Happy Hallo-wheels!
While most horror stories are set in haunted houses or dark woods, some of the DVSA’s scariest tales come straight from the MOT testing bay.
This year, testers have shared some truly hair-raising sights that would leave the bravest of testers shuddering.
In our latest edition of MOT horror stories, a collection of terrifying tales from the garage floor is revealed.
The Seatbelt Slasher
One tester reported a driver who arrived with a severed seatbelt that had been “repaired” with duct tape. While it might hold a parcel together, it will never hold a life.
Seatbelts are engineered to lock instantly during a crash and withstand enormous forces. A taped-up or frayed belt simply cannot perform its vital function, leaving a vehicle’s occupant dangerously unprotected.
As the front line of defence against unsafe vehicles, a tester’s advice is a vital reminder – the owner is responsible for keeping their seatbelts in good condition, ensuring their car is roadworthy.
The only safe choice is replacement. If the seat belt shows any cuts, frays or stiffness, it must be inspected and replaced – there’s no safe DIY fix.
A Fuel Tank on Elm Street
Another tester was stunned to find a fuel tank held in place with a fuse wire after its original strap had corroded away.
This makeshift repair posed an extremely dangerous hazard.
A fuel tank held in this way can shift or detach under road vibrations or impact, potentially damaging fuel lines and causing leaks.
Just one spark could have catastrophic results – such as causing a fire.
As experienced MOT professionals will be aware, fuel tanks must always be secured using manufacturer-approved fittings and brackets. It's also a good opportunity to remind motorists that DIY repairs of this kind can be incredibly unsafe.
The Corroded Suspension Curse
A Ford KA was brought in after the owner reported steering issues on the motorway. The real problem uncovered during the MOT was far more serious – a coil spring mounting so corroded it had fractured completely.
With the springs no longer safely attached, the vehicle was at risk of instability or loss of control, particularly when cornering or driving over uneven roads.
As testers know, corrosion develops gradually, which is why regular inspections are so important. When corrosion is identified, it’s a good opportunity for garages to promote any additional services they offer, such as vehicle safety checks.
The Cursed Caliper
Not all MOT horrors are the result of wear and tear – some are the result of dangerous shortcuts.
During one test, a brake caliper was discovered with its bleed nipple replaced by a radiator drain tap, glued into place… a true Frankenstein repair.
This wasn’t just a gruesome repair – it was an unsafe modification.
A car’s braking system relies on precision, and using the wrong part could lead to leaking brake fluid, loss of pressure, and even total brake failure.
Spongy brakes, unusual noises, the car pulling to one side, or brake warning lights are all common complaints from customers.
Quick fixes or unapproved modifications – especially involving the braking system – are never safe solutions. Makeshift repairs, incorrect parts, or shortcut fixes put both drivers and other road users at serious risk.
By highlighting these dangers, testers can help prevent small issues from turning into a full-blown horror story on the road.
A stark reminder
We all know that a valid MOT certificate doesn’t automatically guarantee the vehicle is safe to drive for the year.
Encourage motorists to:
- book a mid-year service: this can help catch any lurking issues early and spread maintenance costs throughout the year.
- keep an eye on tyre pressure and condition, fluid levels, wiper blades, and lights regularly throughout the year.
- never ignore any strange noises or warning lights – these are the car’s way of calling for help.
Promoting safety and inspection services available at the garage is an excellent way to help motorists stay on top of their vehicle maintenance and keep their vehicle safe all year round.
We’d love to know what testers think of these MOT horror stories – have you come across any spooky discoveries of your own? Share your thoughts and experiences by leaving a comment below.
31 comments
Comment by David White posted on
"it’s a good opportunity for garages to promote any additional services they offer, such as vehicle safety checks. "
DVSA, you've just outed the MOT as a money making scheme, not a safety scheme. You're own statistics show that the MOT doesn't make cars any safer. 2% ring a bell?
Comment by Rocky posted on
.....and some of the 40+year old MOT exempt vehicles aren't too special either!
Comment by Shaun Stonier Pro-Tech MOT and Automotive Academy posted on
The radiator bleed valve is designed to hold low pressure water, not high pressure oil, coupled with the bonding into the calliper would quite rightly be deemed an unsafe modification, I would be equally concerned about the corroded away brake hose ferrule next to it....... in my opinion.......
I hope the MOT on the KA wasn't being conducted on the two poster........
Evidence, if we needed it, that they really do walk among us....
Comment by Robert Walker posted on
A bad repair, or attempt at a repair but not an acceptable repair is one thing. Finding it in the Testers Manual is something else. These articles would have been more helpful if the Fair Criteria from the Testers Manual was applied, just like in the Assement.
Comment by Steve E posted on
Problem with an MOT test is it’s a mainly visual inspection so no prodding around with an old screwdriver if that sill repair looks iffy after a plate was fastened with rivets and has a kilo of filler over the top of it.
Before buying a car always check its MOT history to spot an uncaring owner who gets advisories (or fails!) for worn tyres, brake pads low thickness and repeats for slight play in suspension components.
Comment by David White posted on
The problem with the MOT being a visual inspection is that DVSA doesn't test eyesight of the "tester".............Because the MOT is a money making scheme, not a safety scheme.
Comment by PJ Charlwood posted on
They wont put the price up of an MOT, but they will want to borrow your phone to photograph the car your're testing...
