Your MOT has failed — here's what happens next
When your vehicle fails its MOT test, the testing station will give you a printed report listing the specific faults found. You cannot legally drive the car on public roads until those faults are fixed and the vehicle passes a new test — with one exception: you can drive it directly to a garage for repairs, but only if the failure is not a serious safety risk like brake failure or steering problems.
The report you receive will categorize each fault as either a major defect (serious safety or emissions issue) or a minor defect (less serious, but still needs fixing). You need to understand which category your faults fall into, because it changes what you can legally do with the car and how quickly you need to act.
Key Takeaways
- A failed MOT report lists specific faults by category — major defects stop you driving legally, while minor defects allow you to drive to a repair garage.
- You can book a retest at the same testing station or a different one, and you pay the full MOT fee again (the fee does not vary by whether it is a first test or a retest).
- If you fix only some faults and retest before all are repaired, you will fail again on the unfixed items.
- Keep your failed MOT certificate — you will need it to show the testing station what was originally wrong, and it proves the car was tested.
Understanding major and minor defects on your report
A major defect is a fault that makes the vehicle unsafe or illegal to drive. Examples include faulty brakes, worn brake pads below the legal limit, steering problems, missing or broken lights, severely damaged windscreens, or emissions that exceed legal limits. If your report lists major defects, you cannot legally drive the car on a public road except directly to a garage for repairs — and even that is only allowed if the fault does not make driving genuinely dangerous.
A minor defect is a fault that does not when ready threaten safety but still needs fixing before the next MOT. Examples include a slightly worn tyre (but not below the legal limit), a minor oil leak, worn wiper blades, or a faulty interior light. If your report lists only minor defects, you can continue to drive the car normally while you arrange repairs.
Your report will clearly mark which category each fault falls into. Read through it carefully, because this determines your next steps and your timeline. If you are unsure whether a fault is major or minor, ask the testing station — they can explain the specific fault they found.
Booking a retest after repairs
Once you have had the faults repaired, you need to book a new MOT test. You can return to the same testing station or go to a different one — the choice is yours. Book your retest through the testing station directly, either online, by phone, or in person. You will pay the full MOT fee again; there is no reduced rate for a retest.
The testing station will have your original failed report on file if you return to them, which can speed up the process because they already know what was wrong. If you go to a different station, bring your failed MOT certificate with you so the new tester can see what faults were originally found. This helps them focus on checking that those specific areas have been properly repaired.
Timing matters here: if you book your retest too soon after repairs, the garage may not have finished the work, and you will fail again. Ask your garage how long repairs will take and book your retest a few days after their estimated completion date. If repairs take longer than expected, you can cancel or reschedule your test — most stations allow this without penalty if you give reasonable notice.
What happens if you fail the retest
If you fail the retest, you will receive another report listing the faults found. These may be the same faults that were not properly repaired, or new faults that have developed. You will need to have these fixed and book another retest, paying the full fee again each time.
If the same fault appears on multiple reports, this suggests either that the repair was not done correctly or that the garage did not understand the original problem. Before booking another retest, go back to the garage and ask them to check their work. Bring the failed report with you so they can see exactly what the tester found. If they repaired the fault incorrectly, they should fix it again at no extra cost — most garages may provide their work for a set period.
Driving legally while waiting for repairs
The rules about driving a failed car depend on the type of fault. If your report lists only minor defects, you can drive the car normally on public roads while you arrange repairs. You are not breaking the law, but you should still get the faults fixed before your next MOT is due.
If your report lists major defects, you cannot legally drive the car on public roads except to take it directly to a garage for repairs. "Directly" means you should not make detours or use the car for other purposes. If you are stopped by police and cannot show that you are driving to a repair appointment, you could face a fine. Some major defects — like complete brake failure — mean you should not drive the car at all; arrange for it to be towed or transported instead.
If you are unsure whether your fault is serious enough to stop you driving, ask the testing station or your garage. It is better to be cautious than to risk a fine or cause an accident.
Keeping records of your failed MOT
Your failed MOT certificate is an important document. Keep it safe because you will need it when you book your retest, and it proves that your vehicle was tested and what faults were found. Some insurance companies also ask to see your MOT history, including failed tests, so having the certificate on file is useful.
You can also view your MOT history online through the DVLA's MOT history checker using your vehicle registration number and MOT test number. This shows all your tests — passed and failed — for the last five years. If you lose your paper certificate, you can print a copy from this online record.
Choosing a garage for repairs
You do not have to use a specific garage for repairs just because a particular testing station found the faults. You can take your car to any garage you trust. However, it is worth getting quotes from more than one garage before you commit, because repair costs vary widely depending on the fault and the garage's rates.
When you get a quote, bring your failed MOT report with you so the garage knows exactly what needs fixing. Ask them how long the repair will take and whether they may provide their work. Some garages offer a warranty on repairs — usually 30 to 90 days — which means they will fix the problem again for free if the same fault reappears within that time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive my car if it has failed its MOT?
It depends on the type of fault. If you have only minor defects, you can drive normally. If you have major defects, you can only drive directly to a garage for repairs. Major faults like complete brake failure mean you should not drive at all — arrange for the car to be towed instead.
Do I have to retest at the same testing station?
No. You can book your retest at any MOT testing station you choose. If you return to the same station, they will have your original report on file, which can help them focus on checking the repaired areas. If you go elsewhere, bring your failed certificate with you.
How much does a retest cost?
A retest costs the same as a first MOT test. The fee does not change based on whether it is your first attempt or a retest. Fees vary slightly by testing station and vehicle type, but you can find the standard rate on the GOV.UK MOT checker.
What if the garage says they cannot fix the fault?
Some faults are expensive or require specialist equipment. If your garage cannot do the work, ask them to recommend another garage that can. You can also search online for garages that specialize in the type of repair you need. Get quotes from at least two garages before deciding.
How long do I have to fix the faults and retest?
There is no legal time limit, but your car cannot be driven on public roads (except to a garage) until it passes. If you have a major fault, fix it as soon as you can. If you have only minor defects, you can take longer, but remember that your MOT will eventually expire — you need to pass before that date or you cannot legally drive the car at all.