Your privacy is as important to us as your safety on the road
To provide you with the best online experience, Kwik Fit and our partners use technologies such as cookies to store local information on your device. Consenting to our recommended technologies allows us and our partners to process data such as your browsing behaviour or individual identifiers on this website.
Click the green button below to consent with our recommended settings or you may switch the performance and targeting categories on or off individually, then save your settings. You can freely update your choices at any time and view the full list of cookies that may be placed by clicking the Cookies link in the footer of every page of our website.
As your annual MOT approaches, it’s understandable to feel nervous as to whether your vehicle will pass or not. In the absence of a valid MOT, your vehicle cannot legally be on the road, so it can seem that there is a lot riding on the test.
There is, after all, a whole host of valid reasons why you can fail your MOT, from windscreen wipers to wheel nuts. However, there are also a variety of things you can get away with without a fail (though that doesn’t mean they aren’t worth monitoring).
To put your mind at ease, we’ve compiled a list of things that you likely won’t fail your MOT for, so read on to be pleasantly surprised.
1) Worn down brake pads
Used constantly as a car safety essential, your brake pads will wear down quickly, and MOT technicians know this. Brake pads work through friction which means, technically, their purpose is to erode — the key is not too much.
If your brake pads are worn slightly, or the lining has begun to erode slightly, you’ll likely receive a cautionary warning to replace them soon. But it is possible to still pass despite brake pad erosion, provided they are not eroded below the legal minimum of 1.5mm - as this can be dangerous.
It is recommended, however, to replace your brake pads if they erode to less than 3mm. Also, as good practice, you should book your car in for regular servicing to check your brakes since most brake pads have a lifespan of roughly 50,000 miles.
2) Cracked windscreen
While we don’t advise driving around with any sort of damage to your windscreen, it is possible to pass an MOT with just a few cracks or chips in it.
If the chips in the windscreen are less than 10mm, and not on the driver’s side, you can still pass. However, if the chips are more than 40mm wide, you’ll fail and need to get them repaired and or replace your windscreen immediately.
3) Gearbox Problems
While gearboxes are crucial to the safe handling of every car, certain issues won’t warrant complete MOT failure. Specific problems, like a gearbox noise, won’t cause a failure since the MOT test doesn’t actually cover the condition of the gearbox or the engine (aside from emissions).
That being said, it is wise to get any noises checked out in case they indicate a larger, underlying problem.
4) Worn down tyres
The legal limit for tyre tread depth is 1.6mm. Any less than this and your tyres won’t have grip enough to brake safely, causing increased braking distances. You’ll definitely fail your MOT if your tyres have excessive ripping or tyre tread erosion, in which case you’ll need to get your tyres replaced immediately.
However, some wear on tyres is expected since they are the only continuous point of contact between your vehicle and the road. So, as long as your tyres are above 1.6mm, you can still pass your MOT.
Find out how to check your tyre tread depth at home with our 20p test blog. If the tread depth is below 3mm, you should think about replacing them soon anyway for the safety of you and your passengers.
5) Dents in your car body
While your car’s body is subjected to a once over during its MOT, some light damage to your bodywork won’t warrant a failure. Most body parts are checked to ensure they are secure and won’t fly off when driving, but cosmetic damage like scratches and denting — providing they don’t interfere with the performance of the vehicle— are permissible.
Sharp edges that could cause injury, faulty doors, and un-openable windows are not permitted, though.
And there you have it. See, MOTs aren’t so bad after all? The important thing to remember is that they are there to keep you, your passengers, and fellow drivers safe on the road.
If you are worried that your car won’t pass its MOT, we’d recommend booking in for a combined MOT and service to prevent any nasty surprises when it comes to your test. In the meantime, get in touch with the experts at your local Kwik Fit with any questions you may have about your MOT.
And, if you don’t know when your MOT is due, use our handy MOT tool and save the date.
Driving in heavy rain can be tricky and bring extra risks. Check out our guide for top tips to stay safe and avoid breakdowns if travelling in wet conditions.
Is the UK on the verge of ‘the coldest winter for 50 years?’ Even if El Niño doesn't hit the UK this winter, reduce the risk of a winter breakdown by making sure your car battery is winter-ready.
Your tyre size can be found on the sidewall of your current tyre and is a sequence of numbers and letters. The most common tyre size in the UK is 205/55R16 but there are many variations so it’s important to check your existing tyre first before searching for tyres.
Tip: Take a photo of your existing tyre sidewall to make it easier to identify your tyre size using the guide below.
The first three digits. This displays the width of the tyre in millimetres. A tyre marked 225 will measure 225mm across the tread from sidewall to sidewall.
Aspect Ratio
The fourth and fifth digits of the tyre code that immediately follow the tyre width. The aspect ratio or profile height of the tyre sidewall is expressed as a percentage of the tyre width. So an aspect ratio of 55 for example means that the profile height of the tyre is 55% of its width.
Rim Diameter
The next two digits represent the size of the wheel rim that the tyre can be fitted to. It is also the diameter of the tyre from bead to bead. So a tyre marked 16 will fit on a 16-inch wheel rim.
Speed Rating
The speed rating of a tyre is represented by a letter of the alphabet at the end of the tyre size code and indicates the maximum speed capability of the tyre. Tyres receive a speed rating based on a series of tests which measure the tyres capability to handle a set speed for a prolonged period of time.
Select your tyre speed rating to find out the maximum speed your tyres can maintain.
If you are unsure what speed rating you need, be sure to check your vehicle handbook. Choosing a lower speed rating than that recommended by your vehicle manufacturer could potentially invalidate your insurance.
Load Rating
The load index provides information on the maximum weight capability for the tyre. The load index is a numerical code that can be located just after the tyre size marking and before the speed rating.
Select your load index to find out the maximum load capability for your tyres.
Although not illegal, it is not advisable to have tyres with a lower speed rating or load index than the manufacturer recommended tyre specification for your vehicle, or to have a combination of different tyre construction types. Consult your vehicle handbook to confirm your vehicle’s tyre speed rating and load index as well as any additional requirements.
0800 75 76 77 You can reach our customer care team 6 days a week from 9:00am to 6:00pm on Monday and Thursday, 8:30am to 6:00pm Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 8:30am to 5:00pm Saturday, and 10:00am to 4:00pm on Bank Holidays.
{MODALTITLE}
{MODALBODY}
{MODALTITLE}
{MODALBODY}
{MODALTITLE}
{MODALBODY}
Select Tyre Size
Front Tyre Size
Rear Tyre Size
We endeavour to ensure we are displaying the correct tyres for your vehicle. However, we recommend all customers check the tyre size printed on the side wall of their tyres before proceeding with a tyre purchase as occasionally discrepancies do occur. By selecting the tyre sizes above and clicking 'Continue', you are indicating that you have checked your tyre sizes.
Please select your front and rear tyre size before clicking 'Continue'.
We have identified the tyre size(s) that may fit your {VEHICLE}. Please select your front tyre size and rear tyre size below before clicking 'Continue'.
Filter Your Results
You have selected:
To continue with your booking, please select your appointment time from the list below.
Please note: There is a slope that the vehicle must be driven up to reach the vehicle ramp at this centre. This may prevent us from being able to work on some high-performance vehicles, Tesla vehicles or vehicles that have been lowered. If your vehicle has low ground clearance, please contact the centre team on 01342 314 111 before booking.
Appointment time:
This is the only appointment time available on this day. To continue with your booking, please select "Reserve Your Appointment" below.
Please note:
Centres do not open until 10:00 on bank holidays. If choosing an earlier appointment time on a bank holiday, please bring your vehicle to centre at 10:00 rather than the time shown.