MOT Advisories Explained: What Should You Fix First?

Your car has passed its MOT, but the certificate includes a list of advisories. Can you carry on driving? Do they need fixing immediately? And which one should you deal with first?

An MOT advisory highlights an issue that is not serious enough to make the vehicle fail the test at that time but may need monitoring or repairing in the future. It should not be treated as proof that the car will remain safe until its next MOT. Some advisories can become urgent much sooner, particularly when they involve tyres, brakes, steering, suspension or corrosion.

The sensible approach is to prioritise safety-critical items, ask how close a worn part is to its limit and make a plan for the remaining work. Here is how to understand your results without letting that list sit forgotten in the glovebox.

What does an MOT advisory mean? 

An MOT advisory is a note recorded by the tester about something that requires attention or needs monitoring. The vehicle can still pass with advisories, but the tester believes the issue is worth bringing to the driver’s attention. 

For example, an advisory might state that a tyre is worn close to the legal limit or that brake pads are wearing thin. Neither issue may meet the failure criteria on the day of the test, but both can deteriorate through normal use. 

The precise wording matters. Avoid trying to diagnose the condition from a short phrase alone, especially if you are unsure which component it describes. Ask the MOT centre to explain: 

• Where the issue is located 

• How serious it is currently 

• How quickly it may deteriorate 

• Whether the car is safe to drive 

• When it should be inspected again or repaired 

 

MOT defect categories explained 

It is easy to use “advisory” as a general term for everything written on an MOT certificate, but anything described as a defect is more serious and can result in an immediate MOT test fail. The tester will use the categories below to describe a fault or potential issue:. 

Dangerous defect 

A dangerous defect is the description used for a fault that could cause a direct and immediate risk to road safety or has a serious environmental impact. This will result in an MOT fail and the vehicle should not be driven until the defect has been repaired. 

Major defect 

A major defect may affect the safety of the vehicle, put other road users at risk or have an environmental impact. It also results in an MOT failure and must be repaired. Whether the vehicle can legally be driven away will depend on factors including whether its current MOT remains valid, but it must still be classed as roadworthy. 

Minor defect 

A minor defect has no immediate significant effect on the safety of the vehicle or its environmental impact. The vehiclecan pass its MOT with a minor defect, but the problem should be repaired as soon as possible. 

Advisory 

An advisory is something the tester has noticed that could become more serious or may need future attention. The vehicle will pass, but the issue should be monitored and repaired when appropriate. 

An MOT pass is a snapshot of the vehicle at the time of the test. It is not a guarantee that every component will remain safe for another year. 

 

What MOT advisories should you fix first? 

There is no universal order because the wording, severity of the fault and general condition of the vehicle all matter. As a practical rule, prioritise anything that could affect your ability to stop, steer, maintain grip or see the road. 

 

1. Tyre advisories 

Tyre advisories should be near the top of your list because tyres are the vehicle’s only contact with the road. Common comments include tread approaching the legal limit, uneven wear, fine cracking or minor damage. 

The legal minimum tread depth for cars in the UK is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre, around its complete circumference. However, a tyre that was legal during the MOT can continue wearing and fall below that limit before the next test. 

Check: 

• The remaining tread depth 

• Whether wear is even across the tyre 

• The sidewalls for cuts, cracks, lumps or bulges 

• The tyre pressures when cold 

• The tester recommends the tyre is replaced soon as the tread is near the legal limit. 

Merityre’s tyre safety advice explains how to check tyre tread, pressure and condition. If replacement is recommended, you can buy tyres online and arrange local fitting. Merityre also stocks options from a wide range of leading tyre manufacturers, including tyres designed for different vehicles, budgets and driving needs. 

EV tyres also require regular checks because the weight of the EV and the increased torque can place different demands on the tyres. If you drive an EV, browse Merityre’s range of electric car tyres. 

 

2. Brake advisories 

Advisories involving worn brake pads, scored discs, corrosion or brake imbalance deserve prompt attention. Brake components wear gradually, but it is impossible to judge their remaining life accurately from the advisory wording alone. 

Arrange an inspection as soon as possible if you notice: 

• Grinding, scraping or persistent squealing 

• A soft or spongy brake pedal 

• Vibration when braking 

• The vehicle pulling to one side 

• A brake warning light 

• An increase in stopping distance 

Several problems can cause similar symptoms, so have the braking system professionally checked rather than assuming which part needs replacing. Merityre offers brake checks and repairs at participating branches. 

3. Steering and suspension advisories 

Worn bushes, ball joints, shock absorbers and other steering or suspension components can affect stability, handling, tyre wear and braking behaviour. Their condition may worsen gradually, but potholes, kerb impacts and heavy use can accelerate deterioration. 

Book an inspection promptly if the car pulls to one side, feels unstable, makes knocking noises, sits unevenly or shows irregular tyre wear. These symptoms do not confirm a particular fault, but they are good reasons to have the vehicle checked. 

Uneven tyre wear may also be linked to wheel alignment. A wheel-alignment check can confirm whether the wheels sit at the manufacturer’s intended angles, although worn suspension parts may need repairing before an alignment can be completed correctly. 

4. Windscreen, wiper and visibility advisories 

A small windscreen chip or worn wiper blade may not cause an immediate MOT failure, but visibility issues can worsen quickly. Windscreen chips can spread into cracks, and ineffective wipers can make driving dangerous in heavy rain. 

