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More servicesMOT Advisory vs MOT Failure — What Is the Difference?
30 May 2026 · 3 min read
Your MOT result: pass, fail, or advisory
An MOT pass means your car is safe and legal to drive. A fail means one or more safety-critical components need repair before the car can be driven on the road. An advisory means a component is not yet at the failure threshold but will be soon — you should plan to fix it before the next MOT to avoid a fail.
Many drivers worry about advisories, but they are actually helpful — you get early warning before something becomes a safety issue.
What is an advisory?
An advisory is issued when a component is worn but still within safe limits. For example, a brake pad with 2mm thickness might be advisory (safe now, worn soon) while 1mm or less is a fail. Similarly, a tyre with 2–3mm tread might be advisory (legal now, bald soon) while less than 1.6mm is a fail.
At ER Automotive in Smethwick, we explain advisories clearly and tell you whether you can safely ignore it until next year or should fix it sooner. A brake pad advisory, for example, should be fixed within a month or two to avoid surprise failure.
When to fix an advisory before the next MOT
If your advisory is on a critical item like brakes, suspension, or lights, plan to fix it within 2–3 months. If it is on a minor item like a number plate light, you have more time. The rule of thumb is: if you are doing 1,000+ miles a month, wear will accelerate, so act sooner.
Call us on 0121 461 6097 after your MOT advisory and we will advise on timing and cost. Fixing an advisory now is almost always cheaper than repairing a failed component later.