Every car on the road that’s more than three years old must have an annual MOT carried out to ensure its roadworthiness. It might feel like a headache but at least it gives you peace of mind that you are motoring safely and legally.
MOT tests can help to identify early problems with your vehicle, saving you money in the long run. If your car fails, even if the old MOT certificate is valid, you could still be driving an illegal and unroadworthy vehicle, so you’ll want those repairs rectified as soon as possible. Many vehicles fail an MOT for avoidable reasons, that the owner could have sorted out prior to testing. A fail need not be the end of the world though, as you will be able to have the vehicle re-tested at no charge if the repairs are carried out at the garage that performed the MOT.
An MOT takes around an hour to complete and then however it takes to complete any necessary repair work. For a reliable Gloucester MOT, MOT Gloucester service is available through 123 Car & Commercial The checks that are undertaken during the test include:
Internal checks – these include the interior of the vehicle, functioning of switches and lights, seatbelts, wipers, steering wheel, mirrors, horn and speedometer.
External checks – the outside checks include lamps, indicators, plates, tyres, wheels and bodywork. The windows and windscreen are also checked for wear signs and chips for example. The doors are also examined, as well as the fuel cap and tow bar, if applicable.
Underneath – a tester will look at the suspension, shock absorbers, steering and drive shafts as well as wheel bearings and brakes. The exhaust and fuel system will also be included in the MOT.
Lifting the bonnet – under the bonnet, the battery and wiring needs to be examined along with making sure the bonnet can be secured safely too.
Common reasons for failure are often so trivial that they could easily have been avoided. A tester can even refuse to evaluate a vehicle that is excessively dirty or messy, so make sure it’s not full of rubbish on test day. Cars can also fail if the number plates are dirty and can’t be seen properly, so give them a wipe if visibility is an issue.
Before heading to the test centre, ensure you’ve topped up your screenwash and check all your lights are working. A simple bulb replacement can save you the hassle of failing an MOT. Tread depth on your tyres is another major stumbling block for vehicles at MOTs. If the depth is less than 1.6mm, you’re looking at a fail. Changing your tyres before the test can help you to pass.
Check that all your rear seatbelts are operating correctly, especially if you don’t use them often. Cars will fail if there are problems with any of the seatbelts, regardless of whether they are used or not.