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MOT failures are on the rise in 2025, raising real concerns about the safety of Britain’s cars. Many of these failures happen because drivers skip simple checks and basic maintenance. More cars are failing MOTs for avoidable reasons, making roads less safe for everyone.
If you own a car, this trend affects you directly. Forgetting basic tasks like checking tyres, lights, and fluid levels is a leading cause behind so many failures, costing not just money but also peace of mind. Learn what’s driving this increase in easily avoidable MOT failures and what you can do to help keep your vehicle safe and roadworthy.
Rising MOT Failure Rates in 2025
MOT failure rates are climbing in the UK, raising questions about the safety and roadworthiness of vehicles across the country. With more cars failing, issues around missed maintenance, new rules, and changing driver habits come to light.
Key Statistics and Recent Data
In 2024, nearly 10 million MOT tests ended in failure. This is about one in five tests—or 20% of all cars checked. According to the RAC Foundation, the number of easily avoidable failures has gone up by 133,000 in just four years.
Common reasons for failure include worn tyres, faulty lights, and issues with brakes. Over 2.5 million MOT failures were linked to simple checks like replacing bulbs and topping up fluids. Many of these could have been fixed before the test if drivers had done basic maintenance. Poor preparation means drivers are wasting millions of pounds on unnecessary repairs and repeat tests.
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has reported that avoidable MOT failures are on the rise. Car owners are losing money and putting themselves at risk by skipping easy, everyday checks that are crucial for passing.
Factors Behind Increased Failures
A mix of reasons is behind the increase in failed MOT tests. Forgetting basic checks is a major factor. Routine actions—like checking tyre pressure and ensuring lights work—are often ignored, leading to millions of avoidable failures each year.
Another factor is that many cars are staying on the road longer. Older vehicles are more likely to have safety issues and mechanical problems that make them fail the test.
Rule changes are also making an impact. For example, the Department for Transport and DVSA are considering new regulations: soon, a car with an unresolved recall may automatically fail the MOT.
The Role of the MOT Test in Vehicle Safety
The MOT test is set by the DVSA to make sure your car meets minimum safety standards. The test checks brakes, lights, tyres, and emissions, aiming to keep unsafe vehicles off UK roads.
If your car fails the MOT, it means it does not meet the safety standards required by law. This helps protect you, your passengers, and other road users.
The Department for Transport relies on the MOT system to maintain basic road safety and track trends in vehicle health. Without the MOT, many dangerous cars would stay in use, raising the risk of accidents and injuries. Regular testing ensures even small safety problems are found and fixed before they lead to bigger issues.
How Britain’s Cars Are Becoming Less Safe
Many cars in Britain face increased risks due to skipped maintenance and new technology that brings its own challenges. MOT failure numbers are rising, often for reasons owners can control.
Impact of Deferred Maintenance and Servicing
Putting off vehicle maintenance has become common as people try to save money. However, skipping regular checks on brakes, tyres, and lights increases the risk of breakdowns or accidents. You might think small problems can wait, but they tend to get worse over time.
According to recent reports, easily avoidable MOT failures have gone up in the last four years. Many of these failures are caused by worn-out tyres, faulty lights, and low brake fluid—issues that are simple to check and fix. Servicing businesses have seen drivers delaying even basic servicing, which only increases the risks on the road.
Here’s a quick list of the most common deferred items that lead to MOT failure:
- Worn tyres
- Failed bulbs
- Low brake fluid
- Wipers and washers not working
Routine maintenance keeps your car safe and helps you avoid sudden, costly repairs. Skipping checks on older diesel cars can also make emissions worse and cause legal problems for you.
Challenges with Newer Vehicle Technology
More vehicles now come with advanced driver assistance systems and electronic controls. These features are helpful, but they add complexity to MOT tests. Electric cars and hybrids have different needs too, including battery health and specialised electrical equipment.
Servicing businesses report that many owners don’t understand how to care for these advanced systems. For example, a fault in a safety system or a missed software update can cause your car to fail its MOT. There’s also talk of new MOT tests for electric cars, which could highlight more problems as their usage grows.
