Why is MOT Testing Important for Your Vehicle?

The MOT is an annual inspection which ensures that your car conforms to standards for environmental and safety on the roads. Every MOT test comes with an inventory of tests that are standard and tests that are conducted on each vehicle.

Below are the most important elements that are tested during the MOT test.

We’ve also included a few simple pre-check tests that anyone can carry out prior to an MOT. The majority of defects discovered at the time of an MOT could be prevented through basic maintenance. Spending an hour or two checking things such as wiper blades, lights and tyres prior your test could help save time and money as well as the possibility of a failure that could have been avoided.

If you find an issue, we’ve got all parts, spares and accessories you require. In some instances we’ll be able to even change items such as lights or wipers while you are waiting.

The rear, front fog, brake indicators, reflectors for the rear of your registration plate and reflectors need to:

Make sure you are properly positioned
Secure
Do not be obscured
Be in good condition
Make sure you show the proper color (a blueish tint to the front headlights is okay provided that the dominant color is white)
Do not be affected adversely from the action of any other light source
It is possible to illuminate the room with just one operation of the switch.

The lights of a pair must emit light that is the same colour in size, shape and size. headlights’ direction (both primary beams and dip beams) should be set below the horizontal level, so as not to irritate other drivers.

Horn

The horn’s tone must be an uninterrupted, uniform sound and must be sufficiently loud that it is heard by any other motorist.

Battery

The battery should be safe and should not show any indications of leakage of electrolytes.

Electrical wiring

Wiring must be secured and shouldn’t get damaged in the way that it could short circuit or be damaged.

Towbars

Every electrical outlet must be in good working order and properly control the trailer parking lights and indicator lights for brakes,, and the rear fog light.

Pre-MOT check tips

30% of MOT faults involve the lighting and signalling

Lighting: As you control your lights from your driver’s seat, ask someone else in your family look around your car to make sure that each light is operating properly.

Horn: Make sure to give your horn short blast to make sure it’s functioning in a proper manner.

Battery: Make sure the connectors to ensure they are connected securely and in good shape. Be on the lookout for leaks of fluid. If you are worried regarding the condition that your battery is in,, make an appointment for a complimentary battery test to ensure security.

Steering

The steering wheel of your vehicle must be safe and in good state of repair. Our skilled technician will verify this by moving the wheel in different directions, and then inspecting the steering parts for damage or wear.

If your steering is equipped with an electronic locking mechanism, it will only lock in the event that your engine doesn’t operating.

The vehicles with power steering have to be equipped with at least the minimum amount of fluid for power steering inside the reservoir.

Suspension

The suspension components and shock absorbers will be inspected for excess damage, corrosion, distortion and fractures.

The brake pedals, and levers must be in good working order and all warning lights have to function. Our experienced technician will conduct an examination of the brake’s performance to determine the effectiveness of your brakes.

Pre-MOT check tips

9.6 Percent of MOT fails are caused by brake problems

Be aware of your vehicle and take notes if it moves to one side as you brake.

The tendency to pull one side or the other is a serious issue that is a must be taken care of to ensure your security. Make an appointment for a complimentary brake check . Our trained technicians will examine your brakes, identify the root of the issue and how to fix the issue.

The tyres you choose should be of the correct speed and load capacity for your vehicle and the tread depth should be at minimum 1.6mm. Our experienced technician will inspect for cuts of more than 25mm, bulges, lumps and tears, as well as the exposed cords or tread separation.

For vehicles equipped with run-flat tyres the warning light has to be operating properly.

Road wheels should be in good overall condition. All wheel nuts should be properly in the correct position and secured.

Pre-MOT check tips

10% of MOT faults can be traced to the tyres

Before bringing your vehicle to be tested make use of a tyre thickness gauge to measure that the tread is deep on each of the tyres.

All of your safety belts (including the adjuster and attachment fittings) must be of in good functioning order.

Pre-MOT check tips

Use your seatbelts to give a firm squeeze to make sure the restraint mechanism is in place. Make sure that the locks are operating correctly and that everything is in operating in good working order.

Body

A thorough inspection of the body engine mountings, the chassis as well as the bonnet, seats, doors and boot is performed to ensure the components are free of excessive corrosion and have no sharp edges that could lead to injury.

Registration plates

They must be clear and secure to a person standing 20 metres away from the car . installed on the rear and front of the vehicle. All characters must be properly shaped and spaced in order to ensure they’re not misinterpreted.

The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)

Every vehicle has to have an identifiable VIN that is either displayed on an VIN plate that is attached to the vehicle or on the body or the chassis.

Speedometer

A speedometer has to be installed with our skilled technician will ensure that it is able to be lit. It doesn’t matter whether the dial glass is damaged so long as it can read.

Pre-MOT check tips

Registration plates: Cleanse your plates, and ensure that they’re clear and legal. If you require new plate registration for either your back or front you can buy one on the internet.

Speedometer: Make sure that your speedometer can be read , and the dashboard lights light up at night.

Exhaust system

The exhaust system of your vehicle should be safe and free of leaks. If your vehicle was equipped to have a catalytic converter it should still be in place.

Emissions

The vehicle’s carbon monoxide as well as hydrocarbon emissions should be within the limit set by law. Our skilled technicians will employ an analyser probe for gas while the engine is in operation to measure the smoke that is released through the exhaust. They’ll also check visually whether there is excessive smoke of any color being released from the exhaust that could cause an MOT fault.

Your car will require sufficient fuel and oil levels for technicians to perform their emissions checks.

Pre-MOT check tips

Exhaust: Keep a record of any noises or rumbling in to the side of the pipe while your car is in motion, this may indicate a potential issue which needs to be addressed prior to when you test for your MOT near me. Use our no-cost exhaust test to receive expert advice and support.

Emissions: Make sure you fill up your engine’s oil and fuel before you test. The level of oil should be in the range of the marks of minimum and maximum on the dipstick inside the reservoir for oil beneath your bonnet.

Mirrors

Mirrors in the rear and wing mirrors need to be secured and offer adequate view to the sides and rear of the vehicle.
Windscreens and Wipers

In the windscreen area just in front of where the driver is, there should not be any obstruction or damage to the view greater than 10mm. Outside of this area (but within the sweep) it is not allowed to there be damage, or obstruction greater than 40mm. Washers and wipers should sweep an area large enough to provide the driver with an unobstructed perspective of road.

Pre-MOT check tips

6.6 percent of MOT failures result from issues with the driver’s perspective of the road

Mirrors: Look for cracks in your windscreen or mirrors that could block your vision of the road. If you find any, replace or repair any that are damaged.

Wipers Get your wiper blades a thorough check to make sure they’re in good shape and don’t show any indications of wear and tear.

Windscreen: Check the screen level of wash and fill it up when required. Apply a little squirt to check that everything is operating in the way it should be before setting off for testing.