About MOT Decoded
MOT Decoded is a free tool that turns the wording on an MOT result into plain English. Paste in your defects and advisories and it tells you what each one means, how urgent it is, roughly what it costs to fix, and whether it's a job you could do yourself.
Who runs it
I'm Bilal. I run Shipra Automotives, a mobile mechanic service covering Bridgend, Cardiff and Swansea, and I've spent the last few years working hands-on on customers' cars.
MOT results are written in the language of the inspection manual, which makes sense for testers but not for most drivers. "Nearside front anti-roll bar linkage ball joint has slight play" is accurate, but it doesn't tell you whether you can drive to work tomorrow or what you should expect to pay. I built this site to answer those questions quickly and honestly.
How the decoder works
The decoder matches each line you paste against a library of common MOT wording. For each match it shows:
- a plain-English explanation of what the tester saw
- how urgent it is, based on the category the tester gave it and what the part is
- a typical cost range for the repair at an independent garage
- who can realistically fix it: easy DIY, DIY if you're handy, or a garage job
- what tends to happen if it's left
It runs entirely in your web browser. Nothing you paste is sent to me or stored anywhere.
Where the information comes from
The rules about what fails an MOT come from the official MOT inspection manual for cars and the GOV.UK guidance on getting an MOT. Guides link to those sources where they quote a rule.
Repair costs are typical ranges for parts and labour at an independent garage, based on my own trade knowledge and checked against published UK price data where it's available. They're there to help you budget and to spot a quote that looks way off. They're not a quote. Your car, your area and the garage you choose all change the price, and main dealers usually charge more.
There's more on how I write and check the guides on the editorial policy page.
What MOT Decoded isn't
It isn't an official service. MOT Decoded has no connection with the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) or GOV.UK. It also can't see your car. If anything here doesn't match what your tester or garage told you, trust them, because they've had the car in front of them.
How the site is funded
The tool and guides are free. Once the site is approved, I plan to show adverts from Google AdSense to cover hosting and time. Adverts won't change what the guides say, and I won't recommend a product because it pays.
Get in touch
Found a line the decoder didn't recognise, or a cost that's way off for your area? Email contact@motdecoded.co.uk or use the contact page. Corrections are the most useful thing anyone can send me.