Common MOT failures for cars aged 4-7 years
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For reasons of safety, the UK government requires that all vehicles aged over 3 years old must be subjected to an MOT test every year. This test checks that the vehicle remains in a safe and roadworthy condition, advising owners if any work is needed or likely to be needed to keep it that way.
Vehicle manufacturers strive to produce cars that require minimal maintenance to keep them in tip top condition, but some cars aged only between 4 and 7 years old frequently fail their MOT in some simple areas. While it's great that they aren't suffering from major mechanical or electrical defects, the things that they do fail on are typically issues that their owners should have addressed sooner, so in this article, we will explain what these common MOT failures are and how to prevent them.
Most common MOT issues in a mid age car
1. Lights.
Bulbs are a common replacement item, and as cars are fitted with so many bulbs, it is not unusual for one to fail and for it to go unnoticed. The MOT test, however, requires that all external bulbs are fully functioning so owners should regularly check their headlights (both full and dip beams), brake lights, tail lights, indicators and number plate light to ensure that they are working, and replace any burnt out bulbs as soon as they are identified. By regularly checking your lights, you will also be able to pre-empt and resolve any issues such as water ingress, which could damage your electrical systems or cause fuses to blow prematurely.
2. Wiper blades.
Many newish cars fail their MOT because their wiper blades are worn or perished, meaning they do not adequately clear the windscreen and allow an unobstructed view of the road ahead. Wiper blades are a cheap commodity item that are easily replaced by a vehicle's owner, so if you think that yours aren't working as well as they should, it is recommended that you buy and fit replacements.
3. Tyres.
Tyres are designed to last upwards of 20,000 miles or up to 10 years, provided that they are well maintained but there are many factors that influence how quickly your tyres will wear or perish, including the amount of driving you do, the types of roads that you drive on, whether your car is properly maintained and your driving style. Because people expect their tyres to last for a long time, they often forget to check them, but this is when failures occur with bulges and cuts commonly caused by hitting kerbs or potholes, insufficient tread depth resulting from a higher than average annual mileage or even a slow puncture causing pressure to drop.
Your tyres should always have at least 1.6mm of tread and be free from bulges and cuts. You should check your tyre pressure at least monthly and top it up as needed. By keeping an eye on your tyres and replacing them at your local Protyre garage when necessary, they need not become an MOT failure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Provided the vehicle is maintained, annually serviced and consumable parts such as tyres, brakes, bulbs and wiper blades replaced as needed, an MOT failure is fairly unlikely.
You should select appropriate tyres for the type of car, the mileage that you do and the sorts of roads that you travel most often. We stock Pirelli, Bridgestone and many other leading brands. When you fit the right type of tyres, regularly check their tyre pressure and protect them from extreme temperatures they should last at least 20,000 miles or 5 years. You can explore our full range or speak to one of our tyre experts if you need help selecting the right tyres for your vehicle.
Although many vehicle manufacturers offer extended warranties of up to 7 years, they exclude responsibility for MOT failures unless those failures result from their negligence or a manufacturing defect that they had not addressed via a recall. The most common MOT failures for cars aged 4 to 7 years old are on consumable items, and it is the owner's responsibility to check and replace these items as necessary.