MOT results explained: dangerous, major, minor and advisory
Updated September 2026
Since 2018 every problem found in an MOT is given a category. The category decides whether the car passes and whether you can legally drive it away.
Dangerous: fail
A direct risk to road safety or the environment. You must not drive the car until it's repaired. Driving with a dangerous defect can mean a fine of up to £2,500, a driving ban and 3 penalty points.
Major: fail
Could affect safety or the environment. The car fails and must be repaired. If your previous MOT is still valid you may drive it, but only if it is roadworthy.
Minor: pass
No significant safety effect. The car passes, and the defect is recorded so you can fix it soon.
Advisory: pass
Something to keep an eye on because it could become worse. Advisories are the best clue to what might fail next year.
Retests
If your car stays at the test centre for repair and is retested within 10 working days, the partial retest is free. If you take it away and bring it back within 10 working days, a partial retest can cost up to half the full fee, although some items are retested free if you return by the end of the next working day. See GOV.UK for the full rules.
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Official rules: GOV.UK: Getting an MOT.