MOT fail thread

Haggisman · 31 Oct 2025 at 12:23

"Just one spark could have catastrophic results – such as causing a fire."

I'm curious to know what the other potential catastrophic results would be :confused:

Nabinium · 31 Oct 2025 at 13:32

JonRGV250 said:
Nightmare on MOT Street: Frightening Faults Lurking in UK Garages – Matters of Testing

While most horror stories are set in haunted houses or dark woods, some of the DVSA’s scariest tales come straight from the MOT testing bay. This year testers have shared some truly hair-raising sights that would leave the bravest of

mattersoftesting.blog.gov.uk

As a tester, what's your horror MOT story of the year so far?

JonRGV250 · 8 Dec 2025 at 17:50

Nabinium said:
As a tester, what's your horror MOT story of the year so far?

Far too many to list.

Considering the weather of late, one would assume that the driver might somehow have noticed something was missing here, but nope, they had no idea..

andy_mk3 · 8 Dec 2025 at 17:55

It's genuinely frightening how unaware people are over things like that.

One tiny streak or hint of a judder, I'm buying new blades :cry:

d_brennen · 8 Dec 2025 at 17:56

JonRGV250 said:
Far too many to list.

Considering the weather of late, one would assume that the driver might somehow have noticed something was missing here, but nope, they had no idea..

Would that not be making a racket?

JonRGV250 · 8 Dec 2025 at 17:59

A bit, it was lucky the plastic clip was still on the arm otherwise it would have scratched the screen and possibly failed for that.

Kenai · 8 Dec 2025 at 18:03

The MOT system needs a way for you to tick a box that says 'this person is clearly not fit to be driving' that goes straight to DVLA

tom_e · 8 Dec 2025 at 18:10

Kenai said:
The MOT system needs a way for you to tick a box that says 'this person is clearly not fit to be driving' that goes straight to DVLA

We joke but there really should be something like this. If people are happily driving around in some of the **** heaps Jon posts then just imagine how oblivious they are to everything else!

adolf hamster · 8 Dec 2025 at 18:15

JonRGV250 said:
A bit, it was lucky the plastic clip was still on the arm otherwise it would have scratched the screen and possibly failed for that.

even with you saying that, i can't look at that image and not wince in mechanical sympathy.......

ShiWarrior · 10 Dec 2025 at 11:06

i know its a photo, so it could be that, but the glass on that windscreen looks broken to me ?

Nabinium · 10 Dec 2025 at 11:15

ShiWarrior said:
i know its a photo, so it could be that, but the glass on that windscreen looks broken to me ?

Can't see where it looks broken

JonRGV250 · 10 Dec 2025 at 11:25

It wasn’t broken.

Akagi · 11 Dec 2025 at 22:13

They wouldn't have noticed though.

tamzzy · 12 Dec 2025 at 10:43

Or would the metal not have made an almighty scratch on the windscreen as it moves up and down

tom_e · 12 Dec 2025 at 10:49

tamzzy said:
Or would the metal not have made an almighty scratch on the windscreen as it moves up and down

JonRGV250 said:
A bit, it was lucky the plastic clip was still on the arm otherwise it would have scratched the screen and possibly failed for that.

tamzzy · 12 Dec 2025 at 10:50

@tom_e that'll teach me for skim reading lol :cry:

(Or rather didn't read at all!)

JonRGV250 · Friday at 18:20

I'd love to know the thought process when the customer decided where to fit the dashcam.
Probably something like "I know I'll fit it slap bang in my direct view of the road, that'll be just perfect"
and they did just that..

Just fit the ******* thing behind the mirror like anyone else with a fully functioning brain would FFS.

Also, and this shouldn't need saying, but don't buy part worn tyres.
Same car as above, and the customer had one fitted just before bringing it in for MOT (it's still got the marker pen on the tread)..

The tyre was completely flat when I went to get it in for test, so I pumped it up otherwise the brake rollers would tear it to shreds, and...

not only was the customer sold a tyre that was punctured, it also had cords exposed from sidewall damage.
And the best bit, they drove the car away without an MOT and with the tyre completely devoid of air.
Yay!

adolf hamster · Friday at 18:37

JonRGV250 said:
I'd love to know the thought process when the customer decided where to fit the dashcam.

oh god that is triggering, the only reason i don't run a dashcam is because even having it hidden behind the mirror with wiring neatly tucked away under the trim would still annoy me........

JonRGV250 said:
they drove the car away without an MOT and with the tyre completely devoid of air.
Yay!

are you allowed to let them drive off with such a serious issue? fair enough if it's something minor that ain't safety critical but that doesn't look like it should be on the road......

GravyMonster · Friday at 18:47

All seems about right for someone using a steering wheel cover. How they are legal is beyond me.

JonRGV250 · Friday at 19:21

adolf hamster said:
oh god that is triggering

Yup, it drives me even more insane than I already am.

adolf hamster said:
are you allowed to let them drive off with such a serious issue?

Absolutely nothing we can do, other than advise the customer not to, and remind them of the law.