The Growing Problem of MOT Advisory Apathy: Why More Than 750,000 Drivers Ignored Warnings and Failed Anyway

One in six drivers who ignore MOT advisories go on to suffer a breakdown or collision, according to new research – raising fresh concerns about the growing problem of “advisory apathy” among UK motorists.

While most drivers understand the importance of passing an MOT, many appear to be treating advisory notices as optional recommendations rather than early warnings of developing safety defects.

The findings should be of particular interest to MOT testers and garages, as they reinforce the critical role advisory notices play in preventing future failures, roadside breakdowns and potentially serious safety incidents.

One in Six Drivers Suffer Consequences

New research from the RAC found that 17% of motorists who ignored advisory items identified during their MOT subsequently experienced a vehicle breakdown or were involved in a collision as a result. The motoring organisation estimates this could affect around six million drivers across the UK.

The study also revealed that 44% of drivers whose vehicles recently underwent an MOT received one or more advisory notices. However, not all acted on them promptly:

• 36% had repairs carried out before collecting their vehicle.
• 11% delayed repairs for at least a month.
• 39% admitted they did not intend to have all advisory items rectified.

For MOT testers, these figures highlight a concerning disconnect between identifying potential issues and motorists taking action to resolve them.

The Tyre Advisory Problem

Perhaps the most striking evidence of advisory apathy comes from tyre-related MOT data.

Analysis of DVSA figures shows that 2,152,849 vehicles failed their MOT due to tyre defects during 2023-24, making tyres one of the largest single causes of MOT failures.

Even more concerning, 36% of those failures – more than 750,000 vehicles – had previously received tyre-related advisory notices.

In other words, hundreds of thousands of drivers were warned that their tyres were deteriorating but failed to act before returning for their next MOT.

Tyre safety campaign group TyreSafe says more than two million MOT failures occur annually because of tyre defects, with around one million classified as dangerous. Tyres remain the primary cause of MOT failures during the first seven years of a vehicle’s life.

Dangerous Defects Continue to Rise

Tyres are not the only concern.

Industry analysis of MOT data shows that dangerous tyre defects account for around 60% of all dangerous MOT failures, while brake defects account for a further 29%. Suspension-related issues also remain a significant contributor.

Across the UK, approximately 30 million MOT tests are conducted each year, with around 8.7 million resulting in a failure. Tyres, brakes and suspension consistently feature among the most serious defect categories identified by testers.

Many of these failures begin life as advisory notices.

Why Advisory Communication Matters

For MOT testers, the data reinforces the importance of clearly explaining advisory items to customers.

Many motorists still view an MOT pass certificate as a clean bill of health for the next 12 months. In reality, a pass accompanied by multiple advisories may indicate that several components are approaching the point of failure.

An advisory is often the first opportunity to prevent:

• A future MOT failure
• A costly repair bill
• A roadside breakdown
• A dangerous defect developing on the road

When testers take the time to explain the implications of an advisory, customers are more likely to understand the urgency of addressing the issue before it deteriorates further.

MOT History Is More Visible Than Ever

Drivers should also remember that MOT histories are now publicly accessible online.

Repeated advisories for the same unresolved defect can create a visible maintenance record that may affect buyer confidence when a vehicle is sold.

Prospective purchasers routinely check MOT histories before viewing used vehicles, making unresolved advisory patterns easier to spot than ever before.

The Bottom Line

The latest figures suggest the UK has a growing advisory apathy problem.

When more than 750,000 tyre failures have previously been highlighted by MOT testers, it becomes clear that advisories are not simply recommendations – they are early warnings of future failures.

The message for motorists is simple: a pass certificate does not mean a vehicle is maintenance-free for the next 12 months.

And for MOT testers, the data provides further evidence that advisory notices remain one of the most important road safety tools available within the MOT system.