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Finding parts from an MOT defect

Every MOT test result GarageHQ fetches from the DVSA comes with a list of advisories and failures. GarageHQ turns each defect line into a searchable query across multiple UK parts retailers, so you can go from "nearside front wishbone has excessive free play" to a priced replacement in under a minute.

1. Open the Parts page

From a vehicle's detail page, click Find parts (or navigate to /vehicles/[id]/parts). The page lists every advisory and failure from every MOT test on record, newest first.

Parts finder page with an MOT advisory and matched parts
Each advisory/failure from every MOT test, with a Find parts link next to each.

2. Pick an advisory

Each advisory shows:

  • The verbatim DVSA text, the mechanic's description of the fault
  • Test date, which MOT it came from
  • Outcome, ADVISORY, MINOR, MAJOR, FAIL, PRS (pass after rectification)

Click the Find parts link next to any entry. GarageHQ parses the text, extracts the likely part name (wishbone, tyre, brake pad etc.) and the side (nearside/offside, front/rear), and runs a parallel search across:

  • GSF Car Parts
  • Euro Car Parts
  • Autodoc
  • Febi (OE-spec)
  • eBay Motors (the priced UK marketplace)

3. Confirm what you found

Each returned result is a real product listing with title, price, and supplier link. Three buttons under each:

  • Visit listing, opens the supplier page in a new tab.
  • Confirm match, upvotes this listing for this specific defect text. GarageHQ learns from these across every customer and shows high-confidence results at the top for future searches.
  • Not a match, downvotes. Same feedback loop but negative.

When the search returns nothing or the wrong part

The auto-extractor pulls a part name out of free-form defect text. Sometimes it picks the wrong noun, especially on long or ambiguous lines (e.g. "subframe corroded", which subframe part? Or "nearside front lower arm bush", do we want the bush or the whole arm?). When that happens:

  • Click "Edit search" on the defect card at the top of the parts page. A textarea opens pre-populated with the original defect text. Rewrite it as a more specific or simpler search term ("front brake pads", "nearside lower arm bush", etc.) and click Search again. The page re-queries every supplier with your new term.
  • Check eBay only, casting a broader net with looser matching.
  • Log the defect in service history with a note to ask your garage at the next appointment.

What next?