What Happens If Your Car Fails Its MOT After a Recent Service?

The drivers of many cars in the UK believe that by servicing their cars, they can sail through the MOT test. This is not, however, always the case, and sometimes it can be frustrating and confusing to discover that a vehicle has failed its MOT soon after car servicing. It is possible to understand why this occurs and what to do next, which will make motorists handle this common situation more easily.

Why a Car Might Fail Its MOT After Being Serviced?

A failed MOT test on a newly serviced car can be attributed to some reasons. These reasons can be understood to reduce confusion and frustration.

To begin with, the mechanics performing car servicing may not pay attention to the same parts as those inspected during an MOT. For example, a service may involve replacing spark plugs or checking the battery, while an MOT examiner will check the thickness of brake pads or damage to the windscreen. These do not necessarily mean the same checks.

Secondly, some problems might arise between the service and the MOT test. Although the car may have been serviced a few weeks before the MOT, new issues may emerge. A bulb may fail, a tyre may be damaged due to a pothole, or a wiper blade may be ripped. These are normal MOT failures that may take place at any time.

Thirdly, not every service is comprehensive. A major service is very different from a basic service. A basic service normally includes routine maintenance procedures and might not include a complete inspection of each of the parts that the MOT will examine. Problems can be left undetected unless the garage inspects the related items required for the MOT.

And lastly, various standards are used. A mechanic, when servicing a car, may realise that the brake pads are getting worn and they have some life left before needing replacement. Nevertheless, the MOT is also very strict about measurements, and the same brake pads may not pass the test due to failure to meet the legal minimum thickness of brake pads.

What to Do If This Happens?

Finding an MOT failure following recent servicing on a car may be a frustrating experience, but there are practical steps that can be taken. Reading the MOT failure certificate is the initial step. This document lists the specific items that have failed and the reasons. The causes tend to be simple, i.e., faulty tyres, faulty lights, or excessive emissions.

Secondly, it would be a good idea to talk to the garage that has conducted the service. Although they do not cause MOT failures, they will desire to have a good customer relationship and protect their reputation. They might be in a position to give an explanation as to why some of the problems were not detected during the service or give recommendations on how to resolve the issues at a lower cost.

Other garages also offer a pre-MOT inspection, as one of the Car Servicing Ferndown offers. In the event that this is part of the service and such things that could have been noticed have been overlooked, then it might be worth speaking to the garage about this. Nevertheless, when a pre-MOT check was not included in the service contract, the garage cannot be blamed for the MOT failures.

Repairs will be required on the vehicle to correct the points of failure, and then the vehicle can be retested. The positive thing is that there are different options available to motorists. They may go back to the original garage, have the car taken to the MOT testing centre in case they make some repairs on it, or go to another garage. It will be reasonable to compare the quotes on the repair work since they can be different.

When the car is retested within ten working days at the same test centre, then it is just necessary to recheck the failed items only, and the retest is free in case of some types of failure. This can save time and money.

Preventing This Situation in the Future

Although MOT failures cannot always be avoided, drivers can perform certain actions that can help minimise the risks of problems happening soon after their cars are serviced.

One of the options is to reserve the service and MOT at the same time or close together. Combination packages are available in many garages, with both being performed during the same day or within a few days of each other. This implies that any problems that are detected in the course of the service can be rectified prior to the MOT Ferndown test, and hence, there are fewer chances of failing.

The other solution is to explicitly ask about a pre-MOT check during a car servicing booking. This kind of check is focused on the things the MOT will inspect, and this provides motorists with a clue about what issues they might have. The problems can then be rectified before the actual testing.

Regular checks between services can also be done. Even the most basic of tasks, such as checking the depth of tyre treads, checking that all the lights are functioning properly, and making sure that there are no chips or cracks on the windscreen, take only a few minutes but can save you from an MOT failure. These tests do not require any technical skills and can be performed at home.

It is also helpful to keep track of when the MOT is due and book it in advance. Putting the MOT off until the very last minute causes stress and can lead to driving an unroadworthy vehicle in case of failure. When one books in advance, they will have time to deal with issues without the rush.

Conclusion

It is disappointing that an MOT fails even after recent servicing of a car, but this situation has a positive side. There are safety or environmental concerns, which have been pointed out by the MOT. Once these issues are fixed, the vehicle becomes safer for the driver, passengers, and other road users. It also makes sure that a car meets legal requirements, and thus one does not risk a fine or a sentence for driving without a valid MOT certificate.

MOT failure does not say anything about the driver or even the quality of the latest service. It only implies that some elements must be addressed to be legal. Knowing the distinction between servicing and MOT testing, acting on the failures as soon as possible, and taking preventive steps in the future, motorists will be able to cope with this situation with confidence and maintain their vehicles and legal status on the roads in the UK.