Figures from the RAC show that ignoring the advisory notices – early warning signs that do not cause you to fail your MOT but do suggest there are issues that should be addressed – cause 17% of drivers to have issues later on.
Examples include tyres being close to the legal limit, brake pads being almost completely worn out, and minor oil leaks.
While more than a third of respondents to an RAC survey said they got the issues dealt with at the garage before they collected their cars, the remainder – 64% – delayed the necessary repairs, with one in 10 (11%) leaving it until more than a month after the MOT.
Nick Mullender, RAC mobile servicing and repairs team leader, said this “advisory apathy” is troubling and leads to accidents.
He said: “Advisories indicate the potential for the vehicle to become unroadworthy in a matter of months or even weeks, depending on the nature of the issue and how often the vehicle is driven.
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“It’s crucial that drivers keep a close eye on any flagged items. Some things are far easier for a driver to monitor than others. Regularly looking at tyres to ensure they have enough tread and are within the legal limits is straightforward enough. But even checking how much is left of a car’s brake pads can be tricky, let alone knowing when a minor oil leak could become much more serious.”
The most common issues
The RAC said the most common MOT advisories over the last year were tyre wear (42%), brake pads or discs (34%), suspension (22%), lights (16%) and corrosion (14%). While lights and tyres are simple to check, the rest are insidious and could get more expensive if left unresolved, Mullender said.
“Even checking how much is left of a car’s brake pads can be tricky, let alone knowing when a minor oil leak could become much more serious.
“We recommend drivers remove the guesswork altogether. Alongside frequent checks at home, it’s vital to get vehicles serviced at regular intervals, depending on what the manufacturer recommends. This allows any problems to be picked up early, reducing the chances of them becoming an MOT advisory or even a reason for failure further down the line,” he added.
