The Independent Garage Association continues to campaign for an increase to the current MOT fee, which has now remained static since 2010, despite significant increases to garage overheads during this time. We take a closer look at the history of the MOT test and how it has evolved since its inception in 1960.
For more than six decades, the MOT test has played a fundamental role in keeping Britain’s roads safer. While safe driving, sensible road design and modern vehicle technology all contribute to reducing road casualties, the MOT provides something equally important: a regular, independent check that the vehicles we all rely on are meeting basic roadworthiness standards.
The Introduction of The MOT Test
The MOT test was first introduced in 1960, by the Ministry of Transport – which is where the test gets its abbreviated name from. In 1967, the age when a vehicle was required undergo an annual MOT test was amended to three years – a threshold that remains in place for most cars today.
The average age of a car on UK roads is currently around 10 years old, which is the oldest on record, and up from just 6.8 years in 2000. We also now have over 40 million vehicles on our roads in the UK, with the number of these that fail their MOT test currently standing at around 27%.
The MOT Test’s Classification System
The DVSA currently uses a classification system to grade defects discovered during an MOT test, which rank from:
- Minor defects – which have no significant effect on the safety of the vehicle or impact on the environment and other minor non-compliances. These don’t result in a failure but should be repaired soon.
- Major defects – which may prejudice the safety of the vehicle, have an impact on the environment, put other road users at risk or other more significant non-compliances. These pose an immediate risk to road safety and must be fixed before the vehicle can be driven again legally.
- Dangerous defects – which are a direct and immediate risk to road safety or having an impact on the environment. These also pose an immediate risk to road safety and must also be fixed before the vehicle can be driven again legally.
If a vehicle has only minor defects, it will pass its MOT inspection, and a test certificate will be issued. If a vehicle has any major or dangerous defects, it must be failed and a refusal notice issued.
These categories help motorists to prioritise repairs and appreciate the severity of different MOT failure points. The MOT test also allows for advisories which are issues that do not cause the vehicle to fail its MOT but may require attention in the future. They are intended to alert vehicle owners to components that are showing signs of wear or deterioration and may need to be repaired or replaced before the next MOT test.
Common reasons for failure
The most common reasons for a vehicle to fail its MOT test currently include lighting and signalling issues, suspension components defects, brake system failures, tyre condition and tread depth as well as issues with the drivers view of the road – all of these issues are critical to supporting the safety of both the driver, passenger and other road users.
The importance of these components is difficult to overstate. Tyres are the only point of contact between a vehicle and the road, so excessive wear or damage can reduce grip and compromise a driver’s ability to brake or maintain control. Brakes must work effectively and predictably to allow a driver to stop safely, while faults to lighting and electrical equipment are equally important: a defective headlamp, brake light or indicator can make a vehicle harder to see or prevent other road users from understanding a driver’s intentions.
The MOT test therefore acts as an important safety net, helping to ensure that potentially dangerous defects are identified and addressed before they have the opportunity to cause serious or catastrophic harm on UK roads.
Part of the UK Government’s Wider Road Safety Strategy
The MOT test is an important part of the government’s wider road safety strategy and whilst the test does not guarantee that a vehicle will remain fault-free for the coming 12 months, it does provide a vital annual snapshot of a vehicle’s road worthiness and an opportunity to identify problems that may otherwise go unnoticed. It does not replace regular servicing and maintenance, and vehicle owners are also encouraged to service their vehicle every 12 months and conduct regular maintenance throughout the year.
The effectiveness of the MOT scheme should also be viewed in terms of the sheer scale of the system. Approximately 35 million vehicle MOT tests took place last year alone, and the modern MOT system records whether vehicles pass or fail, as well as the specific defects and advisories identified. This creates an important record that helps motorists understand the condition of their vehicles and encourages problems to be repaired rather than ignored.
Ultimately, the MOT is about much more than meeting a legal requirement or obtaining a certificate. It is a practical intervention that helps identify roadworthiness problems, promotes routine maintenance and gives drivers an independent assessment of key safety systems.
Every time a dangerous or potentially dangerous defect is found and repaired, the benefits can extend far beyond the person behind the wheel. A roadworthy vehicle helps protect you, your family and friends, your passengers, pedestrians, cyclists and other motorists. In that sense, the MOT test is not simply a check on a vehicle – it is a cornerstone of collective road safety, helping to ensure that the vehicles sharing our roads are in a condition that is as safe as reasonably possible.