Comment by M.ibrahim posted on
Am assuming its not just testers to blame its the mot station managers helping freinds the wrong way just to get the name on top of all surrounding mot stations around. Or cant get the works done because no staff due to poor management (big headed) 1 job position not 2in1 seen it all before and just past 4 years being a mot tester. Fails a fail, pass is a pass with advisories. You all can dig at me im becoming the DVSA! ROAD SAFETY FIRST PEOPLE AND OTHER ROAD USERS!
Comment by Paul posted on
Good to see DVLA looking at the humour side of things, but again with most comments on here,how the hell are these vehicles still on the road? Either the garage or the owner of the vehicles or whoever looks after these vehicles should hang their heads in shame, deathtrap spring to mind.
DVLA possibly need to start doing road side stops??? Not just for HGV also for passenger vehicles.
DVLA need to lighten up a little on the good mot garages and be more friendly rather than being aggressive and unfriendly m.
Comment by David White posted on
Are you aware that most countries in the world have no car safety check at all? and those that don't report the same mechanical failure statistics as the UK, at 2%?
Comment by Frank Welham posted on
In the spring saddle shot, the brake pipe in the background looks fairly tasty too 😳😳😳👍
Comment by pumpkin posted on
good job your not a tester as its not a brake pipe trick or
Comment by Jay posted on
Thats the trailing edge of the axle, can only see the brake pipe osr and thats in lovely condition.
Comment by hassen posted on
Wonder if these dangerous repairs were done by irresponsible dogee mechanics cheating people. Normally,the MOT is done with the intention that it will last 12 months, There are cases that can develop dangerous testible items soon after a vehicle has got a Pass.Seeing these pictures frighten and testers should take great care when inspecting a vehicle.
Comment by Gordon posted on
Don’t forget an mot test is done to the minimum req not if it’s going to last twelve months anything’s can happen in one year
Comment by Richardball posted on
The m o t has never been done to with the intention that testable items last twelve months.It passes or fails on the day off the test.the tester will put down minor faults but advisories do not now go on the pass or fail certificate .
Comment by Kevin Plowman posted on
The MOT is for that day, not a prediction of what will last the next year, we have no idea of how far the vehicle will travel in the next 12 months, where and how it will be used and if any maintenance will be done.
The key is to use the advisory system so if for instance a rear spring pan appears corroded but is still solid then it must be marked down as such on the advisory, "corroded but structural integrity not seriously weakened" or something like that it is. The onus then is on the owner to keep a check on it or better still make plans to get the affected part changed before it fails. It's impossible to say when a part will corrode to the point of failure but we need to act on what we find and advise accordingly. We can't fail on predictions, only on what we see at the time of test.
Comment by Tito Bozo posted on
I cant believe how much humor is in these pics....its true Hello We Win
Comment by Ash posted on
“Blimey, DVSA being helpful? I had to double-check it wasn’t April Fool’s. Usually they pop up like the MOT Grim Reaper—clipboard in hand, ready to smite. But this post? Actually useful. Hats off for giving us a chance to sharpen up before the boot comes flying. Can you do more of this? It’s a brilliant way to engage with MOT testers and actually help develop learning opportunities. More guidance, less guillotine please!” Thanks I liked this post. Well done guys.
Comment by Ian Smith posted on
Would the replacement of a brake caliper’s bleed fitting with a radiator drain tap be considered a subjective defect rather than an absolute defect, provided it does not leak under pressure? What criteria would be applied to assess the safety implications of such a modification, given that the MOT test focuses on the condition of the vehicle at the time of inspection? I assume this would fall under the discretion of the Tester and therefore an advisory would also be considered appropriate?
Comment by Peter Say posted on
Didn’t come out of the factory like that absolute fail
Comment by Marshall Richardson posted on
Agree if not leaking and pressure ok at test on rollers whats problem ? Doesnt look nice ,?
Comment by Rick posted on
You have to question what deems it to be an unsafe modification. Unless proven does benefit of doubt come in to play. Subjective defect so who’s right and who’s wrong it either is or isn’t an unsafe modification. At the time of test was it doing its job is it likely to fail in the future?
Comment by Jim posted on
a radiator bleed valve or system drain valve only has to withstand up to 5 bar of static fluid pressure. A car brake system encounters dynamic fluid pressure of up to 140 bar.
Clearly, a radiator bleed valve is not engineered for brake systems.
Comment by Ian Smith posted on
Jim, I agree. However, it's important that MOT testing standards are consistently applied.
The Manual clearly states -
Modifications to vehicles must be assessed on their merits, taking account of the nature of the modification and whether the component is critical to safety.
A modification is unsafe if it:
-adversely affects the roadworthiness of the vehicle
-is likely to cause injury, such as modification to the body
-has a disproportionately adverse effect on the environment
Does the modification meet any of the above criteria at the time of test?
Perhaps the criteria should be expanded, for example - A component has been substituted with one that is clearly inadequate for its intended function.
Comment by ronnie bright posted on
frightening that people, [and i hope to god not mechanics] think these repairs and faults are acceptable.
Comment by SAJAD MOHAMMED RAJ posted on
what the hells going on surley that carnt have corroded since the last mot that quick so some body som where not doing thir job propley
Comment by Fred posted on
Yes they can and do, that's why dvsa have the 3 month corrosion rule. I see these corroded on a regular basis, and just because it's rusty it isn't a fail, so an advisory is issued so the presenter knows it should be replaced before it becomes a failure, but it hardly ever happens.
Comment by Jim posted on
it's a Ka. Those things are famous for rotting to nothing within 3 years if you just look at them wrong.
Comment by David posted on
When did you guys get a sense of humour 😂
Comment by Retired tester posted on
For a drink anything is posible Ha Ha