What Do MOT Advisories Mean — and Should You Worry?

Here's something most used car buyers don't realise: a car can pass its MOT and still be hiding a £1,000 repair bill in plain sight.

It's called an advisory — and if you don't know how to read one, you could end up paying for someone else's deferred maintenance the moment you drive off.

This guide explains exactly what advisories mean, which ones matter, and how to use them to your advantage when buying a used car.

What is an MOT advisory?

Since 2018, every MOT result falls into one of three categories:

• Dangerous — immediate safety risk. The car fails and must not be driven.
• Major — significant defect. The car fails and must be repaired before use.
• Minor — noted defect that doesn't yet affect safety. The car passes.

Advisories sit alongside these. They're the tester's way of saying: "This isn't a problem today — but it will be." They're recorded on the certificate so there's a paper trail, whether the owner acts on them or not.

That paper trail is exactly what you need to read before buying.

The advisories that actually matter

Not all advisories carry the same weight. Here's how to separate the routine from the expensive:

🔴 Take seriously

Corrosion on brake pipes or structural components — surface rust on bodywork is cosmetic. Rust on brake pipes, subframes, or chassis rails is a structural and safety issue. Repairs can run into hundreds or thousands of pounds depending on severity.

Suspension components showing wear — bushes, ball joints, and track rod ends deteriorate gradually. When flagged as an advisory, they have play but haven't failed yet. These are often expensive to fix (£200–£600 per corner) and directly affect handling and safety.

Brake pads or discs worn — a full brake replacement on both axles can cost £300–£500. If this advisory has appeared twice without being addressed, that's money the seller should have spent — not you.

🟡 Worth monitoring

Tyre wear approaching the legal limit — new tyres cost £60–£150 each. If multiple tyres are flagged, factor that directly into your offer. The legal minimum tread depth is 1.6mm — below that, the car fails.

Oil or fluid leaks — a minor seep today can become a major leak by next year. Ask the seller what the source is and whether it's been investigated.

Windscreen chips or cracks — outside the driver's field of view, this is advisory territory. Chips can usually be repaired for £20–£30. Cracks that spread become a failure — and a full windscreen replacement can cost £200–£400.

🟢 Usually fine

Wiper blades worn — replace them yourself for £15. Not worth a second thought.

Number plate light not working — a £2 bulb. Move on.

The question that matters more than the advisory itself

When you're looking at a used car's MOT history, don't just ask what the advisory is. Ask how many times it's appeared.

A single advisory on an otherwise clean history is perfectly normal. Cars wear out — that's expected. But this pattern tells a very different story:

• 2021 MOT: "Brake pads worn, monitor"
• 2022 MOT: "Brake pads worn, monitor"
• 2023 MOT: "Brake pads worn, monitor"

Three years of the same advisory means one thing: the owner knew about it and chose not to fix it. You're now looking at a car that needs new brakes — and a seller who's been hoping you wouldn't notice.

That's not a dealbreaker. That's a negotiating chip worth £300 off the asking price.

How to use advisories when negotiating

Most buyers ignore advisories entirely. Smart buyers use them as leverage.

• Get a rough repair quote before viewing — a quick call to a local garage gives you a ballpark. Walk in knowing the numbers.
• Ask the seller directly — "I noticed the last MOT flagged the brake pads. Has that been done?" Their answer (and hesitation) tells you a lot.
• Request receipts — if they claim it's been fixed, ask for proof. A legitimate seller will have it.
• Factor unresolved advisories into your offer — don't pay full price for a car that needs £400 of work on day one.

What a clean advisory history actually looks like

For context: a well-maintained car will typically have a few minor advisories over its lifetime — wiper blades here, a tyre there. What you want to see is:

• No repeat advisories on the same component across multiple years
• No advisories on safety-critical parts (brakes, suspension, steering) in the last 1–2 years
• Evidence that past advisories were resolved (either absent from later tests, or seller has receipts)

That's a car that's been looked after. Everything else is a conversation — or a reason to keep looking.

The bottom line

Advisories are information. Most buyers glance at them and move on. The ones who read them carefully — who spot the pattern, ask the right questions, and negotiate accordingly — consistently get better cars for less money.

You now know how to be one of those buyers.