MOT advisories explained: what to fix now and what to watch
Since 2018 MOT defects are graded. Here is what each grade means, which advisories normally mean imminent spend, and how to use a repeated advisory when negotiating.
An MOT result is not a simple pass or fail. Since 2018 every defect a tester finds is graded, and the grading decides whether the vehicle passes, fails, or passes with a note. Understanding the grades turns a page of test jargon into a maintenance plan.
The grades, in plain terms
- Dangerous — a direct risk to road safety. The vehicle fails and must not be driven until it is repaired.
- Major — a defect that affects safety, the environment or the vehicle's security. The vehicle fails.
- Minor — a defect that has no significant effect on safety but should be fixed. The vehicle can pass.
- Advisory — the tester's note that something is worn or deteriorating and will need attention.
Advisories that usually mean spend soon
Some advisories describe a condition that only goes one way. Corrosion in brake pipes, a corroded subframe or sill, worn suspension bushes and leaking shock absorbers all deteriorate with use rather than settling down. Uneven tyre wear points at geometry rather than the tyre, so replacing the tyre alone buys you a repeat. An oil or fluid leak is worth pricing because the cause is rarely the cheapest possible seal. None of these are emergencies on the day, but all of them have a date attached.
When a repeated advisory is a negotiating point
A single advisory says something was noticed. The same advisory across three tests says the owner chose not to repair it, year after year. That is not dishonesty — it is a decision — but the cost of that decision transfers to the next owner. When you see a three-year run of the same advisory, get a quote for the work before you agree a price, and use the quote as the basis of your offer rather than a vague mention of wear and tear.
Keep the record, not just the certificate
The certificate proves the vehicle passed. The advisory list tells you what to expect next. Save both against the vehicle, add the date you had each item repaired, and the next buyer has a documented answer instead of a shrug — which is worth real money at resale.
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