MOT advisory and defect explainer

MOTUK / Practical tools

Make sense of your MOT.

Find plain-English explanations of common components and useful questions to ask your garage.

No account neededFree to useBased on official guidance

Paste one item at a time. Do not include your name, address or registration number.

Try an example:
What can this explainer tell me?

It matches component words to a small set of written explanations based on the GB car and light-vehicle inspection manual. It does not diagnose the vehicle or identify an official defect code. Only your actual MOT record gives the tester’s classification.

For motorcycles, Northern Ireland tests or wording that is not covered, ask the tester to explain the item.