One in five cars failed an MOT test amid ‘major’ problem found in millions of vehicles

MOTs assess various vehicle components, including lights, seatbelts, tyres and brakes, to ensure they meet legal standards.

Vehicles can be failed if inspectors find a "dangerous" or "major" problem, but recent stats revealed that some vehicles exhibited an alarming number of faults, with 30 failing at least one test due to 24 or more issues.

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One particularly concerning case involved a 1997 Daihatsu Fourtrak, which had 29 "dangerous" or "major" faults.

These figures highlight the importance of regular vehicle maintenance to help ensure road safety across Britain.

Some of the more unusual reasons for failing an MOT included a missing nearside front brake disc in 31 tests, a steering lock inadvertently engaging in 64 tests, and the spare wheel being likely to become detached in 186 tests.

The maximum fee for an MOT is £54.85 for a car, with additional charges for repairs, according to the RAC Foundation. Most cars in Britain undergo their first MOT after three years on the road, followed by annual tests until they reach 40 years old.

In January 2023, the Conservative Government launched a consultation on delaying the first MOT requirement for new vehicles to four years.

However, 12 months later, then-Roads Minister Guy Opperman announced that MOT timings would remain unchanged due to safety concerns raised by drivers and industry responses.

RAC Foundation director Steve Gooding said: “Vehicles can fail an MOT for more than 600 different reasons.

“Some of these might well be difficult for owners to spot ahead of time but what's concerning is that drivers are taking cars for a test with such obvious defects as missing brakes."

He added: "This should be food for thought for those who suggest we don't need an annual roadworthiness check.

"What's really worrying is how many people might be taking a chance by continuing to drive cars with potentially lethal faults just because their next MOT isn't yet due."

The MOT failure rates reveal significant road safety concerns across Britain. With nearly 10 million vehicles failing their tests in 2023, questions rose about the overall condition of the nation's cars.

RAC Foundation director Steve Gooding commented on the variety of reasons for MOT failures, stating: "Vehicles can fail an MOT for more than 600 different reasons."

He also expressed concern about drivers presenting cars with obvious defects, such as missing brakes.

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While a dirty car alone isn't likely to cause an MOT failure, excessive grime could hinder the inspection.

Jessica Potts from BookMyGarage, warned: "While it's likely that your car will fail just because its dirty; excessive grime and debris could hinder the tester's ability to perform the inspection and therefore they could refuse to carry it out."

She added that keeping a car clean is part of ensuring it's safe to drive. Experts at BookMyGarage warned that neglecting car cleanliness can lead to costly repairs.

Regular cleaning is considered an essential part of vehicle maintenance. Accumulated dirt can act like sandpaper, eroding surfaces over time.