Your MOT certificate isn’t just a piece of paper to file away – it tells you exactly how safe and roadworthy your car is, and what could cost you money next year. Once you understand what each section means, you can plan repairs properly, avoid unexpected fails, and stay on top of your car’s condition.

1. Test Result: Pass, Fail, or Pass with Defects

The first thing to check is the overall result of the MOT. You’ll see one of the following:

• Pass – Your car has met the minimum legal standard.
• Pass with defects/advisories – You passed, but there are items that need attention.
• Fail (Major or Dangerous) – The car did not meet the required standard.

If any item is marked as Dangerous, the vehicle is not legal to drive on the road until it’s repaired and retested. Treat Major and Dangerous defects as a priority.

2. Vehicle Details

This section confirms the identity of your car. It usually includes:

• Registration number
• Make and model
• Mileage at the time of test
• Previous MOT mileages

Check that these details match your car. Keep an eye on the mileage history – sudden drops or odd changes can indicate a recording error or possible mileage tampering.

3. MOT Test Number

Every MOT has a unique test number. This is useful if you need to:

• Check your MOT status or history online
• Query the result or make a complaint
• Book or confirm a free retest (where applicable)

It’s worth keeping this number somewhere safe along with your certificate.

4. Expiry Date

The expiry date tells you when your next MOT is due. You can present your car for its next MOT up to one month minus one day before this date and still keep the same renewal anniversary.

Set a reminder in your phone or calendar. Leaving it until the last minute can leave you stuck if the car fails and needs parts or extra work.

5. Advisories

Advisories are items that are not bad enough to fail the MOT, but will likely need attention in the near future. Think of them as early warnings.

Common advisories include:

• Tyres getting close to the legal tread limit
• Slightly worn brake pads or discs
• Minor corrosion starting on the chassis or brake pipes

The car may have passed this year, but ignoring advisories is one of the most common reasons drivers get caught out with a fail next time. Use them to plan maintenance before they become expensive problems.

6. Defects: Minor, Major, and Dangerous

Defects are split into different levels of severity:

• Minor – The car still passes, but the issue should be repaired.
• Major – MOT fail. The defect must be repaired before the car can pass.
• Dangerous – MOT fail and unsafe to drive on the road.

If you see the word Dangerous, do not drive the vehicle on the road until it has been fixed. Doing so can lead to fines, penalty points and, more importantly, puts you and others at serious risk.

7. Tester Notes

Some certificates include extra notes from the MOT tester. These might not fit neatly into the advisory or defect categories but are still worth knowing about.

Examples include borderline wear, minor leaks, or areas to keep an eye on over the next 12 months. If anything in this section isn’t clear, ask the tester to explain it in plain language before you leave the test centre.

8. Where to Check Your Full MOT History

The paper (or PDF) certificate is just a snapshot. You can view your car’s full MOT history online, including:

• Previous passes and fails
• Old advisories that were never fixed
• Mileage records from each test

This is especially useful when you’re looking at buying or selling a car. A long list of repeated advisories usually means maintenance has been postponed for years.

9. Final Thoughts: Turn Your Certificate into a Plan

Once you know how to read your MOT certificate, you’re no longer guessing. You can see what needs attention now, what can wait, and what could cost you money at the next test.

Use the result, advisories and defects to build a simple plan:

• Fix Dangerous and Major defects immediately.
• Schedule repairs for advisories over the coming months.
• Monitor tester notes and re-check those items before your next MOT.

If you’re unsure what your advisories mean or which jobs to prioritise, AutoAdvice Online can help. Get clear, expert MOT guidance at www.autoadviceonline.com – so you can keep your car safe, legal and on the road without wasting money.