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MOT advisory guides

Browse common MOT advisory guides to understand what warning notes mean, why buyers should care and when an issue may be worth negotiating or investigating further.

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Popular MOT advisory guides

Start here if you want quick explanations of common MOT warning signs that often matter to used car buyers.

Brake pads wearing thin advisory meaning

Understand what this MOT advisory means, why it matters and what buyers should check next.

Brake discs worn, pitted or scored advisory meaning

Understand what this MOT advisory means, why it matters and what buyers should check next.

Brake pipe corroded advisory meaning

Understand what this MOT advisory means, why it matters and what buyers should check next.

Brake hose deteriorated advisory meaning

Understand what this MOT advisory means, why it matters and what buyers should check next.

Parking brake efficiency low advisory meaning

Understand what this MOT advisory means, why it matters and what buyers should check next.

Parking brake binding or not fully releasing advisory meaning

Understand what this MOT advisory means, why it matters and what buyers should check next.

Brake imbalance approaching limit advisory meaning

Understand what this MOT advisory means, why it matters and what buyers should check next.

ABS warning indicator illuminated advisory meaning

Understand what this MOT advisory means, why it matters and what buyers should check next.

Minor brake fluid leak / seepage advisory meaning

Understand what this MOT advisory means, why it matters and what buyers should check next.

Master cylinder / servo seepage advisory meaning

Understand what this MOT advisory means, why it matters and what buyers should check next.

Rear brakes corroded / restricted use advisory meaning

Understand what this MOT advisory means, why it matters and what buyers should check next.

Brake backplate / dust shield insecure advisory meaning

Understand what this MOT advisory means, why it matters and what buyers should check next.

Brake pedal travel excessive advisory meaning

Understand what this MOT advisory means, why it matters and what buyers should check next.

Handbrake cable corroded / stiff advisory meaning

Understand what this MOT advisory means, why it matters and what buyers should check next.

Electronic parking brake fault stored advisory meaning

Understand what this MOT advisory means, why it matters and what buyers should check next.

Track rod end has slight play advisory meaning

Understand what this MOT advisory means, why it matters and what buyers should check next.

Steering rack gaiter deteriorated or damaged advisory meaning

Understand what this MOT advisory means, why it matters and what buyers should check next.

Power steering fluid leak / seepage advisory meaning

Understand what this MOT advisory means, why it matters and what buyers should check next.

Slight steering column / joint play advisory meaning

Understand what this MOT advisory means, why it matters and what buyers should check next.

Steering wheel off-centre advisory meaning

Understand what this MOT advisory means, why it matters and what buyers should check next.

Electric power steering warning history advisory meaning

Understand what this MOT advisory means, why it matters and what buyers should check next.

Steering rack mounting worn advisory meaning

Understand what this MOT advisory means, why it matters and what buyers should check next.

Inner steering joint has play advisory meaning

Understand what this MOT advisory means, why it matters and what buyers should check next.

Uneven steering assistance advisory meaning

Understand what this MOT advisory means, why it matters and what buyers should check next.

Subframe corrosion affecting steering mount area advisory meaning

Understand what this MOT advisory means, why it matters and what buyers should check next.

Windscreen chip outside immediate fail zone advisory meaning

Understand what this MOT advisory means, why it matters and what buyers should check next.

Small windscreen crack advisory meaning

Understand what this MOT advisory means, why it matters and what buyers should check next.

Wiper blades deteriorated advisory meaning

Understand what this MOT advisory means, why it matters and what buyers should check next.

Washer jets misaligned or weak advisory meaning

Understand what this MOT advisory means, why it matters and what buyers should check next.

Washer system weak / low performance advisory meaning

Understand what this MOT advisory means, why it matters and what buyers should check next.

Popular model problem guides

These model guides add broader used car context around the kinds of issues that often show up in MOT history.

Audi A1 common problems

Read the broader used buyer guide for this model and compare ownership risks.

Audi A3 common problems

Read the broader used buyer guide for this model and compare ownership risks.

Audi A4 common problems

Read the broader used buyer guide for this model and compare ownership risks.

Audi A5 common problems

Read the broader used buyer guide for this model and compare ownership risks.

Audi Q3 common problems

Read the broader used buyer guide for this model and compare ownership risks.

Audi Q5 common problems

Read the broader used buyer guide for this model and compare ownership risks.

BMW 1 Series common problems

Read the broader used buyer guide for this model and compare ownership risks.

BMW 3 Series common problems

Read the broader used buyer guide for this model and compare ownership risks.

BMW 5 Series common problems

Read the broader used buyer guide for this model and compare ownership risks.

BMW X1 common problems

Read the broader used buyer guide for this model and compare ownership risks.

BMW X3 common problems

Read the broader used buyer guide for this model and compare ownership risks.

BMW X5 common problems

Read the broader used buyer guide for this model and compare ownership risks.

