Why MOT Compliance Matters for Businesses

For businesses that operate company cars or manage a fleet of vehicles, MOT compliance isn’t just a legal requirement – it’s essential for safety, productivity, and reputation. A failed MOT can take vehicles off the road, disrupt operations, and expose a business to legal and financial risks. Handling MOT failures quickly and effectively is a key responsibility for employers and fleet managers.

Common Reasons Company Cars Fail MOTs

Just like private cars, company vehicles can fail their MOTs for a variety of reasons. The most common include:

• Worn tyres with insufficient tread depth.
• Faulty brakes or brake imbalance.
• Issues with lights or indicators.
• Exhaust and emissions failures.
• Windscreen damage or poor wiper performance.

Fleet vehicles may be more prone to these issues due to higher mileage and frequent use.

Responsibilities of Employers and Fleet Managers

The legal responsibility for ensuring company cars and fleet vehicles have valid MOT certificates typically falls on the employer or fleet manager. They must:

• Keep accurate records of MOT due dates.
• Schedule tests in advance to avoid lapses.
• Ensure vehicles taken off the road after a failure are not driven until repaired and retested.
• Maintain vehicles with regular servicing to reduce the risk of MOT failures.

Failing to comply can result in fines, invalidated insurance, and reputational damage.

Steps to Take After an MOT Failure

If a company car or fleet vehicle fails its MOT, fleet managers should act quickly:

1. Review the failure report – Identify whether the issues are major or dangerous.
2. Arrange repairs immediately – Book the vehicle in with a trusted garage or fleet maintenance provider.
3. Keep vehicles off the road – Dangerous faults mean the vehicle must not be driven until repaired.
4. Book a retest – Most garages offer a free or reduced-cost retest within 10 working days.
5. Update records – Record the failure, repairs, and new MOT certificate for compliance tracking.

Best Practices for Preventing MOT Failures

Prevention is always better than cure, especially for fleets. Some effective strategies include:

• Pre-MOT checks: Drivers or maintenance staff should check tyres, lights, wipers, and fluid levels before the MOT.
• Regular servicing: Sticking to a servicing schedule reduces the chance of unexpected failures.
• Driver reporting systems: Encourage drivers to report faults early.
• Fleet management software: Use digital tools to track MOT due dates, servicing, and repairs.

These practices not only reduce MOT failures but also improve road safety and vehicle longevity.

Final Thoughts

MOT failures on company cars and fleet vehicles can be disruptive, but with proper management and preventative strategies, they don’t have to become a major issue. By taking responsibility, maintaining vehicles proactively, and acting quickly when failures occur, businesses can keep their fleets compliant, safe, and on the road.