Your Car Could FAIL its MOT with Mirror Problems

Mirror, mirror on the car – what causes the most MOT failures by far?

Well, the top spot actually goes to lights. Lights cause the most MOT failures – but mirrors are a top reason for failure as well. If we had to guess as to why that is, we’d say it’s because mirrors just don’t feel that important. So when they’re not in top condition, we just leave them…

But if your car’s mirrors have issues, then you could expect to fail your next MOT, or worse, cause an accident. 

That’s because they are an incredibly important safety feature, and they’re part of your car for a reason. Next time you’re driving, take note of just how many times you actually use your mirrors. 

We’d bet it’s a lot more than you think – because they are an extension of your vision, and supercharge your senses to let you see where you couldn’t before. They’re so simple, but so intuitive, that we just forget they’re there!

Of course, when they’re gone completely, we really notice. But even just cracks or obscured areas can lead to a failed MOT.

And probably the worst bit is that mirrors, especially wing mirrors, are vulnerable. They’re made of glass, exposed to the elements, and can take regular blows in city driving. Not to mention getting them kicked off if you park in the wrong place…

But the bottom line is this; loose, missing, and broken mirrors lead to MOT failures.

The rules on car mirrors and MOT tests

Mirrors are mandatory equipment on all cars. Some modern cars use cameras instead – but this isn’t all that common, and good old analogue tech is still the most reliable for now.

Even if there’s no rear window for a rear view mirror, wing mirrors must be present, and if your car does have a rear window (as most do), then it must also have a rear view mirror.

So if your mirrors are present and accounted for, then you’ve started off well! But if they’re loose and wobbly, then that could lead to an MOT failure.

All mirrors must be fixed securely to your vehicle. This is a crucial point that catches many people out, because they simply adjust them when they move and forget about them – or glue them back on if they fall off (yep, we see it a lot!).

Mirrors have to be secure

If the mirror housing is loose, it can vibrate excessively while driving. This makes the reflected image unstable and difficult to interpret, defeating the object of having a mirror in the first place. It can also shift during a drive or over bumps, moving the field of view somewhere totally unhelpful – or fall off altogether!

Many modern cars have electrically folding mirrors. You can fail your MOT if this mechanism is broken and the mirror is stuck in a folded position. Similarly, on cars with manually folding mirrors, if the mechanism is so worn that it won’t stay in the driving position, it will fail. 

The mirror must be capable of being set and remaining in a stable position for use.

Damage

The most obvious reason for a failure is physical damage to the mirror itself – but the rules are more nuanced than you might think.

A large crack that significantly distorts the reflection, or a shard of mirror glass with a sharp edge that could cause injury to someone handling it (like the tester), will result in a failure. 

But not every crack or chip is an automatic fail. Your MOT tester will assess the size and location of the damage, to make sure it doesn’t impair the driver’s main field of vision. A small stone chip on the very edge of the mirror glass might only be noted as an advisory – but if that chip is directly in the driver’s line of sight or has cracks spidering out from it that distort the view? Then the car will fail for sure.

The reflection

A secure, shatter-free mirror can still cause problems if the quality of the reflection is poor. We’re not talking about a dirty mirror that needs a little spit and polish – but rather delamination and distorted reflections from failing materials.

Sometimes, the reflective backing on the mirror glass can begin to deteriorate, often starting at the edges. Even if the glass itself is not cracked, significant delamination that impairs the view is an MOT failure.

We’ve seen a few stick-on mirrors applied over broken mirrors in the past – and while this can be a good solution, they’re meant to be temporary. A badly fitted or distorted mirror application can lead to a fail – likewise one that’s peeling off or bubbling. The repair must be as good as the original to pass the MOT.

Finally, if an item is permanently obstructing the view (like a sat-nav mount in the line of sight of the interior mirror), it can be a reason for failure.

Electric mirrors

If your car has electric mirrors as standard, the controls must work. If the switch on the driver’s door is broken and you can’t adjust the passenger side mirror from the driver’s seat, this is an MOT failure. This is because you can’t be expected to lean across to adjust the mirror manually while driving – it’s a safety requirement!

How to avoid a mirror-related MOT failure

A quick pre-MOT check can save you time and money – and mirrors are thankfully an easy fix!

1. Clean them

Give all mirrors a proper clean, inside and out. If nothing else, it saves your tester a job!

2. Inspect the glass

Look closely for any cracks, chips, or signs of the silvering deterioration. Check the entire surface.

3. Test the stability

Gently push against the mirror housings. Do they feel solid, or is there movement? Make sure both wing mirrors are firmly in the driving position.

4. Check the electronics

If you have electric mirrors, test the controls to make sure both mirrors adjust in all directions.

5. Remove obstructions

Clear your windscreen and rear window of any unnecessary obstructions that could impair the view from the interior mirror.

Book your MOT now

Book your MOT test in Eastleigh today, with We Only Do MOTs. We promise to provide an impartial, independent MOT to everyone – and will carry out most minor repairs for free.

Send your message to enquiries@onlydomots.co.uk or call us on 023 8064 7180