Parents have been warned to remove three items from their car before an MOT to avoid the chance of failing it.
An MOT tests the most important parts of a vehicle to make sure they meet the legal standards.
There are plenty of potential ways for cars to fail an MOT, and parents have been urged to increase their chances by being aware of these three items.
What items should parents remove from their car before an MOT?
Tyre retailer Blackcircles has advised parents to clear their vehicles of dashboard toys, overloaded boots, and incorrectly placed stickers ahead of an MOT.
Teddies or toys
A spokesperson for Blackcircles said: "Leaving teddies and toys on the top of your dashboard can cause a failure if they block your view of the road.
"They also pose a major hazard if they interfere with the deployment of your passenger airbags."
Shopping bags or prams in the boot
An overloaded boot can also be an issue.
The spokesperson said: "If overpacking the boot stops a smooth closure, the vehicle will fail.
"If your boot is full and the tester cannot access the spare wheel well or suspension mounts, they will fail the vehicle."
Baby on board stickers
Even something as small as a sticker can pose a problem.
If baby on board stickers are stuck to the windscreen or front side windows, this could result in a failed MOT.
The spokesman said: "This is because these positions can block your view of the road.
"Instead, make sure this sticker is on the rear window, and ensure it's not in the way of the wipers."
Parents are also advised to secure any child seats, as a loosely fitted seat could suggest the restraint system is insufficient.
Additionally, an MOT requires every seatbelt to be tested.
If a seatbelt is trapped behind a permanent child car seat and cannot be inspected, the car will fail.
Recommended reading:
- The UK's most stolen car for first 6 months of 2026 revealed with 197 vehicles taken
- Fine warning issued to all UK drivers over common parking manoeuvre
- Expert reveals 4 common car cleaning mistakes that could cost you over £3000
James Harding, a tyre specialist at Blackcircles, said MOT failures can be more than just inconvenient.
He said: "MOT failures aren’t just costly and inconvenient; they can show a car to be unsafe.
"Sorting any issues that appear ahead of an MOT appointment can help your car to pass."
Have you faced any of these issues when getting an MOT? Let us know in the comments.
Share