MOT advisory vs failure: what is the difference?
Not every mark on an MOT stops you driving. Here is what the DVSA fault categories mean and which ones you must act on.
What is the difference between an MOT advisory and a failure?
A failure (a Major or Dangerous defect) means the car does not meet the legal standard and cannot be used on the road until it is repaired and passes a retest. An advisory (or a Minor defect) is a note that something is wearing or was near the limit; the car still passes, but you should keep an eye on it and plan a repair. The tester grades every defect into one of these categories.
| Result | What it means | Can you drive? |
|---|---|---|
| Dangerous | A direct and immediate risk to safety or the environment | No, do not drive |
| Major | Could affect safety or the environment; a fail | No, until repaired and retested |
| Minor | No effect on safety; note it and repair as soon as practical | Yes, it still passes |
| Advisory | Something to monitor that may need attention in future | Yes, it still passes |
| Pass | Meets the standard on the day of the test | Yes |
Do you have to fix an advisory?
Not immediately, and an advisory does not stop your car passing. But an advisory is an early warning: a tyre near the limit or a lightly corroded brake pipe will usually become a failure at the next test, and could become dangerous sooner. Treat advisories as a to-do list rather than ignoring them.
What next
See what your model fails on, and what each failure means.
Sources: MOT inspection manual: cars and passenger vehicles, DVSA ยท Getting an MOT, gov.uk