Browse advisories by category

Explore MOT advisory topics grouped by category.

Body / structure

Bumper insecure advisory meaning Coolant leak / staining visible advisory meaning Door check strap / hinge wear advisory meaning Door lock not operating correctly advisory meaning Engine oil leak / seepage advisory meaning Engine undertray loose / damaged advisory meaning Exhaust corroded advisory meaning Floorpan corrosion advisory meaning Fuel line corroded advisory meaning Gearbox oil leak / seepage advisory meaning Inner wing corrosion advisory meaning Minor exhaust leak advisory meaning

Brakes

ABS warning indicator illuminated advisory meaning Brake backplate / dust shield insecure advisory meaning Brake discs worn, pitted or scored advisory meaning Brake hose deteriorated advisory meaning Brake imbalance approaching limit advisory meaning Brake pads wearing thin advisory meaning Brake pedal travel excessive advisory meaning Brake pipe corroded advisory meaning Electronic parking brake fault stored advisory meaning Handbrake cable corroded / stiff advisory meaning Master cylinder / servo seepage advisory meaning Minor brake fluid leak / seepage advisory meaning

Lamps / electrical

12V socket / accessory power fault advisory meaning Battery condition weak advisory meaning Battery insecure or mounting poor advisory meaning Brake light intermittent advisory meaning Charging system warning history advisory meaning Electrical wiring chafed or insecure advisory meaning Fusebox / electrical compartment shows moisture advisory meaning Headlamp aim slightly incorrect advisory meaning Headlamp output weak or bulb dim advisory meaning Indicator repeater faulty advisory meaning Non-critical dashboard warning light present advisory meaning Number plate light out advisory meaning

Nuisance / emissions

AdBlue system may trigger no-start advisory meaning Catalyst efficiency low / warning stored advisory meaning Coolant temperature fluctuation noted advisory meaning DPF warning / regeneration needed advisory meaning Engine noise increased advisory meaning EV / hybrid battery cooling system seepage advisory meaning Exhaust emissions close to test limit advisory meaning Exhaust noise above expected advisory meaning General fluid leak / seepage advisory meaning MIL / check engine light on advisory meaning Smoke under load observed advisory meaning

Other equipment

AdBlue countdown / warning displayed advisory meaning Air conditioning not cooling effectively advisory meaning Airbag warning light illuminated advisory meaning Engine management light illuminated advisory meaning ESC / stability control warning light advisory meaning Horn weak or intermittent advisory meaning Immobiliser / key recognition warning advisory meaning Keyless entry / start fault advisory meaning Onboard charger / charging warning present advisory meaning Parking brake switch / button fault advisory meaning Seat belt warning light issue advisory meaning Speedometer / display issue advisory meaning

Steering

Electric power steering warning history advisory meaning Inner steering joint has play advisory meaning Power steering fluid leak / seepage advisory meaning Slight steering column / joint play advisory meaning Steering rack gaiter deteriorated or damaged advisory meaning Steering rack mounting worn advisory meaning Steering wheel off-centre advisory meaning Subframe corrosion affecting steering mount area advisory meaning Track rod end has slight play advisory meaning Uneven steering assistance advisory meaning

Tyres / suspension

Alloy wheel damaged or buckled advisory meaning Anti-roll bar drop link worn advisory meaning Ball joint has slight play advisory meaning Coil spring corroded advisory meaning Coil spring fractured at end advisory meaning CV boot deteriorated / starting to split advisory meaning Driveshaft vibration noted advisory meaning Front tyres nearing legal tread limit advisory meaning Leaf spring / rear spring wear advisory meaning Rear axle / beam bush worn advisory meaning Rear shock bush worn advisory meaning Rear tyres nearing legal tread limit advisory meaning

Visibility

Bonnet catch operation stiff advisory meaning Headlamp lens cloudy / deteriorated advisory meaning Heater / demister performance weak advisory meaning Mirror housing / glass damaged advisory meaning Rear view restricted by damage or accessory advisory meaning Small windscreen crack advisory meaning Washer jets misaligned or weak advisory meaning Washer system weak / low performance advisory meaning Window operation slow / intermittent advisory meaning Windscreen chip outside immediate fail zone advisory meaning Wiper blades deteriorated advisory meaning

Reading an advisory is useful. Checking the exact car is better.

An advisory guide can explain what a note usually means, but it cannot tell you whether the exact car has repeated issues, suspicious gaps or wider price risk. Use the registration check for that.

FAQ

What is an MOT advisory?

An MOT advisory is a note recorded during an MOT test to flag wear, deterioration or a developing issue that does not yet justify a failure.

Should I avoid a car with advisories?

Not necessarily. The important thing is whether the issue looks minor, expensive, repeated or left unresolved over multiple MOT tests.

Why browse advisory guides first?

Because advisory guides help you understand the likely buyer impact of common MOT notes before you decide how serious they are on a specific car.