It happens once a year for cars over 3 year old.
But are you prepared for it?

MOT (Ministry of Transport)
It's illegal to drive a vehicle without a valid MOT certificate. If you're caught driving without an MOT, you could face: a fine of up to £1,000 and your vehicle may be impounded.

You do not need to get an MOT if: the vehicle was built or first registered more than 40 years ago. no 'substantial changes' have been made to the vehicle in the last 30 years, for example replacing the chassis, body, axles or engine to change the way the vehicle works.

Your car is going to be inspected for its road worthiness during the MOT Test.

But you can help yourself the misery of being told it's failed and being without your car
just by carrying out some really basic checks prior to taking to the MOT testing centre.

They are not looking at just one or two things!

But some of these you can check yourself

ITEMS CHECKED

2.1 Body, vehicle structure and general items
These will be inspected to check that:
They’re free from excessive corrosion or damage in specific areas
There are no sharp edges likely to cause injury

2.2 Towbars
Towbars will be inspected for:
Secureness
Condition
Inappropriate repairs or modification
The MOT tester will also check that:
The 13 pin electrical socket is working correctly
The speedometer is in good working order
The engine mountings are secure

2.3 Fuel system
The fuel system will be inspected to check that:
There are no leaks
The pipes and hoses are secure and in a good condition
The fuel cap fastens and seals securely
You should make sure that the key is available as the fuel cap will need to be opened.

2.4 Exhaust emissions
The vehicle will be inspected, depending on the age and fuel type of the vehicle, to check that it meets the rules for exhaust emissions.
Diesel vehicles
The MOT tester will refuse to test your vehicle if they think that the smoke test may damage your engine.
You should tell them at the start of the MOT if you think this may happen.
To reduce the possibility of damage and increase the chances of passing, you should:
keep your vehicle maintained at all times
Have the camshaft drive belt replaced at the recommended intervals
Go for the MOT with a fully warmed up engine - it will produce less smoke and is safer to test
Not tamper with the governor settings

2.5 Exhaust system
The exhaust system will be inspected to check that:
It’s secure and complete
A catalyst isn’t missing where one was fitted as standard
It’s without serious leaks and not too noisy

2.6 Seatbelts
The vehicle will be inspected to check that:
The mandatory seatbelts are in place
They are suitable for the vehicle
They are in a good condition
They work properly
They are attached securely
The malfunction indicator lamps (MILs) or dashboard warning lights will be checked for the:
Air bags
Seatbelt pretensioners (which remove the slack from a seatbelt in the event of a collision)
Seatbelt load limiters (which release a small amount of belt when it’s too tight)

2.7 Seats
These will be inspected to check that:
The driver’s seat can be adjusted
All seats are securely fitted and that seat backs can be fixed in the upright position

2.8 Doors
These will be inspected to check that:
The latch is secure in the closed position
The front doors open from inside and outside the vehicle
The rear doors open from outside the vehicle
Hinges and catches are secure and in a good condition

2.9 Mirrors
The vehicle will be inspected to check for the minimum number of mirrors, their condition and security. Indirect vision devices will also inspected.

2.10 Load security
The vehicle will be inspected to check that the boot or tailgate can be closed properly.

2.11 Brakes
These will be inspected to check:
Their condition, including inappropriate repairs or modifications
Their operation and performance (the efficiency test) - the wheels and trims aren’t removed as part of the test
The anti-lock braking system (ABS) and electronic stability control (ESC) (where fitted)
The MILs or dashboard warning lights will also be checked for the ABS, ESC, electronic park brake and brake fluid warning lights.

2.12 Tyres and wheels
These will be inspected to check for:
Condition
Security
Tyre size and type
Tread depth
Spare wheels and tyres are not inspected.
Vehicles first used on or after 1 January 2012 will be checked to make sure the tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) MIL is working.

2.13 Registration plates
These will be inspected to check for:
Condition
Secure attachment
Colour
Characters correctly formed and spaced

2.14 Lights
These will be inspected to check:
Their condition
Operation, including high intensity discharge (HID) and light emitting diode (LED)
The headlamps for cleaning, self levelling and security
Headlamp aim
Main beam warning light working

2.15 Bonnet
This will be inspected to check that it closes securely.

2.16 Wipers and washers
These will be inspected to check that they work properly so the driver has a clear view of the road.

2.17 Windscreen
The windscreen will be inspected to check for:
Condition
The driver’s view of the road

2.18 Horn
This will be inspected to check:
That it works properly
It’s suitable for the vehicle

2.19 Steering and suspension
These will be inspected to check:
Their condition
Steering oil level
They work correctly
For inappropriate repairs or modification including corrosion to power steering pipes or hoses
That the steering lock mechanism works properly
The MILs or dashboard warning lights will also be checked for the electronic power steering and steering lock.

2.20 Vehicle identification number (VIN)
The VIN will be on vehicles first used on or after 1 August 1980. Your car will be inspected to check that a single VIN is displayed, except on multistage build vehicles (eg van conversion, BMW, Alpina etc).

2.21 Electrical
Visible electrical wiring and the battery will be checked.

What could you easily do before taking your car for its MOT?

The following is a list of easily checkable items that any driver could do prior to taking their car for an MOT:-
1. You can check all the lights to include
Side light.
Dipped Beam.
Main Beam.
Fog Lights.
Brake Lights.
Number plate lights.
Reversing lights.
Signal indicators.

2. The seatbelts
To ensure that they fasten correctly.
The emergency lock mechanism works when pulled sharply.
That there are no tears or that they are fraying.
That they are not hidden underneath a seat as it's not the mot inspectors job to search for them.

3. That the horn works.
4. that there are no chips or cracks on the windscreen.
5. that the wipers are not split and that they clear the screen effectively.
6. That the screen wash has sufficient fluid in it.
and that the jet spray on both side of the windscreen.
7. That there is sufficient brake fluid.
8. That the condition of your tyres meet the legal minimum for tread depth (1.6mm) and that there is no damage to the sidewalls of the tyres.

If you are quite good with DIY mechanics you could possibly check that your brake pads are in good condition as well before taking your car, but things like
wheel bearings, track rods, steering rack, exhaust emissions, brake testing, headlight alignment etc are jobs that most standard drivers are not capable of doing efficiently, and especially the items that need machinery to carry out the checks.

Only carry out work that you are comfortable with doing, and leave the rest to the professionals.


Just taking your car to test and having one light bulb blown will result in the car being failed.
If the garage is quite accommodating they may change the bulb for you and charge you for it when you return to pick up the car, however, they are under no obligation to do this for you and are within their rights to fail your car, make you take it home and repair it and then bring it back for a retest.
This is just going to waste yours and their time. Where just spending five minutes before taking the car to test could have avoided it.

Help yourself by carrying out regular checks to your car to ensure it remains in tip top condition.

© Copyright 2024 ADI-PDI-Resource -
All Rights Reserved

Shop

Home

About us




We would like to thank Freepik 
for a percentage of content images on this site

adipdiresource@gmail.com

07765510704

Site Location
Gosport
Hampshire
UK