The car accessories and other unusual reasons you could fail your MOT
You might think that the only way to fail an MOT is wear and tear on your car, but did you know some popular accessories could lead to a fail?
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Almost 20% of all cars fail their yearly MOT because of an issue with their lighting and signalling. This could include anything from a blown bulb to faulty indicators that don’t flash as they should.
Other common reasons vehicles fail their test are problems with their suspension, brakes and tyres, as they can put you and your fellow road users at risk of serious accidents.
But, while most motorists are aware of typical MOT failures, plenty of other unusual things can make your car unroadworthy.
We've listed a few accessories and components that can lead to an unsuccessful MOT if not installed and looked after properly.
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Air fresheners
Air fresheners are one of the most popular accessories that can get your car into trouble at the MOT station.
Sam Sheehan, our motoring editor, said: “Air fresheners are one of the most popular car accessories with drivers. However, adding a pleasant fragrance to your used BMW or used VW’s interior may cause a few problems, including a possible failed MOT.
“If not placed correctly, air fresheners can obstruct the driver’s view and interfere with the functionality of the airbags in the event of an accident.
“Motorists should always have a clear view of the road ahead, so dangling this perfumed accessory from your windscreen or rear-view mirror can hinder your visibility.
“To keep yourself safe en-route and improve your chances of success at the next MOT, mount your air freshener where it’s out of your vision, whether on the car’s dash tray or middle air vent.”
Horns
Car horns are a crucial safety feature, alerting fellow drivers and pedestrians to your presence and whereabouts.
This means that your horn must always work properly and emit an appropriate warning sound as you cruise around town. If not, you’re likely to receive a failed MOT certificate.
Laws about car horns in the UK are clearly defined - they must produce a uniform sound that can be heard from afar without deafening or disturbing other road users. Specifically, The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 states that no car must be equipped with a gong, bell, siren or two-tone horn.
So, if the sound of your horn doesn’t meet the right requirements, your vehicle will fail its MOT.
Window stickers
Window stickers are a common method of personalising your vehicle and show off your true self to others on the road.
In some instances, window stickers might also notify other motorists about important information, helping them adapt their driving style accordingly.
For example, if you’re travelling with little passengers in the back seat, a ‘baby on board’ sticker can encourage drivers behind you to be more considerate at the wheel.
While you’re allowed to have a car sticker on display, it mustn’t interfere with your line of vision.
Having window stickers that are too large or not placed in a neutral spot can lead to an MOT failure.
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Registration plates
Registration plates can also make or break whether your car will pass or fail its MOT.
As a fundamental component of your vehicle, obscured, cracked, and partially visible plates are understandably a one-way ticket to a failed MOT. However, many other factors can get your car on the naughty list.
If your registration plate is old, it might need replacing ahead of your MOT as it may have become loose over time. Unsecured plates can unscrew and fly off as you drive, putting other road users at risk of injuries or incidents.
Likewise, if you have a personalised registration plate, ensure all digits are evenly spaced and written in the standard font. If not, they might not be able to be picked up by speed cameras and fellow drivers, which are both good reasons for the MOT station to fail your vehicle.
Messy car
If you’re not a clean car owner, you may want to consider tweaking your habits. If your car is exceptionally dirty, the MOT technicians might refuse to inspect it.
As for the interior, bin any bottles, takeaway boxes or other rubbish that might clutter your cabin and even roll under your pedals. As well as being distracting and potentially dangerous, having a messy car can fail you on the spot and land you a £100 fine if caught by a police officer while on the road.
Equally, if the exterior is mucky enough to affect the visibility of your lights and registration plates, you can also expect bad news.
So, wash and clean your car regularly to avoid unwanted surprises both on the road and at the MOT station.
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Nervous about your next MOT? With a few tips up your sleeve about unusual MOT failures, you can ensure your vehicle is as roadworthy as can be and get back to your daily rides in no time.