MOT Advisories Explained: What They Mean & What to Do
MOT · 4 min read
Your car passed its MOT — but the certificate lists 'advisories'. Are they urgent? Can you ignore them? Here's exactly what an MOT advisory means, which ones to act on quickly, and how to avoid a surprise failure next year.
What an advisory actually is
An MOT advisory is the tester's note that something is starting to wear or isn't quite right, but isn't bad enough to fail the test — yet. Your car is still road-legal and you've passed. Think of an advisory as an early warning: it's the tester telling you what will likely become a failure, or a safety issue, if you leave it.
Advisories you should act on quickly
Some advisories are about safety-critical parts and shouldn't wait, especially:
- Brakes — pads or discs 'worn but not excessively' can become dangerous fast
- Tyres — 'close to the legal limit' means you'll be illegal soon (and it's an instant fine + points)
- Suspension and steering play — affects handling and can worsen quickly
- Corrosion near mounting points — can spread and become a structural failure
Advisories you can usually plan for
Others are genuine but less urgent — a slightly weeping shock absorber, minor corrosion away from key areas, a bulb that's dim but working. These you can budget for and fix at your next service rather than immediately. The key is not to forget them: an ignored advisory is the single most common reason a car that 'always passed' suddenly fails the following year.
How to check advisories for free
Every MOT result — pass or fail, with all advisories — is stored on the government's free MOT history service on GOV.UK. Enter the registration and you can see the full history, including advisories from previous years. It's a great check before buying a used car, too: repeated or ignored advisories tell you how well it's been looked after. If you're unsure how serious an advisory is, call us with your reg and we'll give you an honest steer.
Frequently asked questions
Does an MOT advisory mean my car failed?
No — an advisory is a note on a car that passed. It flags something starting to wear that may need attention before it becomes a failure or a safety issue. You're still road-legal.
Can I ignore MOT advisories?
You can legally keep driving, but ignoring safety-related advisories (brakes, tyres, suspension) is risky and is the most common reason a car fails the next year. Act on safety items promptly; plan the rest.
How do I check my car's MOT advisories?
Use the free MOT history service on GOV.UK — enter your registration to see every pass, fail and advisory. Or call SS ADAM LTD on 07359 070 779 and we'll explain what yours mean.
Should advisories worry me when buying a used car?
They're useful intel. One or two minor advisories are normal; a long list, or the same advisory ignored year after year, suggests the car hasn't been well maintained. Always check the MOT history before buying.