The RAC has revealed the most common fault flagged up on MOT tests in the UK, which could lead to an unfortunate breakdown or costly repair – and it’s nothing to do with the brakes
Brits are being urged to check their cars for a common fault that could leave you broken down and out of pocket.
It’s a yearly event that many motorists would rather skip — the dreaded MOT test. For some drivers the process is straightforward and trouble-free, but for others it can quickly become a costly calamity, revealing a long list of essential repairs.
There is also a sizeable group that falls somewhere in between: their cars pass the MOT with advisories, with mechanics flagging issues that should be addressed sooner rather than later – but still allow Brits to drive off without having to deal with the problems straight away. But, ignoring these advisories can have serious consequences, as revealed by a recent RAC survey of almost 1,500 motorists.
According to the findings, one in six drivers who ignored an MOT advisory in the past year ended up experiencing a vehicle breakdown or crash as a direct result of the unresolved issue flagged by the garage. The RAC described the phenomena as ‘troubling advisory apathy among drivers’.
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What is an MOT?
The annual MOT, which is required for cars, vans and motorcycles from their third year of registration, is a roadworthiness check covering a range of consumable parts — including lights, seatbelts, tyres and brakes — to ensure they meet legal standards. Vehicles found to have ‘dangerous’ or ‘major’ defects automatically fail the test.
However, ‘minor’ problems are recorded as advisories because they are not severe enough to cause an immediate failure. Still, they are highlighted as issues that should be resolved in the near future to keep the car roadworthy.
The RAC survey found that more than two in five drivers reported receiving one or more advisories at their last MOT. Despite this, more than half (54 per cent) admitted they did not act on the warning and neglected to get the problem fixed.
RAC mobile servicing and repairs team leader, Nick Mullender, emphasised the importance of MOT advisories, saying they ‘demand attention’ because they indicate a vehicle ‘isn’t in the best of health’. He cautioned: “Unfortunately, our research suggests there’s a lot of troubling advisory apathy among drivers.
“Advisories indicate the potential for the vehicle to become unroadworthy in a matter of months or even weeks, depending on the nature of the issue and how often the vehicle is driven. It’s crucial that drivers keep a close eye on any flagged items. An MOT is the most basic of roadworthiness checks, and no replacement for a proper service by a qualified mechanic.”
The RAC’s survey found the most common advisories on MOTs arranged by drivers between May 2024 and May 2025 included issues with the tyres, brakes and suspension. Other factors included problems with the car’s lights or exhaust system.
- Tyres (e.g. tread, wear, quality): 42%
- Brakes (e.g. pads or discs): 34%
- Suspension: 22%
- Lights: 16%
- Corrosion: 14%
- Something else: 11%
- Exhaust system: 9%
- Steering: 8%
- Visibility (e.g. out of windscreen): 8%
- Other electrical system: 4%
- Bodywork damage: 2%
According to Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) records for 2023-24, 34.7 million vehicles underwent MOT testing. Of these, 7.9 million initially failed — accounting for 28.4 per cent of cases. Notably, 2.7 million of these failures were due to dangerous defects, suggesting that 7.9 per cent of vehicles on the road had serious faults posing a real risk to owners, passengers and other road users.
The consequences of this inaction can be severe. 17 per cent of those who ignored advisories said their vehicles subsequently broke down or were involved in a crash directly linked to the advisory defect highlighted during the MOT.
But the good news is that tyre tread issues are among the easiest MOT faults to avoid. Simply check them regularly using a tread depth gauge or the ’20p test’ — insert a 20p coin into the tread and if the rim is visible, your tread is too low. Drivers should also ensure their tyres are inflated to the correct pressure and check for signs of uneven wear.
So while the word ‘advisory’ may make the issues seem less than pressing, ignore them at your own peril. You could wind up with a hefty repair bill — or worse, involved in an accident.
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