What Does an MOT Advisory Mean?
Published 12 October 2026. Guidance, not legal advice. Figures are correct at the time of writing.
An MOT advisory is a defect noted by the tester that is not serious enough to fail the vehicle. The car still passes its MOT, but the tester is flagging something that could worsen over time and may cause a failure at the next test.
The Three MOT Defect Categories
Since May 2018, DVSA testers have recorded defects in three categories:
| Category | Result | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Dangerous | Fail | An immediate road risk. Do not drive the vehicle. |
| Major | Fail | A significant defect. The car cannot be used on the road until repaired. |
| Minor | Pass with defects | A defect present but not serious enough to fail. Recorded on the certificate. |
An advisory sits alongside the minor category but is slightly different. An advisory is something the tester has noticed that does not yet meet the threshold for even a minor defect, but that warrants monitoring. Both minor defects and advisories appear on the pass certificate and in the vehicle's DVSA MOT history.
Why Advisories Matter
An advisory is not a failure, but it is not nothing either. Common examples include:
- A tyre with legal tread depth but showing wear that suggests it will need replacing before the next test
- A brake disc that is wearing but still within limits
- Slight corrosion on a structural component that is not yet serious
- A small oil or fluid leak that is not causing a hazard
- Suspension components with minor play or wear
Each of these is a signpost. Ignore them and the underlying problem often becomes a major defect or a dangerous one by the time the car goes back for its next MOT. In some cases, a cheap advisory fix today prevents an expensive repair or an outright failure in twelve months.
How to Read an Advisory on the Certificate
Every advisory is written in plain language on the MOT certificate and in the DVSA's online records. The tester records the specific component and location, for example "nearside front tyre worn close to the legal limit" or "rear brake disc worn, corroded".
If you are looking at a car you own, dig out the paper certificate or check the digital record. If you are considering buying a used car, you can check the full MOT history, including every advisory ever recorded, for free from the registration number using a service such as BeakCheck. A car with the same advisory appearing year after year, never resolved, tells you something important about how the previous owner maintained it.
What to Do After an Advisory
If it is your own car:
- Read the advisory carefully and note the specific component.
- Book it in with a trusted garage if you are unsure of the severity. Even if the car has just passed, some advisories are worth dealing with immediately.
- Do not wait until the next MOT. A tyre close to the legal minimum of 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the tread could be illegal within a few thousand miles.
- Keep a record of what was done and when, as this helps at the next test and adds value if you sell the car.
If you are buying a used car:
Look at the full MOT history before you commit. Check how many advisories the car has accumulated, whether the same items keep appearing, and whether recent advisories have been addressed. A single advisory on a recent test is rarely a problem. A long list of recurring advisories on brakes, suspension or tyres on a car with high mileage deserves a harder look, and possibly an independent inspection.
Advisories and Mileage: Spotting a Problem
The DVSA records the mileage at every MOT test, and this data is publicly available in the test history. If the mileage shown at one test is lower than at an earlier test, that is a strong warning sign of clocking or a recording error. Cross-reference each advisory with the mileage at the time to get a fuller picture of how the car has been used and maintained. BeakCheck pulls this history together in one place from the registration number, at no cost.
When Is an Advisory More Serious Than It Looks?
Some advisories sound minor but carry real consequences:
- Brake wear advisories on all four corners of a high-mileage car can mean the car needs a full brake overhaul, not just a pad change.
- Catalytic converter or DPF advisories are worth taking seriously. Removing a DPF or catalytic converter to solve the problem is an MOT failure and an offence under the Road Traffic Act.
- Structural or chassis corrosion advisories can escalate quickly, particularly on older cars or those used in coastal areas.
If in doubt, ask a garage to inspect the advisory item specifically. Many will do a quick visual check without charge.
The Bottom Line
An MOT advisory means "this is fine for now, but watch it." A pass is still a pass, and the car is legal to drive. What you do next, whether you are the owner or a prospective buyer, depends on what the advisory is, how long it has been there, and whether there is evidence it has been dealt with. Treat the advisory list as useful information rather than an irrelevance, and you will stay safer and spend less money in the long run.
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