MOT Advisory Notes Explained
At the end of your MOT test you will be told that your vehicle has either passed or failed. Even if it does pass, because an MOT is a test for basic ‘road-worthiness’, the tester may have identified a number of issues that may need fixing soon but are not serious enough to cause the vehicle to fail its MOT. These notes should be taken seriously so that you can do something about them as soon as you can (and prior to the next MOT).
Common Advisory Notes
Your tester can issue advisory notes with regards any of the 22 points of the MOT test. Therefore, you could find such a note about your exhaust, steering and suspension, brakes or even your doors/windows. As your vehicle becomes older, it is likely that your report will contain more advisory notes. This is usually because of general wear and tear to your vehicle - in particular, to exhaust and brakes, bodywork, and tyres.
Over 30 million advisory notes are issued as part of MOT tests every year.
There are four main types MOT advisory notes that tend to be issued. These are:
Corrosion: this will often be noted, although its progression is difficult to assess. As a result, the note will often be something generic providing evidence of the current situation and a recommendation keep an eye on it over the next year.
Inspection difficulties: this note refers to anything that creates problems with inspecting an MOT testable component.
Degree of wear: this kind of note is used if an element has only just passed the required standard. It usually applies to elements such as disc pad thickness, steering/suspension joints, etc. One of the most common advisory notes given in this category concerns tyres. This is because there is a legal limit on the tread depth, and there is a chance that the existing tyres may erode beneath that limit before the next MOT is due. The advisory note will probably be a recommendation that your tyres are changed in the near future.
Non-Testable Items: this type of note refers to any problem that has been spotted but is not covered by the MOT, such as small dents on the doors or bonnet.
What Action Is Required?
There is no legal obligation to take any action based on the MOT advisory notes, but it would be unwise to ignore them. It is recommended that you talk to the person who carried out the test and made the notes to establish a timeline for repairs.
Every vehicle needs to pass its MOT annually to be considered ‘roadworthy’. Drivers can be fined up to £1000 for driving a vehicle that does not have a valid MOT. MOT rules changed in May of this year to include new defect types, stricter emission rules and exempting some older vehicles. The MOT certificate has changed, but the maximum fee that can be charged for an MOT remains the same (£54.85 for a car, £29.65 for a motorcycle).
Always take your vehicle to a DVSA-authorised MOT testing centre such as your local Protyre garage.
Do Protyre offer MOTs for Motorcycles?
Yes we do! Protyre offer Motorcycle MOTs at a number of our garages. Click the button below and fill out the form to book your Motorcycle in at one of our 2 Wheel Centres:
How do I find out when my MOT is due?
Well at Protyre we like to make things simple. Use our MOT Checker below to find your vehicle's MOT due date and book it in at one of of many DVSA authorised MOT testing centres.
Protyre offer MOTs at many garages within our UK network
Click the banner below to book your vehicle in today: