The most common cause of MOT failures is windscreen wiper and washer-related issues, according to new research by AA Garage Guide.

The AA’s MOT, repairs and car servicing garage finder analysed 146,000 MOT records of UK-registered vehicles owned by AA members in May and June this year,.

Suspension problems and registration plate bulb failure were also  found that problems with the suspension and registration plate bulbs also topped the list.

AA Garage Guide says eight of the 10 most common MOT points can be easily identified and resolved through pre-MOT checks.

The following table shows the 10 most common causes for MOT failure:

CODE

FAILURE ITEM

 

8.2

Wipers and washers

Yes

2.4.G

Suspension arms and linkages, sub frames etc

No

1.1.C

Registration plate bulb

Yes

1.1.A

Front and rear position bulb

Yes

4.1.E

Tyre tread – pattern, breadth and depth

Yes

1.2

 Brake light

Yes

1.8

Headlamp Aim

Yes

2.4.C.1a

Suspension - Coil springs

No

1.7

Headlamps

Yes

4.1.D

Condition of tyres

Yes

Source: AA

Across the country, more than four in 10 (44.3%) cars failed their last MOT test.

Drivers in the seaside town of Great Yarmouth suffered the highest MOT failure rate in the whole country, with more than half (53.8%) failing their last MOT, while motorists in Weston-Super-Mare (52.6%) and Edinburgh (51.8%) also experienced worryingly high failure rates.

The table shows the 10 towns and cities in the UK with the highest MOT failure rates (looking at the last MOT).

TOWN/CITY

% vehicles that failed last MOT

GREAT YARMOUTH

53.8%

WESTON-SUPER-MARE

52.6%

EDINBURGH

51.8%

BOURNEMOUTH

50.8%

DUNFERMLINE

50.8%

HULL

50.2%

SHREWSBURY

49.9%

ABERDEEN

49.4%

EXETER

48.9%

NEWPORT

49.3%

Source: AA

Olli Astley, director at AA Garage Guide, said: “There are countless numbers of potential reasons for vehicles failing their MOT, but it’s shocking to see that the number one cause identified came down to the humble windscreen wipers and washers.

“An empty screen wash or smearing wipers are easy to spot – and fix – at home ahead of the statutory roadworthiness test, so there’s really no excuse for failing on such an easily solvable problem.

“Tyres and headlights have also been highlighted as popular problem areas and are therefore worth checking in advance of your car’s MOT. Make sure that your tyre pressures are correct and that wear across the whole of the tyre surface isn’t below the 1.6mm legal minimum, and that any blown lights are replaced. 

“You should make sure you’ve addressed any previous ‘advisories’ – that’s the maintenance work recommended by the garage during your car’s last MOT."

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