An MOT advisory is a note made by the tester on items that are not quite bad enough to fail the test but are heading in the wrong direction. The car passes, but the advisory is a warning that something needs attention.
Some MOT advisories are trivial. Some are serious. Knowing the difference matters, especially when buying a used car.
What Advisories Are
Under the current MOT testing framework, advisories fall into two types:
Advisory. The item has a minor defect that does not affect safety right now but could get worse. The tester flags it for the owner's awareness.
Minor defect. A minor defect that should be repaired but is not serious enough to prevent a pass. These show up separately in the results.
In everyday language, most people use "advisory" to cover both.
Common Advisories and What They Mean
Tyre wear approaching the legal limit. Tyres must have a minimum of 1.6mm of tread. An advisory on tread depth means the tyre is legal now but will not be for long. Budget for new tyres.
Brake pads or discs wearing. Brakes are wearing but still within legal limits. They will need replacement before the next test.
Oil or fluid leak. Minor seepage noted. This can range from trivial to the beginning of a more significant issue.
Corrosion. Surface rust is common and often advisory-level. Structural rust - on the sills, subframe, or floor - is more serious and can move to a failure quickly.
Suspension components worn. Bushes, track rod ends, or ball joints showing wear. These can affect steering and handling.
Headlamp aim. The headlights are slightly misaligned. Usually easy to adjust.
When Advisories Should Concern You
A single advisory on a common item is not usually a cause for concern. The patterns and severity matter.
The same advisory appears across multiple tests. If the tester noted suspension wear in 2020, 2021, and 2022 and the owner has never addressed it, the component is well past overdue.
Structural rust advisories. Rust on structural components - sills, chassis legs, subframe mounts - can move from advisory to failure very quickly. Get these inspected properly before buying.
Progressive advisories. An advisory that was minor one year and more serious the next is deteriorating. That trajectory tells you the owner is not addressing issues.
Multiple advisories on the same system. Three advisories on steering and suspension at the same test suggests a neglected car.
Using Advisories to Negotiate
If a car has advisories at its most recent test, those represent known issues that need addressing. They are legitimate grounds for price negotiation.
Get quotes for the work before you negotiate. If the advisories indicate tyres, brakes, and a suspension bush, use those estimates to justify a lower price.
How to Check MOT Advisories Before Buying
Read the full MOT history including all advisories before you view any used car. Run a vehicle history check at Bad Drivers UK - it compiles the full MOT data alongside finance and stolen checks so you see the complete picture in one place.
FAQ
Do MOT advisories have to be fixed immediately?
No. An advisory means the item is not bad enough to fail the test today. But it does need monitoring and will likely require attention before the next test. Some advisories, like structural rust, can deteriorate quickly and should be addressed promptly.
Can you negotiate a lower price based on MOT advisories?
Yes. Advisories represent known issues that need repair. Get quotes for the work and use those to negotiate a lower purchase price. This is a legitimate and common approach when buying a used car.
What is the difference between an MOT advisory and a minor defect?
Under current MOT rules, a minor defect is recorded separately from an advisory. Both allow the car to pass, but minor defects are items that should be repaired soon. Advisories are earlier-stage concerns to monitor. Both appear on the test record.
