These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.
Tyre wear
VehicleScore MOT data includes 300 advisory comments and 49 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.
These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.
What to inspect
Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.
Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT TYRE WORN CLOSE TO LEGAL LIMIT/WORN ON EDGE (5.2.3 (E))
Brake pad wear
VehicleScore MOT data includes 135 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.
These MOT comments record brake pads that were worn or below the inspection limit.
What to inspect
Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.
Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE PAD(S) WEARING THIN (1.1.13 (A) (II))
Suspension arm issues
VehicleScore MOT data includes 53 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.
These MOT comments record a worn, corroded, or damaged suspension arm or its pin.
What to inspect
Look for play or corrosion at the arm and ask whether it has been replaced.
Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT SUSPENSION ARM PIN OR BUSH WORN BUT NOT RESULTING IN EXCESSIVE MOVEMENT (5.3.4 (A) (I))
Coil spring issues
VehicleScore MOT data includes 40 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.
These MOT comments record coil springs that were corroded, fractured, or otherwise defective. They are counted separately from shock absorbers.
What to inspect
Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.
Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE REAR COIL SPRING FRACTURED OR BROKEN (5.3.1 (B) (I))
Oil leak
VehicleScore MOT data includes 31 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.
These MOT comments record an oil leak noted by the tester. Shock absorber misting is counted as a damper issue, not as an engine oil leak.
What to inspect
Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.
Example MOT wording: OIL LEAK, BUT NOT EXCESSIVE (8.4.1 (A) (I))
Track rod wear
VehicleScore MOT data includes 25 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.
These MOT comments record play or damage at a track rod or track rod end.
What to inspect
Check for play when the steering wheel is rocked and listen for a knock while turning.
Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT TRACK ROD END BALL JOINT HAS EXCESSIVE PLAY (2.1.3 (B) (I))
Ball joint wear
VehicleScore MOT data includes 21 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.
These MOT comments record a worn or damaged ball joint. Track rod ends are counted with steering, not here.
What to inspect
Ask for the joint to be checked for play with the suspension loaded and unloaded.
Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT SUSPENSION ARM BALL JOINT EXCESSIVELY WORN (5.3.4 (A) (I))
Parking brake faults
VehicleScore MOT data includes 15 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.
These MOT comments record a parking brake that did not hold well enough or had a component defect.
What to inspect
Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.
Example MOT wording: PARKING BRAKE EFFICIENCY BELOW REQUIREMENTS (1.4.2 (A) (I))
