What Happens If My Car Fails Its MOT?

Roughly one in three cars fail their MOT first time in the UK. If yours is among them, do not panic — a failure is not the end of the road. It is a clear list of what needs fixing to meet legal safety standards. Here is exactly what happens next and how Pickwell Autohub helps Reading drivers through the process.

Understanding your MOT result

Your MOT certificate will list failures (items that must be repaired before the car is road legal) and advisories (items that pass now but may need attention soon). Failures are categorised as dangerous, major, or minor under the current system. Dangerous and major defects mean an automatic fail.

Can you still drive a failed car?

If your previous MOT was still valid at the time of the test, you can legally drive the car to a garage for repairs, provided the vehicle is not rated as dangerous. If the old MOT has expired, you must not drive on public roads except directly to a pre-booked repair appointment. When in doubt, ask our team — we will advise based on your specific failure notice.

Getting repairs done

At Pickwell Autohub we provide a clear breakdown of every failure and advisory, with a competitive quote before work begins. Common failures include brakes at /services/brake-repairs, tyres at /services/tyres, lights, and emissions issues diagnosed at /services/diagnostics. We use quality parts and never pressure you into unnecessary extras.

Free retest within ten working days

If we carry out the remedial repairs following your MOT failure at /services/mot-testing, you receive a free retest within ten working days. This saves the cost and inconvenience of booking a separate MOT elsewhere. Most repairs — bulbs, wiper blades, brake pads — can be completed the same day.

What if you disagree with the result?

You can appeal within 14 days by completing form VT17 from the DVSA. The vehicle must not be modified before the appeal inspection. In practice, most failures are straightforward safety items, and our testers are happy to show you exactly what they found during the inspection.

Preventing future failures

A pre-MOT check catches common issues before the official test. Regular servicing at /services/full-service keeps brakes, tyres, fluids, and emissions components in good condition. Read our guide on how to prepare your car for its MOT for a DIY checklist.

Book your retest in Reading

Pickwell Autohub offers MOT testing at Pickwell Motor, 173 Cardiff Rd RG1 8HD, and Joys Motor, 12 Long Barn Ln RG2 7SZ. Failed elsewhere? We can repair and retest. Book at /booking or call +44 (0) 7828112600.