An MOT is a yearly test of your vehicle’s safety and road worthiness. Your MOT’s anniversary date is 12 months on from your first MOT. If your MOT was in March 2019 it will be again in March 2020. This will reoccur every year you own the vehicle and is against the law to drive without one.
If you are unsure when your MOT is due, click here: https://www.gov.uk/check-mot-history
The UK MOT test is designed to make sure your car adheres to the minimum requirements to be on the road and therefore, road worthy. During an MOT test the qualified inspector will go over a check list and make sure it meets these requirements. Providing everything passes with acceptable tolerances or “advisories” your car will pass its MOT. If your car does not pass every check point it will FAIL its MOT and make your car illegal to drive until the problems are rectified.
Ahead of your MOT it is possible for you to check and rectify problems to prevent an MOT failure. Here are some top tips we recommend doing prior to your car’s MOT.
1. Fill the washer fluid
The washer fluid is needed to clear the windscreen. Can’t clear the windscreen you fail the test. The inspector is not there to carry out service items, they are there to take your car at face value. Before your MOT top up your washer fluid.
2. Check your bulbs
Brakes, reverse, headlights, and indicators are essential to passing your test. Use a friend or park your car next to a wall to see the lights reflection. Start by turning your head lights to side lights, dipped and main beam. Fog lights if you have them. Next check the number plate lights and rear taillights. Next left, right indicator and hazards followed by brakes and reverse. If any bulbs are out, replace them now.
3. Check your tyres tread
All tyres have a wear indicator. Run your finger inside the tyres central grove and find the wear indicator. If the surface of the tyre is level with the wear indicator you will need new tyres. Also check the inside of the tyres to see if there is any hidden signs of wearing.
4. Check your brakes
Modern cars provide wear indicators which when low will indicate on the dashboard. For brake discs is possible to spot a wear indicator. However, if you have brake discs and can see a large amount of corrosion and a low amount of visible metal this is a good indicator you need new brakes.
The MOT will check more than these areas but these are common failure points which you can resolve prior to your test. At Hughes we do offer a pre-MOT inspection to highlight issues which will need to be resolved.
To book in your car, call the team on 01202734433