MOT advisory “Non-component advisories Chain guard missing” — meaning and what to do
Last updated · OBDCode UK editorial
In plain English: the tester noted a non-component item that was not a fail on that MOT. Monitor to next MOT.
Can you drive with this?
Drive with care. This advisory alone does not normally mean you must stop driving. Still plan the repair before the next MOT so it does not become a fail.
12V electrical safety. On a 12V battery: disconnect negative first, reconnect negative last. Prevent sparks and short circuits. Stop if the battery is damaged or sits near orange high-voltage cables.
What the tester saw
MOT testers work from the DVSA inspection manual. For this item the manual wording is “Chain guard missing”. In plain English: the tester judged that wear or deterioration on the non-component advisories had not gone far enough to reject at that test. That is why it was recorded as an advisory rather than a failure. It is not a statement about the vehicle’s condition or legal status today.
Do you need to fix it?
An advisory did not affect that test’s result. It is the tester telling you what is likely to need attention, and how soon depends on the item.
- Monitor to next MOT. A missing chain guard can wait for the next service if you are not working near the chain. Fit a guard before workshop work or if the chain is exposed where clothing or skin could catch — do not leave it off as a long-term state.
- Can you DIY? Basic external checks may be suitable for a careful DIY driver with household tools, on firm level ground. We do not publish strip-down or fitting steps here.
- Buying a used car? Repeated advisories for the same item across several years of MOT history mean the owner has been ignoring it. Check the car’s full record with our free MOT history check.
Related non-component advisories advisories
Before you agree to the work
A fault or an advisory is a quote waiting to happen. These pages set out what a garage has to tell you, what a comparable written quote should include, and what you can do if the bill is not what you agreed.
- Estimates, quotes and extra work — what a price has to cover, and when a garage may charge more than it first said.
- What a diagnostic test costs — what the fee should include, and when it should come off the repair.
- Tools — when to buy and when to skip — how to choose a diagnostic tool, and when a garage visit is cheaper than owning one.
- Choosing a garage you can check — what to verify before you hand over the keys.
- Your rights after a car repair — what to do when the work is not right, and how to put it in writing.
Frequency: DVSA Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2025 extract (Class 4). Wording follows the DVSA inspection manual. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.