to show you the defect on the car. Most disagreements are cleared up that way. If you are still not satisfied, there is an official appeal process through the government agency that oversees MOT testing, and there are time limits for using it, so act promptly.

Do not carry out repairs before an appeal if you want the vehicle inspected in its failed state, and take advice on the timing first.