Meta Description: Avoid common MOT mistakes in Aldershot! Learn the top 12 errors drivers make and expert tips to pass your MOT smoothly every time.
Top 12 MOT Mistakes Drivers in Aldershot Make (and How to Avoid Them)
Most MOT failures in Aldershot come down to basic issues, blown lights, worn tyres, wipers that don’t clear properly, windscreen visibility problems, and old advisories that were never fixed. Sort these simple things early, and you’ll breeze through your test. Let’s keep it real for a second. Drivers in Aldershot aren’t failing MOTs because their cars are falling apart.
They’re failing because the tiny, fixable details slip through the cracks. You know the drill: school run on the A325, last-minute rush to the test center, your engine light decides to wake up, and suddenly your MOT is a fail. The annoying part? Most of those failures could’ve been handled in ten minutes on the driveway. So let’s break this down properly, with some context, some personality, and some real-world fixes.
- Lights and visibility mistakes
Lights failing the MOT is basically a rite of passage now, but it doesn’t have to be. One blown bulb and the tester marks you down. Indicators, brake lights, fog lights, and rear lights. If even one doesn’t work, your MOT guy won’t pass it.
Think about it: Aldershot roads are packed, and visibility matters. If a brake light is out on a rainy morning near Wellington Roundabout, you’re not only risking an MOT fail, you’re risking someone slamming into you.
How to avoid it:
Grab someone and do a quick 60-second walk-around. Press brakes, signal left, signal right, check reverse lights, fog lights, the whole set. It’s basically the cheapest MOT insurance you can get.
- Tyre issues that cause instant fails
Tyres are the second most common MOT fail reason, especially with Aldershot’s constant stop-and-go traffic. If your tread is below 1.6 mm, that’s an automatic fail. But the silent killer? Inner-edge wear. You don’t see that unless the wheels are turned and it’s the kind of wear the tester spots instantly.
Cuts, bulges or mixing tyre sizes on the same axle = hard fail.
How to avoid it:
Do the 20p test. Turn your wheels outward so you can see the inside edges. Check pressure while you’re at it. Underinflated tyres wear faster and unevenly, which is exactly what gets you caught out at MOT time.
- Wipers and washer fluid problems
It sounds too simple to be true, but wipers that smear or skip will get you failed. Tester’s logic is simple: if your screen isn’t clear, visibility is unsafe.
How to avoid it:
Replace wiper blades that drag or jump. Fill the washer fluid. If it’s empty, your tester can’t check the jet spray properly and they’ll mark you down.
- Windscreen chips + clutter
A chip in Zone A (driver’s direct vision area) bigger than 10 mm is an MOT fail. Doesn’t matter if you “don’t notice it anymore”, your tester does. And honestly, those air fresheners people hang from the mirror are lowkey dangerous during a test. They block visibility just enough to count.
How to avoid it:
Repair chips early, the resin repair takes 15 minutes. Remove dash mounts, phone holders, stickers, temporary passes, all that stuff.
- Number plate fails
Number plates are non-negotiable for MOT testing. If they’re dirty, cracked, faded or incorrectly spaced, you fail. Aldershot’s rainy mornings and muddy side streets don’t help, plates collect grime fast.
How to avoid it:
Clean the plates before leaving home. Tighten loose screws. Replace cracked plates, they’re cheap, and an instant fix.
- Dashboard warning lights
This is where people lose their cool. That little orange engine light? Yeah, that’s a fail. ABS light on? Fail. Airbag light? Fail.
Testers legally can’t pass a car that’s throwing safety or emissions warnings.
How to avoid it:
Scan the car with an OBD reader. If you don’t have one, borrow one from a friend or pick up a basic scanner. Fix what comes up before your MOT.
- Cold engine emissions fails
A cold engine emits higher levels of pollutants. Aldershot’s short-distance driving to the test centre (especially if you live near North Town) means cars often arrive cold.
How to avoid it:
Take a 10–15 minute drive before your test so the engine warms up properly.
- Missing or tampered DPF
Diesel drivers, listen up. If your car was manufactured with a DPF (diesel particulate filter) and it’s missing or hollowed out, your car fails immediately. No excuses, no passes, no grey areas.
How to avoid it:
If your DPF is clogged, clean it. Don’t remove it. Illegal removals are fails and could get you fined.
- Seatbelt and buckle checks
Seatbelts are safety-critical. If they fray, click slowly, retract weirdly, or don’t lock when tugged, the tester flags it.
How to avoid it:
Click every belt. Tug it sharply and check that it locks. Let it retract and make sure it rolls smoothly.
- Fuel and oil level mistakes
This one surprises people. If your car doesn’t have enough fuel, the tester can’t run the emissions test. If your oil level is incorrect, testing the car becomes unsafe.
How to avoid it:
Fill at least a quarter tank and ensure your oil sits between min and max.
- VIN/safety identification issues
The tester must confirm your VIN (Vehicle Identification Number). If it’s dirty, faded, scratched or hidden under random stuff, that delays everything and can count as a fail.
How to avoid it:
Clean the VIN plate on the dashboard and the one under the bonnet. Make it easy for the tester.
- Ignoring past advisories
This is honestly the “I’ll do it later” problem. Advisories look harmless, until next year when they become fails. A worn tyre edge, slight brake wear, light corrosion, leave it untouched and you’re pretty much guaranteeing a fail next year.
How to avoid it:
Check past advisories online. Fix them before your test. Easy win.
How Ashroad Service Centre Can Help With Simplifying Your MOT?
When it comes to MOTs, Aldershot drivers trust Ash Road Service Centre for one reason, reliability. From pre-MOT checks and diagnostics to same-day repairs, their certified technicians make sure your car passes without drama. Whether you’re driving from North Camp, Wellington, or Aldershot Town Centre, you can book an appointment that fits your schedule and budget.
✔️ DVSA-approved MOT testing
✔️ Advanced diagnostics and DPF cleaning
✔️ Tyres, brakes, and servicing under one roof
✔️ Honest pricing, expert advice
If you’re due for an MOT or just want a pre-check to avoid last-minute fails, book your MOT in Aldershot today and drive with confidence.
Quick driveway pre-MOT checklist
Before you leave the house, run through this fast:
- lights front + back
- tyre tread + PSI
- washer bottle + wipers
- windscreen cleared
- belts + buckles
- number plates cleaned
- engine warmed before the test
Five minutes = less stress, fewer fails.
Final Thoughts
Here’s the takeaway: most MOT fails aren’t dramatic. They’re not major engine issues or catastrophic faults. They’re tiny, everyday things that you can fix yourself without spending a fortune or booking extra garage time. Aldershot roads already throw enough chaos at you, don’t add an avoidable MOT headache on top. You can also check their Google Business Profile for directions, reviews, and updated opening hours before booking.
