MOT Advisory Items Explained: What They Mean and When to Worry

If your car passes its MOT with advisories, it means the tester spotted issues that are not yet bad enough to fail but could become problems in the future. Understanding what these advisories mean — and which ones to act on — can save you money and keep you safe.

1. What Are MOT Advisories?

Since May 2018, the MOT uses three defect categories:

Advisories appear as minor defects on your MOT certificate and in the online MOT history. They are not failures, but they are important signals about your car’s condition.

2. Most Common Advisories

• Brake pad/disc wear — Pads or discs wearing thin but still above the minimum thickness
• Tyre tread depth approaching minimum — Above 1.6mm but close enough to warrant monitoring
• Minor corrosion — Surface rust not yet affecting structural integrity
• Slight play in suspension component — Wear in bushes or ball joints not yet at the fail threshold
• Oil leak — Seeping but not actively dripping
• Exhaust corrosion — Rust on the exhaust system not yet causing holes or leaks
• Windscreen chip — Damage outside the critical zone or below the fail-size threshold

3. Which Advisories to Fix Immediately

Some advisories are safety-critical and should be addressed promptly even though your car has technically passed:

• Brake wear — Worn brakes will only get worse and compromise your stopping distance. Budget for replacement within the next few months
• Tyre tread approaching minimum — You could become illegal before your next MOT. Replace soon, especially before winter
• Suspension play — Affects handling and tyre wear. Fix before it becomes a fail and potentially dangerous

4. Which Advisories Can Wait

Other advisories are worth monitoring but are not urgent:

• Minor corrosion (non-structural) — Keep an eye on it, treat with rust converter if accessible, check again at the next MOT
• Oil seep (not a drip) — Monitor the level monthly. If it is not losing oil noticeably, it can wait
• Exhaust surface rust — Only a concern if it develops into holes. Check periodically
• Windscreen chip (outside critical zone) — Get it repaired to prevent spreading, but it is not urgent

5. How Advisories Become Failures

An advisory this year can easily become a failure next year if left unchecked. Brake pads that are advisory-level in April could be below minimum by the following March. Corrosion that was surface-level can eat through structural metal in 12 months, especially in areas with road salt.

The key is to use your advisory list as a maintenance schedule. Plan to address items before your next MOT rather than hoping they will be fine.

6. Tracking Advisories Year to Year

The free MOT history at check-mot.service.gov.uk shows advisories from every test going back years. This is invaluable when buying a used car — you can see whether the same advisory has appeared repeatedly (suggesting it is getting worse) or whether it was a one-off.

If a car shows the same corrosion advisory for three consecutive years, it may be progressing. If a brake advisory appeared once and then disappeared (because the seller fixed it), that is a good sign.

7. Using Advisories to Negotiate Car Price

When buying a used car, always check the MOT history for advisories. If the car has outstanding advisories, you can legitimately factor the cost of fixing them into your offer:

• Brake pad advisory — deduct £80–£150 (cost of pad replacement per axle)
• Tyre tread advisory — deduct £50–£150 per tyre (depending on size)
• Suspension advisory — deduct £100–£300 (depending on component)

8. What the Tester’s Notes Actually Mean

MOT advisory notes use standardised language that can be confusing. Here is what common phrases mean:

Final Thoughts

MOT advisories are not failures — but they are valuable information. Use them as a maintenance guide, address safety-critical items promptly, and monitor the rest. When buying a used car, always check the MOT history for patterns of advisories that could indicate ongoing issues or upcoming costs.

This guide is for informational purposes. Always consult a qualified mechanic for specific advice about your vehicle.