What Happens If Brake Pads Worn Out During MOT Test?

Inspection of your vehicle regularly is important to maintain it in good condition. If you ignore faulty or worn-out brakes then it can become the cause of putting your vehicle and you in danger. 

Later this can lead to expensive repairs. If you are looking for an MOT Erdington then you can visit us we have an expert team of testers who will inspect your vehicle in less than an hour. Brakes are one of the most used components in your vehicle, so it’s obvious your brake pads will experience wear and tear over time, but can your vehicle fail in MOT because of worn-out brakes?

In this blog post, we are going to talk about different brake issues which can cause MOT failure. If you are interested in knowing more about MOT failure then keep reading.

Will My Vehicle Fail Its MOT Due to Worn Brake Pads?

During an MOT test, the tester will check your vehicle's brake discs and pads. If they find out that your vehicle has worn brake pads, they will fail your vehicle in the test. 

If the lining of the brake pads wears away, then it will create a negative impact on braking efficiency. So if the brake pads are worn below 1.5mm then it becomes the reason for MOT failure.

If you notice that your brake pads soon reach the legal limit, then you may get an advisory warning instead from the tester to replace the brake pads with new ones. Most of the time this happens when your brake pads are below three meters. 

On average brake pads last approximately fifty thousand miles with proper care, but this number changes depending on the driving style of the driver and the road you are driving on. 

How Are Brakes Tested During an MOT Test?

The tester will inspect your vehicle's braking system to know the physical condition and efficiency of the braking system. They will check different braking components which are located underneath the vehicle. When the MOT tester checks the brake system they will inspect the condition of the following: 

• Brakes 
• Brake fluid 
• Handbrake 
• Anti-lock braking system (ABS) 
• Electronic braking system (EBS) 

The tester visually inspects the brake pads and looks for any wear and tear on the braking system

They will also check the ABS warning lights and its other operations during the MOT inspection. If the footbrake touches the floor, the brake pedal rubber or pedal pivot is worn out, or the servo assistance system is not working then the tester can fail you in MOT. 

The brake pedal will fail if the test finds out the grooves or raised grip sections on the pedal are completely worn out. However, if your vehicle was manufactured with a brake pedal which does not have anti-slip material or grooves then the tester will not fail the brake pedal.

Most modern vehicles have dashboard warning lights. It can show most of the problems of your vehicle on the dashboard such as when the brake pads are wearing out.

The MOT tester will easily fail your vehicle if they these warning lights without checking the components. So replace your brake pads or other faculty brake components before going for the test.

Brake Problems Which Result in MOT Failure

There are several common brake issues which can become the cause of MOT failure. 

Brake Juddering (Steering & Suspension Vibration) 

When you apply your brakes you may notice a slite juddering. This can happen by the brake pads pressing unevenly on the brake discs. You can also feel the steering vibration if you leave your vehicle parked for longer periods.

If the is some residue on the brakes because of hard stopping or if the disc brake has warped from keeping your foot on the brake in traffic then this can also lead to a juddering sensation. 

Issues in Brake Pedal

As we said earlier if the grooves or raised grip sections of the brake pedal are completely worn, this will result in MOT failure, unless the vehicle was manufactured with a brake pedal that does not have grooves or anti-slip material.  

Contaminated or Leaking Brake Fluid

If the brake fluid is contaminated they will treat it as a defect. Your vehicle will fail in the MOT test if the tester can clearly see the brake fluid is contaminated. If the brake fluid is leaking, it can be a dangerous fault in the eye of the MOT tester.

Some minor defects which the tester takes into consideration include the minimum level of brake fluid, or the brake fluid warning light being illuminated. However, these minor defects will not lead to an MOT failure right away, but you will be advised by the tester to resolve these defects as soon as possible.

Conclusion

We hope that you learn about some brake problems which can lead to MOT failure. If you want your car to pass its MOT test then one thing you can do to ensure it passes, you perform car service Erdington. By performing regular maintenance you identify any major and minor issues going on in your car and fix them before going for the test.