Don’t Ignore MOT Advisories – It Could Cost You More Than You Think

At Fox Garage, we see first-hand how important it is to stay on top of MOT advisories — and recent data shows just how risky it can be to ignore them.

According to a survey commissioned by the RAC, 17% of drivers who fail to act on MOT advisory notes experience a vehicle breakdown or accident as a direct result. MOT tests are designed to ensure vehicles meet minimum safety standards, covering components such as brakes, tyres, lights and seatbelts. But even when a vehicle passes, advisories may highlight problems that aren’t serious enough to fail the test — yet.

Issues like tyres nearing the legal tread limit, worn brake pads, or small oil leaks might seem minor, but they often deteriorate rapidly if left unchecked. Worryingly, of the 1,460 drivers surveyed who had received advisories in the past year, more than half (54%) didn’t follow up on them.

As RAC’s Nick Mullender warns, “Advisories indicate the potential for the vehicle to become unroadworthy in a matter of months or even weeks, depending on how often it’s driven.”

Backing this up, Department for Transport statistics reveal that in 2023, 39 people died and 1,865 were injured in road accidents where vehicle defects played a role — the highest total since 2018.

At Fox Garage, we always recommend addressing advisories as soon as possible. A simple service or inspection can save you money, prevent breakdowns, and keep you safer on the road.

_Source: _MSN News / Evening Standard – “Drivers warned over MOT advisory apathy”