It’s an annual day of angst. Dropped off first thing, then you face hours of worry, waiting for any kind of message, any hint, about how things have gone. Fingers get drummed, sighs are regular, you pace. No we’re not talking about your child’s first day at school – we’re on about your car’s annual MoT test. Now THAT is stressful.
And then you get the call. It’s passed, so you can pick it up, grabbing the paperwork as you do so. But that paperwork shows a couple of what are known as “advisories”. Well, you can ignore those, can’t you. They’re nothing important. After all, people have been offering you advice throughout your life, and you’ve managed to ignore most of it.
Well, on this occasion you shouldn’t. Advisories on the MoT certificate may seem unimportant, but in fact they’re usually indicative of something starting to go wrong. And on cars, things that are starting to go wrong never get better by themselves.
What can cause an advisory?
There’s no set list of items that will cause an advisory, because every car is different, every car has had a different life, and a different level of care. But while an MoT tester has a set list of components they must test for a car to pass an MoT test, they also keep their eye out for any emerging issues.
So, your car could receive an advisory for a tyre that’s perfectly legal but which is low enough on tread that it will need to be replaced within weeks. Similarly, windscreen wiper blades that work well enough to pass the test, but which are showing signs of perforation will also be given an advisory.
The tester might notice early signs of bodywork corrosion, or perhaps rust on the exhaust system. Brake pads that are starting to get low will also be highlighted, as will minor leaks.
You can see your vehicle’s MoT history here on the Gov.uk Check MoT history website.
Can you ignore advisories?
Legally? Yes you can. An advisory is just that – advice. It isn’t mandatory that you get it fixed.
However, as I’ve already mentioned, car issues never get better without intervention, so every time you take the car out the problem highlighted by the advisory note will only get worse. It’ll be a niggling thing at the back of your mind every time you start the car, every time you hear a new rattle, and every time you suddenly need to take avoiding action. If someone steps out in front of you on a rainy day, you’ll wish your screen hadn’t been blurred by a duff wiper blade, and that the tyres had a bit more tread on them. And if your brakes fail, well that’s not worth thinking about.
Remember, too, that if something bad happens and the authorities become aware of your decision to skip fixing the advisories, then you could end up in hot water.
How to avoid the problem
There’s a very easy way to avoid the problem in the first place. Go through your car with a fine-tooth comb in advance of the test, and make sure everything is just-so.
Your vehicle’s Haynes manual will help you to identify and diagnose any issues you come across, as will Haynes Autofix. Tyre low on tread? Get it replaced. Small leak? Replace the offending hose. Dodgy wiper blade? That’s an easy fix that takes about a minute. Spend the time now, and you’ll avoid the whole contentious issue of advisories.
And if you disagree?
MoT testers are conscientious and careful about how they go about their job, because they are concerned with the safety of everyone on the road.
However, if you disagree with the results of your MoT test, then there are things you can do about it, such as appealing to the DVSA.
Everything you need to know about what to do when you disagree with the result of an MoT test is here. However, why not simply avoid all the grief in the first place, and make sure your car is absolutely fit and ready for the examination beforehand.
