MOT failures represent one of largest sources of donated cars at Giveacar: when a car is facing expensive and complicated repairs to return it to the road, sometimes it is cheaper and simpler to scrap the car and replace it with a model in better condition. MOT failure rates have been growing during the recession as driver cut back on costly repairs and servicing; failure rates rose to 37 percent for small vans and cars in 2009, with most failures arising from relatively small but expensive issues like tyres, lights, brakes and suspension (all of which require regular servicing.) Cutting back on these periodic repairs can prove a false economy if the car fails its MOT and you receive an expensive lump-bill for repairs, but passing an MOT is no easy business these days.
In 2010, VOSA was required to reveal information about the yearly MOT failures by a request from the BBC under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. The results display individual failure rates for brands and models: the Renault Megane posted a 28% failure rate from 2002-2009; the Vauxhall Corsa a 24.7% 2003-2006 failure rate; and the Toyota Corolla the lowest at just 11.2%. On the whole, the Japanese brands came out the most reliable with Hondas and Toyotas in general having very low failure rates. With so many cars failing an MOT each year, it pays to understand how they can fail and whether it is worth repairing a car which may continue to be problematic and potentially unsafe.
MOTs check the entire of the car to ensure it is not a danger to any road user; brakes, lights, steering, tyres, and seat belts (general wear-and-tear issues) are still some of the biggest issues each year, but increasingly new requirements are catching vehicle owners out: since emissions tests were introduced to the MOT more failures are being racked up by exhaust system failures. Knowing the most common failure areas can help in self-assessing your car before taking it for MOT. If you think your car may be in danger of failing, ask whether it would be convenient, economical and, above all, safe to repair; if not, give a thought to contacting Giveacar and scrapping your car for the benefit of a charity.
There can be many reasons why a car or a bike can fail an MOT, an MOT checks a car or bike for faults with:
1. BRAKES
2. DOORS
3. FUEL SYSTEM
4. HORN
5. LIGHTS
6. MIRRORS
7. REG.PLATES/VIN
8. SEAT BELTS
9. SEATS
10. STEERING
11. TYRES/WHEELS
12. STRUCTURE
13. WINDSCREEN