Mechanic warns drivers one thing on windscreen will see cars fail MOTs
A mechanic talked about an unusual cause of MOT failure (stock) (Image: Getty)
Getting your inspection is a nerve-wracking time for many drivers; This is when people find out if their vehicle is roadworthy or if there are any issues that need attention.
MOT is a mandatory test that all vehicles over three years old must pass every year. Although some cars are exempt from MOT and others need to be tested after a year, this is a process that most cars undergo on a regular annual basis.
But some cars break down, and when they do, those problems need to be fixed. Speaking to us about the issue, regional network manager and Kwik Fit experienced mechanic Martin Delahunty shared an unusual reason why cars fail their MOTs, and it’s not always mechanically related.
Martin, an experienced technician, warned drivers to be careful about where they place stickers inside their vehicles, warning drivers not to misplace them on the windshield.
Martin explained that when the windshield wipers are operating, they pass through something called the sweep zone, which is the area the wipers are cleaning. He said if anything was placed in that area it could cause an MOT failure.
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Martin warns people to be careful where they put festival car park stickers (in stock) (Image: Getty)
Asked about some of the strangest causes of an MOT failure, he told us: “When they go to these big shows and get huge stickers for the car park, they decide to put it right in the middle of the passenger side window so it goes over the glass when the wiper is on.
“So you have a swept area, which is the area your wipers control. If anything is in this section, this could be considered a fault at MOT.”
However, he added that MOT testers can remove parts but must inform the driver when doing so. He explained: “MOT testers can remove items such as sat nav or air fresheners that obstruct the driver’s view of the road, but they must inform the driver that they are doing so.
“In some cases, MOT testers may be reluctant to remove sat navs or dashcams if they feel there is a risk of damage to the item or windscreen. “We advise drivers not to place satellite navigation devices or dash cams in the scanned area.”
And it’s not just stickers that can get you into trouble, Martin adds: “You could have rosary beads hanging from the rearview mirror, your dash cam or a navigation device right in the middle of the windshield. These are all failures.”
Keeping the vehicle windshield clean is important for visibility (stock) (Image: Getty)
Martin isn’t the only mechanic to comment on MOT failures in the UK; Andrew Jervis, CEO of motoring experts at ClickMechanic, told the Express that many issues had been repeatedly flagged by testers.
He said: “The most common MOT faults remain surprisingly simple. According to DVSA data, the leading cause of first MOT fault is lighting and electrical faults, accounting for around 11% of faults.
“This is often something as simple as a blown bulb or misaligned headlight, but most drivers now rely entirely on dashboard warnings and not all cars are equipped to warn them when a bulb is failing.”
Andrew added that in addition to lighting problems, the car’s suspension failures were also increasing. He explained: “While the rise of heavier vehicles and SUVs has played a role, deteriorating road conditions and pothole damage are also a major contributing factor.
“Local authority repair budgets are under constant pressure and drivers are paying the price with repeated suspension damage.”
