How to avoid common MoT fails

Do any other three letters strike more fear into the hearts of classic car owners than ‘M’, ‘O’, and ‘T’? For some, the MoT is the dreaded annual check that comes with the worry of a failure that spells considerable expenditure to put right and see your car back on the road. Yet, the vast majority of classic cars are maintained to a very high standard, used sparingly and with consideration for their age, and checked over more often than most new cars. 

Most common MoT issues

Despite this, the fail rate for classic cars submitted for an MoT runs at around one in five. That’s still a lot lower than for modern cars, where it’s around 30% of cars that fail the yearly test. However, the most common causes of a fail are the same regardless of the car’s age, with lights accounting for around a fifth of all non-passes. Suspension is the second most common fail point – usually because of worn bushes, a broken spring, or leaking shock absorber – while brakes come in at number three on the fail list. Between these three points, they account for around 40% of all MoT fails. 

To MoT, or not to MoT?

With classic cars that are 40-years old or more, there is a simple way to avoid the stress of an MoT and the ignominy of a fail: simply make your car MoT exempt. It sounds like an easy option, but don’t forget you still have a duty to maintain your car in a safe condition, and there are tough penalties for anyone driving a car in an unroadworthy state.  

There is also the concern among many classic owners that the lack of an annual test can lead to critical safety items being left unchecked or problems going unnoticed. It’s why many owners continue to submit their car for an MoT every year even when it’s not a legal requirement. 

Passing an MoT

Whether your car needs an MoT by law or not, there are ways to make sure it sails through with a clean sheet, and this will also free you from the nerves associated with the MoT tester’s beady eye. Simply put, staying on top of routine maintenance is the absolute key. If a job needs doing, get it done, and never ignore the servicing schedule.  

With classic cars, this is almost always more labour intensive and comes round sooner than with new cars. Even if you don’t cover many miles in a year in your classic car, make sure the oil is changed annually, coolant topped up, and other fluids for the brakes, transmission, and differential are all checked, adjusted and changed when they should be. While some of these points might not be an MoT failure, they get you into the bones of your car where you will easily spot other potential fails like a worn or crusty brake pipe or handbrake cables that might be hanging loose. Preventative maintenance is always better than the cure, and cheaper. 

Easy MoT checks

Looking at the list of most common MoT fail points, checking your car’s lights and electrics prior to a test is a simple, effective way to fend of any worries. You should start by making sure the battery is fully charged, and holding a charge so it’s not going flat over time. It doesn’t take long to be sure headlights, sidelights, fogs, reversing light, and indicators are all in functioning order. If not, the most likely causes are a blown bulb or a poor earth – both easily solved at home. This is also the time to inspect the lights for any cracks in the lenses or deterioration in the silvered backing of the light. It can be tricker to know of the lights are pointing in exactly the right direction, but most garages can align these for you before the car goes for its MoT test. 

Problems with suspension might sound like a more involved issue to inspect for before an MoT. However, the chances are you will know your classic’s traits and driving manner very well from experience, so spotting a problem when it happens is common. If there are any clonks as you drive along or turn the steering, it’s almost certain to be a worn bush allowing excessive play. Look for any rubbers that appear split or damaged.  

Changing these bushes is well within the scope of the home mechanic on most classic cars, so it’s worth spending a bit of time on this to save some cash and ensure an easy MoT pass. A broken spring or leaky shock is also usually a simple fix, though a good classic-friendly garage will sort either if you don’t fancy the job yourself. 

Of all the issues that can occur to bring about an MoT fail, brakes are perhaps the most critical. They can also be a harder spot if something has weakened in the system as the brake on one wheel can be ineffective yet the others are still pulling the car up promptly. If you can hear any noises or feel an imbalance, the brakes are overdue a good inspection. Many owners will be happy to tackle this at home and swapping brake drum shoes or disc pads is a simple task. It’s also straightforward in most cars to change the drums or discs, or even the calipers. A close look at the brake lines, cables, and fluid is also an easy win ahead of the MoT. 

Other common MoT fail points include tyres, chipped windscreens, worn wipers, and ineffective windscreen washers. All of these are a doddle to check at home and resolve any problems. All of these points are also something you should be looking for on a weekly or monthly basis as part of keeping on top of routine maintenance and preserving your classic car in perfect working order. 

As well as giving you the peace of mind that your classic is in good shape and fit to pass an MoT inspection, maintaining it fully means it will always be on the button when you want to head out for a drive. And that’s what classic car ownership is all about.