MOT Advisory Check: What To Do Next

The Motwatch mot advisory check helps UK motorists understand advisory notices recorded on their annual MOT test certificate. When a vehicle passes its MOT inspection with advisories, the MOT tester has noted items that passed but could become more serious. Left alone, they can turn into a fail at the next test or a breakdown.

The checker covers five common advisories: brake pads, tyre tread, suspension joints, oil leaks and exhaust corrosion. See what to do next for each advisory and a rough cost range, so minor advisories are dealt with before they become major defects.

It runs in your browser from the boxes you tick; it does not look up your car or its MOT record.

How to use the mot advisory check

1. Consult your official MOT pass certificate: Check the MOT certificate or the GOV.UK MOT history for listed advisories.
2. Select corresponding advisory categories: Check the boxes that match your vehicle’s advisories, such as worn brake pads, low tyre tread, or suspension play.
3. Review safety urgency classification: See whether each advisory is rated High, Medium or Low urgency.
4. Read the next step: each advisory shows what to do next and when to get it checked.
5. Inspect projected repair cost ranges: Review the rough cost range for each item; prices vary a lot, so get a quote.
6. Prioritize high-risk safety items: Schedule urgent replacement of braking and tyre components prior to undertaking high-speed motorway journeys.
7. Monitor secondary low-risk items: Set calendar reminders to check engine oil levels, fluid misting, or minor corrosion regularly.
8. Check impact on vehicle resale value: Understand how a heavy list of unresolved advisories can reduce buyer confidence and depreciate used car valuations.
9. Obtain competitive garage quotes: Request fixed-price quotations from multiple reputable local garages using the detailed advisory descriptions.
10. Retain repair invoices for future testing: Keep all replacement parts receipts in your vehicle history folder to prove defect rectification during subsequent MOT inspections.

Common MOT advisories

How to read an MOT advisory

An MOT advisory is a note from the tester that an item could become more serious in the future; GOV.UK says to monitor it and repair it if necessary. Unlike major or dangerous defects, an advisory does not stop the car passing, but the owner stays responsible for keeping it roadworthy. How fast a part wears depends on how and where the car is driven, so an advisory is a reason to get the part re-checked soon, not a fixed number of miles.

The Critical Danger of Overlooked Brake Pad Advisories

Brake pad thickness is a frequent subject of MOT advisory notices. Pads close to the limit are often noted as an advisory; less than 1.5mm of friction material is a major defect. Continuing to drive on pads with an advisory without scheduled replacement risks grinding the metal backing plate directly against the brake disc. This scores the discs, reduces braking performance and turns a pad replacement into a more expensive discs-and-pads job.

Tyre Tread Depth Advisories and Hydroplaning Hazards

While the legal minimum tyre tread depth across the UK and European Union is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre breadth, testers often note tyres that are close to the limit as an advisory. Wet-road stopping distances grow as tread wears, which is why many drivers replace tyres at around 3mm. Advisories for tyre wear should therefore be addressed prior to seasonal autumn and winter rains.

Suspension Bush Play and Ball Joint Deterioration

Suspension arms, anti-roll bar drop links, and ball joints utilize bonded rubber bushes to absorb road vibration and maintain steering alignment. Road salt, chemical de-icers, and UK pothole impacts cause rubber perish, cracking, and internal sleeve separation. An advisory for “slight play in suspension arm ball joint” means the joint has started to wear. Left unrectified, suspension play accelerates uneven tyre shoulder wear, compromises high-speed steering precision, and in extreme cases a worn joint can separate.

Frequently asked questions

Does an MOT advisory mean my car failed the test?

No. An advisory note means your vehicle passed the MOT test. However, the tester identified a component that is wearing out and will require repair or replacement in the near future.

Can I be fined by the police for driving with MOT advisories?

You cannot be fined solely for having an advisory on your certificate. However, if an advisory component degrades below legal limits while driving (such as a tyre wearing below 1.6mm), police can issue a £2,500 fine and 3 penalty points per defective tyre.

Do MOT advisories stay on my car’s permanent record?

Yes. All MOT passes, failures, and advisory notices are recorded by DVSA and can be seen by anyone with the registration on the free GOV.UK MOT history service (tests in England, Scotland and Wales).

How quickly should I fix an MOT advisory?

Get high-urgency items such as thin brake pads or worn tyres checked and fixed promptly, not at the next MOT. Low-urgency items like light oil misting or minor surface rust can be monitored at your next scheduled annual service.

Can a garage refuse to give me my car if it has advisories?

No. A testing station cannot detain your vehicle for advisory items or even for Major defects, as long as you do not drive a vehicle with Dangerous defects on public roads.

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