An MOT does not do a proper wheel alignment or tracking measurement like a garage alignment machine. But it can still fail your car if bad alignment has caused illegal tyre wear, steering problems, suspension defects or unsafe handling signs.
No, not in the way many drivers mean. The MOT tester does not put your car on a four-wheel alignment machine and measure camber, caster and toe angles.
However, the MOT does check the things that bad alignment can damage or expose. That includes tyres, wheels, steering, suspension components and whether parts are insecure, excessively worn or unsafe.
The alignment itself may not be the direct fail item, but the result of poor alignment can be. If the inside edge of a tyre is worn bald, cords are showing, the car pulls badly, or there is suspension damage, the MOT tester can fail the vehicle on those defects.
So the simple answer is: alignment is not fully measured, but alignment-related problems definitely matter at MOT time.
The MOT is a safety inspection. It looks for visible defects, unsafe wear and roadworthiness problems.
The tester checks tyre tread depth, damage, bulges, cuts, exposed cords and whether the tyres are suitable and safe.
Tyre tread MOT guide →The tester checks steering components, steering play, security, operation and whether there are obvious defects.
Steering rack MOT guide →Worn lower arms, ball joints, shock absorbers, springs and bushes can all affect alignment and can also cause MOT failures.
Suspension MOT guide →Loose wheels, damaged wheels or worn wheel bearings can be picked up during the MOT safety checks.
Wheel bearing MOT guide →A worn track rod end can affect steering and alignment, and it can fail the MOT if it has excessive play or damage.
Track rod end MOT guide →These parts help hold the wheel in the correct position. Wear here can cause uneven tyre wear and poor handling.
Lower arm MOT guide →A proper wheel alignment check uses specialist equipment to measure wheel angles. The garage looks at settings such as toe, camber and sometimes caster depending on the equipment and vehicle.
An MOT is different. It is not designed to fine-tune the way the car drives. It checks whether important parts are safe and roadworthy on the day of the test.
When most UK drivers say “tracking”, they usually mean front wheel toe adjustment. Poor tracking can make the steering wheel sit off-centre, make the car pull, or scrub the inner or outer edges of the tyres.
If the tyres are already badly worn because of tracking, the MOT issue becomes the tyre condition rather than the tracking measurement itself.
These are the common ways tracking and alignment issues turn into MOT problems.
If the inside or outside edge of a tyre has worn too low, the car can fail even if the centre tread still looks acceptable at a glance.
Tyre MOT failure guide →Bad tracking can wear an inner edge right through to the cords. That is dangerous and should be dealt with before driving.
Bald tyres MOT guide →If the tracking is out because of a worn track rod end, steering rack issue or excessive steering play, the MOT can fail on the worn component.
Track rod end guide →A bent arm, worn bush, damaged spring or loose ball joint can throw alignment out and also be a direct MOT failure.
Ball joint MOT guide →If a tyre or wheel is rubbing because of damage, incorrect fitment or suspension movement, that can become an MOT concern.
Wheel alignment MOT guide →A car that is visibly unsafe, pulls badly, has loose steering or has obvious defects should be checked before the MOT.
Car pulls left or right guide →These signs do not always mean the car will fail, but they are strong warnings that something needs checking.
The car drives straight but the steering wheel sits slightly left or right.
The vehicle drifts left or right on a level road without much steering input.
Pulling to one side causes →The tyre looks fine from the outside but the inside shoulder is low, cracked or showing cords.
The outside shoulder wears faster than the rest of the tyre.
This can be wheel balance, tyre damage, suspension wear or wheel issues rather than alignment alone.
Car shakes at high speed →If the car still pulls after tracking, there may be tyre, brake, suspension or steering faults.
Pulls after tracking guide →A lot of drivers only notice tracking problems when the MOT is due. They look at the tyre from the outside and think it is fine, but when the steering is turned or the car is lifted, the inside edge is badly worn.
In many cases, the tracking is only part of the story. A worn lower arm bush, loose track rod end, bent suspension arm or damaged tyre can be the real reason the car is wearing tyres unevenly.
That is why I would not just say “get tracking done” without checking the front suspension and steering first. If there is play in the parts, alignment may not hold properly.
If a tyre has worn badly on one edge, fitting new tyres without checking the cause can waste money. The new tyre may start wearing the same way again.
The better order is: inspect steering and suspension, repair worn parts, then align the wheels, then fit or protect the tyres depending on condition.
Use this quick pre-MOT check if you suspect alignment or tracking problems.
Do not only look at the visible outer face. Turn the steering and check the inner edges of both front tyres.
If you see cords, cracks, a bulge or deep damage, do not wait for the MOT to tell you.
Tyre bulge MOT guide →If the car pulls, the steering wheel is off-centre or the vehicle wanders, book an inspection before MOT.
Knocking over bumps or when turning can point to worn suspension or steering parts.
Knocking when turning guide →Wrong tyre pressure can also cause poor handling and uneven tyre wear, so check pressures before blaming alignment.
TPMS MOT guide →If you hit a kerb or pothole, alignment can move and suspension parts can bend. Get the car checked if it drives differently afterwards.
If your car pulls to one side, has uneven tyre wear or the steering wheel is not straight, do not treat it as “just tracking” straight away. Check tyres, tyre pressures, brakes, steering joints, suspension arms, ball joints and wheel bearings first. Once the mechanical parts are sound, then wheel alignment makes sense.
Basic front tracking is usually cheaper than full four-wheel alignment. The final price depends on the vehicle, the equipment used and whether any bolts are seized or suspension parts need replacing first.
If the garage finds worn steering or suspension parts, repair those before paying for alignment. Otherwise the alignment may be inaccurate or may not last.
If your tyres are wearing unevenly, ask the garage to check why before simply replacing tyres. A new tyre can be damaged quickly if the underlying fault is still there.
Good order: diagnose the cause, repair worn parts, align the wheels, then fit tyres if needed.
Clear answers to common UK driver questions about MOT, tracking and alignment.
No. The MOT does not perform a full wheel alignment measurement. It checks visible safety-related items such as tyres, wheels, steering and suspension.
Bad tracking itself is not normally measured, but it can cause MOT failures if it leads to illegal tyre wear, steering defects or unsafe suspension issues.
Yes. Uneven tyre wear can fail if the tread is below the legal limit, cords are exposed, or the tyre has serious damage.
An off-centre steering wheel on its own may not always be the direct fail, but the cause should be checked because it can point to tracking, tyre, steering or suspension problems.
Yes, if the car pulls, the steering wheel is off-centre or the tyres are wearing unevenly. But first make sure there are no worn steering or suspension parts.
They may mention uneven tyre wear or steering/suspension issues, but they are not carrying out a full alignment report as part of the MOT.
Wheel balancing is not checked in the same way a tyre shop would check it. But damaged wheels, unsafe tyres or wheel issues can still be picked up.
Check tyre edges, tyre pressures, steering feel, pulling, knocks and suspension wear. If anything feels wrong, get it inspected before the test.
Motor Vehicle Expert publishes practical UK-focused MOT, diagnostics, warning light, used car and repair guidance written in clear mechanic-style language for everyday drivers.
