When you take your car for its MOT test, the examiner may issue advisory items alongside the pass or fail result. These are notes highlighting components that are worn, damaged, or close to becoming a reason for failure in future tests. Advisory items don’t make your car unroadworthy, but they act as warnings to fix issues before they worsen.

Why MOT Advisory Items Have Increased

Over the past few years, MOT testers have been reporting more advisory items. Several factors explain this rise:

• Older Cars on the Road: UK drivers are holding onto vehicles longer, meaning more wear and tear is picked up during MOTs.
• Stricter Testing Standards: Updated DVSA guidelines require testers to log advisory notes more thoroughly.
• Preventive Safety Approach: Testers prefer to alert drivers early rather than wait until faults escalate into dangerous or major failures.

This increase is ultimately positive for road safety, but it does place more responsibility on drivers to act.

What Drivers Should Do About Advisory Items

Ignoring advisories might save money in the short term, but it could lead to costly repairs, breakdowns, or even MOT failures later. Here’s how drivers can respond effectively:

• Prioritise Safety-Related Issues: If the advisory mentions brakes, tyres, or steering, treat it as urgent.
• Plan for Repairs: Use advisories to budget and schedule maintenance before the next MOT.
• Keep Records: Retain advisory notes for reference; they help when selling your car as they show transparency in maintenance.
• Regular Checks: Address advisories early by booking inspections with a trusted garage.

The Impact on Vehicle Owners

While advisory items don’t stop you from legally driving, they highlight future risks. A car with numerous advisories may have lower resale value and could be more expensive to maintain long term. Checking MOT history, including advisory notes, on Check MOT helps drivers and buyers make smarter decisions about a vehicle’s condition.

FAQs

Do MOT advisories need to be fixed immediately?

No, advisories are not legal requirements, but it’s strongly recommended to address them before they turn into failures.

Why has my MOT tester given more advisories this year?

Testing standards have become stricter, and cars are generally older, so testers are flagging more potential issues.

Will advisories make my car fail its MOT?

Not immediately, but if ignored, they can become dangerous faults that cause a failure in future tests.

Can I check past advisories online?

Yes, you can review your vehicle’s full MOT history, including advisories, at Check MOT.