When you look up a car’s MOT history, the pass or fail result is only half the story. The real detail is in the advisories: the notes a tester adds about things that aren’t bad enough to fail, but are worth keeping an eye on.
Here’s how to understand MOT advisories and use them to make a smarter buying decision.
What is an MOT advisory?
An advisory is a note from the MOT tester about something that could become a problem in future. It doesn’t cause a fail, and the car can still be legally driven. Think of it as a heads-up: “this is fine for now, but it’s on its way out.”
Advisories sit alongside the official defect categories:
- Dangerous: fail, and the car shouldn’t be driven
- Major: fail, must be repaired
- Minor: pass, but should be repaired soon
- Advisory: pass, monitor it
If you’re new to MOT records, start with our guide to the MOT history checker.
Common MOT advisories and what they mean
| Advisory | What it means | How worried should you be? |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre worn close to legal limit | Tread is near the 1.6mm minimum | Low. Budget for new tyres soon. |
| Brake pads or discs wearing thin | Brakes will need replacing | Low to medium. A routine cost. |
| Oil leak | Oil is seeping from the engine or gearbox | Medium. Could be minor or a sign of something bigger. |
| Suspension component worn | Bushes, joints or arms are wearing | Medium. Can affect handling and tyre wear. |
| Corrosion on brake pipes | Pipes are rusting | Medium. Needs attention before it becomes a fail. |
| Corrosion on sills or subframe | Structural parts are rusting | High. Structural rust can be costly or unfixable. |
| Exhaust leaking or corroded | Exhaust system is deteriorating | Low to medium. Depends on the part. |
Patterns tell you more than single advisories
One advisory on its own is rarely a problem. Every car wears out. What you’re looking for is the pattern over several years:
- Advisories that get fixed: a good sign. The owner looked after the car.
- The same advisory every year: the owner may have done the bare minimum.
- Advisories that become fails: problems were ignored until they had to be fixed.
- Growing lists of advisories: the car may be reaching the expensive stage of its life.
Advisories to take seriously
Some advisories deserve extra caution:
- Structural corrosion: rust on sills, chassis rails, subframes or suspension mounts can be expensive, and sometimes impossible, to repair properly.
- Repeated oil leaks: may point to worn seals or gaskets that need significant work.
- Steering components: wear here affects safety and should be checked by a mechanic.
If you see these, get an independent inspection before you buy.
How to use advisories to negotiate
Advisories give you facts to bargain with. Before viewing, make a list from the latest MOT and get a rough idea of repair costs. Then, when you see the car:
- Ask whether each advisory has been fixed, and if so, ask for the receipt.
- If it hasn’t been fixed, use the likely repair cost to justify a lower offer.
- Stay polite and factual. “The MOT shows the front discs and two tyres need replacing soon, so I’d like to reflect that in the price” works well.
What advisories won’t tell you
MOT advisories show the car’s condition on test day only. They won’t reveal outstanding finance, stolen records or write-offs. For those, you’ll need a full check. Our complete guide to vehicle history checks explains what to look for.
CheckHPI’s free check shows MOT and tax details for any UK car. Unlock the full HPI check to add finance, stolen, write-off and mileage records from £9.99.
The bottom line
MOT advisories are a free window into how a car has been maintained. Look for patterns, take structural rust seriously, and use repair costs to negotiate. Combined with a full history check and a good test drive, they’ll help you buy with confidence.
Frequently asked questions
What is an MOT advisory?
An MOT advisory is a note from the tester about a problem that isn't serious enough to fail the car but may need attention in future, such as worn tyres or minor corrosion.
Can you drive a car with MOT advisories?
Yes. Advisories don't affect the pass result, so the car is legal to drive. You should still get the issues checked and fixed in good time.
Should I buy a car with lots of MOT advisories?
It depends on what they are. Tyres and brakes are routine costs, but structural corrosion or recurring leaks deserve caution and an independent inspection.
Do MOT advisories affect a car's value?
They can. If advisories point to upcoming repairs, it's reasonable to negotiate a lower price to cover the cost.