Some driver assistance systems can hide underlying wear, such as failing brakes, making it harder to spot issues until an MOT is due. Not keeping electronic and mechanical systems updated could mean you miss safety recalls or important fixes. Regular checks and informed servicing help keep both new and older vehicles safe.
Economic and Industry Pressures on Road Safety
Rising costs and tighter margins are impacting car owners’ decisions and the abilities of businesses to carry out vehicle checks. Financial strain in the automotive service sector plays a key role in maintaining safe vehicles on Britain’s roads.
Influence of Inflation and the MOT Fee Cap
Inflation has pushed the price of everything up, including parts and labour for car repairs. However, the MOT test fee cap has stayed the same for over a decade. This means many garages cannot charge more than the set maximum, even though their costs keep rising. If you’re looking to book a garage in your local area, it may be wise to compare online to get the best deal!
With the cost to operate a garage increasing and the MOT fee not rising in line with inflation, it becomes harder for businesses to invest in the latest tools, training, and staff. The recent government discussion about raising the MOT cap may affect your pocket as a driver, especially as drivers are already facing increased motoring expenses in 2025.
When prices stay too low, some businesses might cut corners to save money. This could include spending less on safety or maintenance, which can influence how well your vehicle is checked during an MOT test.
Strains on Small Auto Garages and Independent Garages
Small auto garages and independent repair shops form a large part of the British car servicing network. Many of these are local businesses with limited resources and thin profit margins.
With operating costs going up and the MOT test price fixed, these garages feel squeezed. They may struggle to pay skilled staff a fair wage or to afford up-to-date diagnostic machines. This can lead to longer waiting times, reduced service quality, or even business closures.
The Independent Garage Association and other groups have warned about these pressures. If you rely on a local independent, you might find it more difficult to get prompt, affordable MOTs or repairs in future, especially if smaller garages cannot keep up with the demand for safe, well-maintained vehicles.
Broader Implications for Motorists and the UK
Rising MOT failures can affect how much you pay for car insurance and the total cost of keeping your car on the road. Changes could also shape the way groups like the RAC and SMMT speak up for drivers and the motor industry, while influencing public transport and future road use across the UK.
Effects on Car Insurance and Ownership Costs
If more cars are failing the MOT, insurance companies might see this as a risk. Higher rates of mechanical faults can lead to increased accident claims, making you more likely to face higher car insurance premiums.
You may also have to spend more on car repairs and maintenance to pass your MOT. Frequent failures could mean extra costs year after year rather than just once every few years. The cost of ownership for older vehicles could rise, forcing many to consider newer cars, car-sharing, or even public transport.
Some drivers might try to avoid these costs by delaying repairs or using illegal ‘ghost MOTs’. This is risky and can lead to serious penalties if caught during a roadside check or accident investigation.
The Role of RAC and SMMT in Advocacy
The RAC plays a key part in explaining new MOT rules and changes to safety standards to drivers. The RAC also offers advice to help you prepare your vehicle so it is less likely to fail.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) represents industry interests and often shares data on failure trends, modern vehicle safety, and the need for updates to MOT tests. When rules change, these organisations raise concerns on your behalf, for example, about the timing of the first MOT or the strictness of failure points.
Both groups use their voices to influence government decisions that keep UK roads safer and motoring costs fair for all.
Policy, Public Transport, and Future Trends
When MOT failure rates go up, lawmakers might push for tighter MOT policies or more support for public transport. If older cars become more expensive to maintain and insure because they are more likely to fail, some may leave driving altogether, especially in cities with good transport links.
This may increase demand for buses and trains, especially for those who drive fewer miles each year. It could also shape future policies about low-mileage cars or offer tax incentives to switch to newer, safer vehicles.
As more cars get tested and fail, there could be stronger pushes for new vehicle technology, stricter checks on used cars, and even changes in how road safety is measured in the UK.
