A Recent MOT Fail
Table of Contents
A Recent MOT Fail
A Recent MOT Fail
A Recent MOT Fail – The Little Fault That Could Have Been Dangerous
Running a busy garage like Pellon Tyre and Autocentre in Halifax means that we see all sorts of vehicles every day. Some come in for routine servicing, some for tyres, and others arrive for their annual MOT test.
Most cars pass without too much trouble, but occasionally we come across a vehicle that reminds us just how important the MOT test really is.
Earlier this week we had one such case.
The Car Arrives for Its MOT Test: A Recent MOT Fail
The customer arrived with a small family hatchback that had been running well by their own admission. In fact, the driver told us that they were fairly confident the car would pass its MOT without any problems.
At Pellon Tyres in Halifax, our MOT tester Dale always carries out the checks in a calm and methodical way. We believe that doing things properly is the only way to keep customers safe on the road.
You can read more about how MOT testing works on the official government site here:
https://www.gov.uk/getting-an-mot
The vehicle went up on the ramp, and the inspection began.
At first glance, everything looked fairly normal.
But as we often say in the garage world, it’s what you can’t see straight away that sometimes matters the most.
A Serious Brake Problem Discovered: A Recent MOT Fail
During the brake inspection, Dale noticed something that immediately caught his attention.
The rear brake discs were badly worn and heavily corroded.
Now, a lot of drivers don’t realise that brake discs can rust and deteriorate over time, especially if the car is used mainly for short local journeys around town.
Halifax, like many Yorkshire towns, has plenty of hills, damp weather, and the occasional salty winter road. All of this can take its toll on braking components.
In this particular case, the corrosion had reached a point where the braking surface was no longer safe. The brake pads were also unevenly worn and were no longer making full contact with the discs.
Under MOT regulations, this meant the car could not pass the test.
You can read more about brake safety here:
https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/advice/car-maintenance/brake-problems/
Why Brake Problems Are So Important: A Recent MOT Fail
Brakes are, without question, one of the most critical safety systems on any vehicle.
When a driver presses the brake pedal, they expect the car to stop smoothly and safely. If the discs or pads are worn out, stopping distances can increase dramatically.
In wet weather, which we see plenty of here in West Yorkshire, worn brakes can become even more dangerous.
This is exactly why the MOT test exists—to identify problems before they lead to an accident.
Explaining the Problem to the Customer
We always try to explain faults clearly to customers so they understand exactly what has happened.
In this case, the driver was surprised because they hadn’t noticed any obvious braking issues.
However, brake wear often happens gradually. Drivers become used to the way the car feels, so they may not notice the deterioration over time.
Once we showed the customer the worn discs and pads, they could immediately see why the MOT had failed.
Carrying Out the Repairs: A Recent MOT Fail
Fortunately, the repair itself was fairly straightforward.
We fitted:
• New rear brake discs
• New rear brake pads
• A full brake system inspection
Once the work was completed, the vehicle went back through the MOT retest and passed without any further problems.
The customer drove away with a much safer car.
You can find out more about our garage services here:
https://www.pellontyres.co.uk/
Why Regular Maintenance Matters
This story highlights an important point.
Many drivers wait until the MOT test before discovering problems with their vehicle.
But having your car checked regularly can help prevent unexpected MOT failures.
At Pellon Tyre and Autocentre, we always recommend keeping an eye on:
- brake wear
- tyre condition
- suspension components
- steering parts
All of these areas are inspected during the MOT test and can affect your vehicle’s safety.
A Garage with a Long Local History: A Recent MOT Failure
Pellon Tyre and Autocentre has been serving motorists in Halifax and the surrounding Yorkshire area since 1989.
Over the years we have seen thousands of vehicles pass through our workshop, from small city cars to large vans and family SUVs.
Every MOT test tells its own story, and occasionally we come across faults that remind us just how important regular checks really are.
Final Thoughts
The good news in this case was that the problem was found during the MOT test rather than during an emergency stop on the road.
After the brake repairs, the customer left with a vehicle that was safe, reliable, and fully road legal again.
And that, at the end of the day, is exactly what the MOT system is designed to achieve.
