Wipers and washers named as top cause for MOT failures

--    The most common causes for MOT failure include wipers and washers, suspension and registration plate bulbs
--    Eight of the 10 most common MOT failure

points can be easily identified and resolved  ahead of the test
--    Across the UK, 44% of vehicles failed their last MOT test
--    Great Yarmouth (53.8%), Weston-Super-Mare (52.6%) and Edinburgh (51.8%) saw the highest MOT failure rates across the country
--    Meanwhile, Romford (34.8%), Solihull (35.3%) and Bury St. Edmunds (35.6%) experienced the lowest failure rates

London, 20 July 2017 – The number one cause for MOT failures were windscreen wiper and washer-related issues, according to new research by AA Garage Guide, the AA’s MOT, repairs and car servicing garage finder.

Garage Guide analysed 146,000 MOT records of UK-registered vehicles owned by AA members in May and June this year*, and found that problems with the suspension and registration plate bulbs also topped the list.

In fact, eight of the 10 most common MOT failure points can be easily identified and resolved through some simple pre-MOT checks.

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

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).

Drivers in other parts of the country fared better, however, with just over a third of motorists in Romford (34.8%), Solihull (35.3%) and Bury St. Edmunds (35.6%) failing their last MOT test.

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

Olli Astley, director at AA Garage Guide, says: “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. If you’re unsure of your vehicle’s MOT history and advisories, you can check this and get quotes for free using Automyze.” 

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