MOT wording explained
MOT advisories and failures, in plain English
What the wording on an MOT certificate means, how often each entry turns up, and which models it is recorded on most. Built from the MOT histories of the 25,257 cars checked on this site. From the same records: average mileage by age and MOT pass rate by age.
Entries explained
50
more added in batches
Cars checked
25,257
with MOT history
Areas
12
tyres to electronics
Tyres7 entries explained
- Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edgeAdvisory12,757 cars · 51%
- Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishingAdvisory6,107 cars · 24%
- Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mmFail item2,971 cars · 12%
- Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cordsFail item1,812 cars · 7.2%
- Tyre has ply or cords exposedFail item1,652 cars · 6.5%
- Tyre has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cordsAdvisory1,478 cars · 5.9%
- Tyre has a bulge caused by separation or partial failure of its structureFail item1,327 cars · 5.3%
Brakes10 entries explained
- Brake pad(s) wearing thinAdvisory7,344 cars · 29%
- Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakenedAdvisory6,466 cars · 26%
- Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thickFail item2,184 cars · 8.6%
- Brake disc worn, but not excessivelyAdvisory2,040 cars · 8.1%
- Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other materialAdvisory1,703 cars · 6.7%
- Parking brake efficiency below requirementsFail item1,683 cars · 6.7%
- Service brake binding but not excessivelyAdvisory1,222 cars · 4.8%
- Brakes imbalanced across an axleFail item684 cars · 2.7%
- Service brake excessively bindingFail item666 cars · 2.6%
- Service brake fluctuating but not excessivelyAdvisory568 cars · 2.2%
Lighting8 entries explained
- Position lamp not workingFail item2,422 cars · 9.6%
- Headlamp aim too lowFail item2,018 cars · 8.0%
- Stop lamp not workingFail item1,895 cars · 7.5%
- Headlamp aim too highFail item1,886 cars · 7.5%
- Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sourcesMinor defect1,784 cars · 7.1%
- Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lampsFail item1,641 cars · 6.5%
- Headlamp not working on dipped beamFail item1,513 cars · 6.0%
- Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrectFail item860 cars · 3.4%
Suspension10 entries explained
- Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movementAdvisory2,955 cars · 12%
- Shock absorbers has light misting of oilAdvisory2,270 cars · 9.0%
- Coil spring corrodedAdvisory1,703 cars · 6.7%
- Coil spring fractured or brokenFail item1,697 cars · 6.7%
- Suspension arm ball joint excessively wornFail item993 cars · 3.9%
- Suspension arm ball joint has slight playAdvisory979 cars · 3.9%
- Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint has slight playAdvisory750 cars · 3.0%
- Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leakFail item747 cars · 3.0%
- Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirtFail item621 cars · 2.5%
- Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deterioratedMinor defect604 cars · 2.4%
Visibility4 entries explained
- Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectivelyFail item3,286 cars · 13%
- Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquidFail item2,520 cars · 10.0%
- Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's viewMinor defect1,539 cars · 6.1%
- Windscreen wiper blade defectiveMinor defect1,281 cars · 5.1%
Steering4 entries explained
- Play in steering rack jointAdvisory882 cars · 3.5%
- Track rod end ball joint has slight playAdvisory874 cars · 3.5%
- Track rod end ball joint has excessive playFail item798 cars · 3.2%
- Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated but preventing the ingress of dirtMinor defect546 cars · 2.2%
Engine1 entry explained
- Oil leak, but not excessiveAdvisory2,384 cars · 9.4%
Exhaust and emissions2 entries explained
- Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gasesAdvisory1,482 cars · 5.9%
- Exhaust lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limitsFail item517 cars · 2.0%
Registration plate1 entry explained
- Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misreadAdvisory1,350 cars · 5.3%
Electronics1 entry explained
- Engine MIL inoperative or indicates a malfunctionFail item999 cars · 4.0%
Corrosion1 entry explained
- Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakenedAdvisory947 cars · 3.7%
Drivetrain1 entry explained
- Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot severely deterioratedMinor defect728 cars · 2.9%
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See every advisory and failure on a car’s record in the free report, with repair costs estimated for that car.
Check a carCounts are of cars checked on this site, from official public records. Updated 22 Sept 2026 · figures as of 4 Oct 2026. See also what MOT advisories mean.