Replace worn wipers, keep the screen wash topped up and arrange for windscreen damage to be assessed. If the defect affects your view or the windscreen deteriorates, do not wait for the next MOT. 

5. Lights and electrical advisories 

Lights not only improve visibilty they can also make your intentions clear to other road users. If a lamp is dim, insecure or faltering, deal with it promptly. Check headlights, brake lights, indicators, rear lights, fog lights and number-plate lights regularly. 

Electrical advisories can sometimes have several possible causes. If replacing a bulb does not resolve the problem, ask a professional to inspect the wiring, connections and lighting unit. 

 

6. Exhaust, emissions and corrosion advisories 

An exhaust advisory might refer to a minor leak, damaged mounting or corrosion. These issues can lead to an increase in exhaust noise, affect emissions or cause part of the exhaust to become insecure. 

Corrosion advisories also vary considerably. Surface corrosion in a non-structural area is different from deterioration close to a load-bearing or safety-critical mounting point. Ask the tester to show you the affected area and explain how urgently it needs attention. 

If you smell exhaust fumes inside the car, the exhaust becomes unusually loud or a component appears loose, stop using the vehicle and seek professional advice. 

 

How to prioritise several MOT advisories 

1. Immediate safety risks: Prioritise tyres, brakes, steering, suspension, visibility and anything the tester says could soon make the vehicle unsafe. 
2. Problems close to a legal or wear limit: Ask for measurements where they are available. A tyre close to the legal tread limit or brake components with little usable material remaining should not be left indefinitely. 
3. Faults likely to worsen or cause further damage: A relatively small problem may become more expensive if it affects another component. For example, poor wheel alignment can accelerate uneven tyre wear. 
4. Lower-risk maintenance items: Plan less urgent work around your budget and normal service schedule but keep monitoring it. “Not urgent today” does not mean “safe to ignore for a year”. 

If you are unsure, ask the garage to separate the list into: 

• Work needed immediately 

• Work recommended soon 

• Items to monitor 

• Repairs that can sensibly be combined with a service 
•  

How do I check MOT advisories online? 

You can check the MOT history of a vehicle using the official GOV.UK service. You will need its registration number. 

The record allows you to review previous pass and fail results, recorded mileage and defects noted at earlier tests. In England, Scotland and Wales, you can also see minor problems recorded during tests and download current or previous certificates. 

Checking the history is useful when: 

• You have misplaced the paper certificate 

• You want to review your own vehicle’s previous advisories 

• You are considering buying a used car 

• You want to see whether the same issue appears repeatedly 

• You need to check when the next MOT is due 

When buying a car, repeated advisories can be a useful prompt for further questions, but the online record does not prove the current condition. An issue may have been repaired without that repair appearing as a separate entry, so inspect the vehicle and ask for invoices or other evidence. 

 

How long do MOT advisories last? 

An MOT advisory does not have a fixed expiry date. It forms part of the result for the test on which it was recorded and remains visible in the vehicle’s MOT history. 

If the issue is repaired, it may not appear on the next certificate. However, the earlier advisory remains attached to the historical test result. Repairing an advisory does not usually delete that past record. 

More importantly, the fact that the next MOT is months away does not give you a safe deadline for repair. A worn part may deteriorate quickly depending on mileage, road conditions, driving style and its condition at the time of the test. Ask the tester or repairer for a realistic timescale based on an inspection. 

 

Will an advisory fail the next MOT? 

Not automatically. If the component remains within the required standard, it may receive another advisory or no comment at all. If it deteriorates enough to meet the criteria for a major or dangerous defect, the vehicle will fail. 

This is why dealing with advisories early can be helpful. It may reduce the risk of an unexpected failure and give you more control over when you arrange and budget for repairs. 

 

Do you legally have to fix MOT advisories? 

An advisory by itself does not cause an MOT failure. However, you are responsible for keeping the vehicle roadworthy whenever you drive it, not only on the day of the MOT. 

If an advised issue deteriorates and the car becomes unsafe or illegal, you could face enforcement action even if the MOT certificate has not expired. Do not rely on a valid certificate as evidence that the car is still safe today. 

 

Can you sell a car with MOT advisories? 

You can sell a vehicle with advisories, but you should describe its condition honestly and avoid misleading the buyer. The buyer can view its MOT history online, so unresolved or repeated advisories are likely to prompt questions. 

Fixing safety-related issues and keeping repair invoices can reassure a potential buyer that the car has been properly maintained. If you are buying, use the advisories to guide an independent inspection and estimate likely maintenance costs rather than treating them as an automatic reason to walk away. 

 

Do not use the MOT as your only maintenance check 

An MOT checks specific safety and environmental standards at the time of the test. It is not the same as a service and does not assess the vehicle’s overall mechanical condition. The engine, clutch and gearbox, for example, are not examined in the same way as part of the MOT. 

Following the manufacturer’s service schedule can identify wear and maintenance needs between annual tests. If your service is due, you can book a car service with Merityre. 

 

Get advice on your MOT advisories from Merityre 

An advisory is an early warning, not a reason to panic. Start with anything involving safety, find out how close the component is to its limit and plan the remaining maintenance before it becomes more serious. 

At Merityre , our teams can help with tyres, brakes, wheel alignment, batteries, exhausts and routine servicing. Contact your nearest Merityre branch to discuss the relevant checks and services available.