Seven common car problems that WON’T fail your MOT

WHEN the time for an MOT rolls around, drivers are often left fearing failure after being troubled by common car problems.

But although a motor may not pass its check-up for even minor issues, there are seven indiscretions you can get away with.

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An MOT is an annual test to make sure your vehicles, including motorbikes, meet legal safety standards.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps recently unveiled plans to extend the examinations to every two years in a bid to ease the cost of living.

It would mean motorists could save up to £55 each year if the validity of MOT certificates were extended.

Mechanics have to be a stickler for the rules and may fail your vehicle if the vehicle is not in proper working order.

But the RAC have compiled a handy list to ease Brits minds, revealing the common car issues that you can still scrape a pass with.

Worn brake pads

Brake pads are a crucial part of any car as they stand between you and a potential collision – but they wear out over time.

When the lining starts to disintegrate, it inevitably affects your braking power which can be extremely dangerous.

The average lifespan of a brake pad is between 25,000 – 60,000 miles – but unless the brake pads are worn below the minimum acceptable level of 1.5mm, you won’t actually get a fail.

As long as they haven’t dropped below the threshold, drivers are more likely to leave with an advisory warning.

The majority of mechanics recommend replacing pads if the friction material has worn down to a thickness of 3mm to be on the safe side.

Noisy gearbox

When you hear a rumble in the jungle from your car, it’s easy to think the worst and presume it will fail its MOT.

However, the intricate test does not investigate the condition of your gearbox, clutch, or engine – apart from the emissions they give off.

It means Brits dealing with a noisy gearbox can still pass their MOT – but need to head to a mechanic to get the source of the sound fixed.

Cars should run smoothly without any rumbling sounds – so it could be a sign there is a bigger problem at play.

Hole in the exhaust

A hole in the exhaust of your car can sound like a death sentence, but as long as it passes a number of tests you can still drive it away.

If there is a perforation in the system, it can allow the fumes to seep into the interior of your vehicle.

So in the case of a major leak or if part of the catalytic converter or diesel particulate filter is missing, it will not pass the MOT.

But minor leaks or corrosion will only be pointed out on an advisory note as a future problem and it could get through its check-up.

It is important to note that if there is a hole in the exhaust, you’ll need to work under the assumption that it will need a new one fitted soon.

Coolant leak

Sticking on the subject of leaks, if your coolant is spilling out it can spell big trouble for your motor.

The fluid is responsible for the cooling system of your car which regulates the temperature and without it, it can become damaged and break down.

But it turns out that if your experience a coolant or screen wash leak, you won’t be penalised for the issues in your MOT.

According to DVSA guidelines, it is only grounds for failure if the fluid leak creates a pool on the floor within five minutes that’s more than 75mm in diameter.

Another reason for failure is if there are several leaks that collectively spout fluid at the same rate.

Bumped bodywork

Most people are extremely dedicated to keeping their car looking tip-top cosmetically, but your bodywork can often become blemished.

Mechanics do give the exterior of the vehicle a once-over during an MOT, but they don’t punish drivers for minor lumps and bumps.

The bodywork may only pose an issue if there is excessive corrosion, sharp edges or damage to specific areas of the vehicle.

Therefore as long as your car is fully functioning despite its imperfections, you should be good to go.

A dent in your wing mirror or bumper will not get you a failure as long as the flaws are not deemed dangerous.

Cracked windscreen

A crack in your windscreen can prove quite an annoying and expensive inconvenience for drivers, but you can still scrape through your MOT with a small amount of damage.

Chips or cracks which are less than 10mm in the driver’s line of vision will be overlooked during your annual car check-up.

And any defects anywhere else on your windscreen that can be cleaned by the windscreen wipers are okay if it’s less than 40mm.

Brits should still get their chips repaired sooner rather than later as they can grow into a large crack.

Continuously changing the temperature of the glass could cause a distortion, while bumps or potholes in the road can also see tiny imperfections grow at any time.

Worn tyres

It is important for motorists to keep a close eye on the condition of their tyres, which allow you to keep a steady grip on the road.

The law states that cars, light vans and trailers must have at least 1.6mm of tread across the central three-quarters of the tyre and around the entire circumference.

Worn or under-inflated tyres reduce a vehicle’s ability to grip onto the road, in addition to compromising handling.

But as long as they are above the legal limit, your vehicle can pass its MOT – even if the wheels are fairly worn.

If you notice your tyre starting to bald, mechanics advised getting it replaced as soon as possible.

Ideally, they should be replaced at 3mm as a tyre’s braking performance significantly drops below this point.