The Perils Of Ignoring Your MOT Advisory Notices

A new survey by the RAC has revealed that 17% of drivers, nearly six million motorists, experienced a breakdown or accident after ignoring advisory notices given at their previous MOT.

Of the 1,460 respondents who had recently taken their car for an MOT, 44% received at least one advisory notice. These advisories act as precautionary alerts for potential faults that, if neglected, could lead to the vehicle failing its next MOT. Common examples include tyres nearing the legal tread limit, brake pads showing significant wear and minor oil leaks that could worsen over time.

Despite the risks, only 60% of those who received advisories said they had already fixed the problems or intended to do so before their next MOT. Alarmingly, nearly four in ten (39%) admitted they had no intention of addressing all the issues raised. Even among drivers who did not receive any advisories at their latest MOT, 22% confessed to having disregarded such warnings in the past.

Failing to act on advisories means some motorists are knowingly driving vehicles that may not be roadworthy. This could not only be hazardous but also carry legal consequences, such as a £2,500 fine and three penalty points. In some cases, insurance policies could be invalidated due to the condition of the car.

According to the RAC’s Mobile Mechanics survey, the most frequently reported advisories in the last year were related to worn tyres (42%), issues with brake components (34%), suspension problems (22%), faulty lights (16%) and signs of corrosion (14%). While checking tyres or light bulbs can often be done easily at home, many of the other issues require a professional to diagnose and repair before they escalate into more serious and expensive problems.

Of the drivers whose vehicles were handed advisory notices during their most recent MOT, just over a third (36%) arranged for the repairs to be carried out at the garage straight away. The remaining 64% opted to delay fixing the issues, with one in ten (11%) postponing the work for more than a month after their MOT.

Government figures show that in 2023, there were 1,350 reported road accidents where vehicle defects played a part – the highest number in five years. Of these, 36 incidents involved at least one fatality, marking the worst figures since 2018.

Nick Mullender, who leads the RAC’s mobile servicing and repairs team, commented: “The MOT is an annual occurrence for millions of drivers up and down the country and serves as a vital check on a vehicle’s roadworthiness. While we all dread a failure, any advisories demand attention because they mean the vehicle isn’t in the best of health. 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.”