An MOT failure sheet can look alarming, but most failures come down to a handful of routine repairs. NRH Autoworks carries out pre-MOT checks and repairs for MOT failures and advisories at our garage on Windsor Road in Bray, for drivers from Maidenhead and the surrounding area.
To be clear, this page is about preparing cars for the test and repairing them afterwards. The MOT test itself is carried out at an authorised testing station. Enter your registration, tell us the failure or advisory items listed on your certificate, and we'll get back to you by phone or email.
What we can help with
- Pre-MOT checks of common failure items
- Repairs for MOT failure items
- Attention to MOT advisories
- Lights, wipers, tyres and brakes
- Suspension, steering and exhaust repairs
- Clear advice on what is essential and what can wait
When this is useful
- Your car has failed its MOT and needs repairs before a retest
- Last year's certificate listed advisories you never dealt with
- The MOT is due soon and a warning light is on
- You can hear a knock, a blowing exhaust or noisy brakes
- Tyres are looking worn ahead of the test
- You'd rather find problems before the test than during it
Checking the car before its MOT
A large share of MOT failures are for simple things: blown bulbs, worn wiper blades, tyres below the limit, an empty washer bottle. Others (worn brake components, play in suspension joints, corroded brake pipes, a leaking exhaust) aren't visible without getting under the car. A pre-MOT check looks over the items that commonly cause failures, so that anything needing attention can be sorted out beforehand.
Repairing an MOT failure
If the car has already failed, the refusal certificate lists each defect along with its category. Dangerous and major defects must be repaired before the car can pass; advisories are items to keep an eye on. Send us the wording from the certificate, or a photo of it, with your enquiry. That lets us see exactly what the tester found, and we'll advise on the repairs once we've inspected the car ourselves.
One point to be aware of: if a defect is recorded as dangerous, the car shouldn't be driven on the road at all until it has been repaired. If that applies to you, tell us in your enquiry and we'll advise on the best way forward before the car is moved.
Advisories are worth acting on
Advisories don't stop a car passing, which is why they're often forgotten until they become next year's failure. They're effectively an early warning: a tyre approaching the limit, brake pads wearing thin, light corrosion, slight play in a joint. Dealing with them at a time that suits you is generally easier than being caught out at the next test.
MOT Preparation & Repairs: common questions
Do you carry out MOT tests?
This page covers preparation and repair work only: checking cars before their MOT and repairing failure and advisory items afterwards. The MOT test itself has to be carried out at an authorised MOT testing station. If you have any questions about arranging the test, ask us when you enquire.
My car failed its MOT. What should I send you?
Enter your registration on the enquiry form and list the failure items exactly as they appear on the refusal certificate, or upload a photo of it. That tells us what the tester found. We'll get back to you by phone or email to discuss the repairs and arrange to inspect the car.
Can I drive my car after it has failed its MOT?
If your previous MOT certificate is still valid and no dangerous defects were recorded, you can generally still drive it, though the car must be roadworthy. If the old MOT has expired or a dangerous defect is listed, you shouldn't drive it other than as the law specifically permits. Check the official guidance on GOV.UK if unsure.
What are the most common reasons for failing an MOT?
Lighting faults, worn or damaged tyres, brake wear, suspension components with excessive play, and problems with the driver's view of the road such as wiper blades and windscreen damage. Many of these can be spotted and put right ahead of the test.