What does "MOT advisory" mean?

An MOT advisory is a warning recorded by the tester about an item that isn't currently serious enough to cause a failure — but that should be monitored or repaired before the next test.

The three MOT outcomes

What does an advisory actually mean for you?

An advisory means your car passed its MOT — but the tester spotted something that's worth keeping an eye on. It's not a fail. You can legally drive the car. But the advisory is a formal notification that the item in question is showing wear or deterioration and may become a failure at a future test.

Some advisories are minor and can be left for a while. Others are more urgent — brake component wear, for example, can progress from advisory to dangerous defect faster than people expect. The right response depends on the specific advisory.

Common examples of MOT advisories

Should I ignore an advisory?

You're legally allowed to, but it's generally not wise. Advisories are the MOT system's way of flagging issues before they become serious failures — or, worse, safety hazards on the road. Addressing an advisory soon after it's issued is almost always cheaper than waiting until it becomes a failure and potentially causes damage in the meantime.