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Drivers who ignore an issue flagged up as an advisory on their MOT could end up with a hefty repairs bill or even face legal issues.
A survey by Auto Express found 15 percent of drivers ignore MOT advisories. These early warnings refer to issues with your vehicle which, if allowed to get worse, would result in your car failing its MOT in future.
This can include problems with worn tyres, your lights, or signs of corrosion and other wear and tear to your car.
One of the most common advisories is problems with your brakes, which make up 16 percent of all advisories, with almost 30 percent of these categorised as ‘dangerous’.
Steve Walker, head of digital content at Auto Express, said: “Ignoring MOT advisories on brakes is a serious risk that too many drivers take lightly.”
He warned that problems with your brakes could prove very expensive if you don’t act. The expert said: “If left unchecked – as 15% of drivers admit they do – these minor issues can quickly escalate into major, costly repairs.
“Worse still, if a fault causes an accident and it’s found you ignored a brake advisory, you could face significant financial liabilities – and potentially legal consequences. It’s vital to address brake advisories promptly to keep yourself and others safe on the road.”
The research found the most common advisories were faulty lights and electric equipment, accounting for 25 percent of all advisories.
What to do if your brakes fail
Should you find yourself in the scary situation where your brakes fail, there are several things you can do to safely come to a stop.
Mr Walker said: “You’ve got more options than you think – from engine braking to the handbrake – but the most important thing is not to panic and never make any sudden moves.
“If you’re calm, deliberate and aware of your surroundings, you’ll give yourself the best chance of getting the car safely stopped – and avoiding injury to yourself or others.”
The first step is to put your hazard lights on so other drivers around you know you have an issue, which could help prevent a rear-end crash. You can also flash your headlights of use your horn to get attention.
Often, the loss of braking power will not be total, and could just be a loss of hydraulic pressure. Mr Walker said: “Try repeatedly pumping the brake pedal with firm, rapid presses. This can help build pressure back up and may restore some braking function.”
If you are driving a manual or an automatic with manual shift controls, you can gradually move down through the gears to reduce your speed. But it’s key not to go into neutral, as this stops engine braking and will mean you lose more control.
It’s also important not to turn the ignition off as this will cut power to your power steering and brake assist, again meaning you lose more control.
You can also slow down by carefully applying the handbrake, but you should do so slowly and gently to avoid locking the rear wheels.
If you are driving on the motorway, you can try and move over to the hard shoulder. If you are on the outside lane, move across one lane at a time when there is a safe gap, using your hazard lights and horn to alert other drivers as needed.
If you are on a smart motorway with no hard shoulder, you should look for the nearest refuge point, indicated by a blue SOS sign.
Mr Walker also said: “Luckily, brake failure is incredibly rare, so it is highly unlikely you will have to do any of these things, especially if you regularly check your brakes.
“Keep them serviced and fluid levels checked – and if they start to feel like they are not working at full capacity, get them looked at immediately.”
