Is an MOT a valid requirement?
A MOT (Ministry of Transport test) is an annual safety test to ensure that your vehicle meets the safety standards for road traffic and exhaust emissions levels set in the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA or, more commonly, VOSA).
During the test, crucial parts of your vehicle will be inspected to determine if they comply with the legal requirements and it is safe for driving. In May 2018, the new MOT regulations mean that any defect are classified as dangerous, serious or minor.
If your vehicle has passed its MOT, it could be able to fix minor problems (which need to be rectified promptly to avoid it from getting any worse). It may also pass with advisories. This means you need to be aware of the problem and make repairs when it becomes more severe.
Does my car require an MOT?
If your vehicle is older then three years old it is legally required to pass an MOT. If you find it difficult to remember when your MOT expires then you can sign-up to receive government-issued reminders via sending a text or an email.
Without a valid MOT your vehicle isn’t roadworthy. You won’t be eligible to renew your car insurance or tax, and as a result you’ll not be able to drive your vehicle.
What is the work that’s performed by an MOT?
While the MOT doesn’t examine the condition of the engine and gearbox, it will take a look at the other major elements of your vehicle therefore you should maintain a good track record of your vehicle’s maintenance in order to get it passed.
The MOT test will check car’s body, the vehicle as well as the structure of the vehicle and general state of repair of the vehicle and ensure that it’s not suffering of excessive damage in any particular area. They’ll also check tow bars, exhaust systems for fuel and seats, seatbelts doors, mirrors brakes, load security as well as tyres/wheels and lights. the bonnet, the windscreen washers/wipers, the horn suspension and steering components, as well as electrical ones.
It’s an awful lot of things, and could appear impossible to complete What do you do to ensure that all these items are functioning properly every day?
In reality, there may be parts of your vehicle that you will not be in a position to inspect yourself. However, there are components that you can examine and ensure that they’re in good working order and in perfect operational before you take them to the MOT station or else you might be unable to pass on a minor issue that is fairly easy to fix.
How do you pass an MOT?
The solution is simply maintaining your car and ensuring that the fundamental items are in good condition prior to making it for a garage.
Here’s the list of 10 simple tasks to complete before taking your car to the garage to have an MOT.
1. Check Brake Fluid
Our MOT checklist starts by checking the brake fluid. Remove your car’s bonnet make sure that your vehicle is shut down and running cool sitting on a flat surface. Look for the master piston.
There will be markings that state “min” and “max” and the liquid inside the container must be within these two directions. If it’s below, you must replenish it. You can purchase brake fluid at the nearest car shop and make sure it’s the right fluid for the model and make of your car and you will locate this information in the manual of your vehicle.
Before closing the cap, you should check what the state of your brake liquid is. It is expected to be clear or have an amber hue, although it could turn brown as it ages. If this happens it is time to change your brake fluid. It is possible to conduct an even more extensive test by purchasing chemical strips and then dipping them into brake fluid.
Once you’ve completed all of your tests, remember to completely shut off the bonnet.
2. Make sure you check the mirrors.
To successfully pass your MOT test You must be able to pass the test with your mandatory mirrors. This is a requirement for one interior plus one outside mirror.
As per the instruction manual of the MOT there are three rear-view mirror angles:
A mirror on the outside or device that offers views of the side or rear of the car.
A mirror on the outside or device which provides a view on the side of the car.
A mirror in the interior or device that gives an image of back of the car.
When you check your car’s mirrors make sure that none of them are damaged and severely hindering the view of your car or exposing damaged edges.
3. Be sure to check for all Warning Lights
We’d like to believe that if a red light was visible the dashboard of your vehicle, you’d check your vehicle manual to figure out what the issue was, and book it to have it fixed quickly.
But, if you’ve allowed this to go, there’s no better time for you to wait until the moment is right to fix it. It will be detected during your MOT, and you’ll fail in the event that you don’t do it before you start and don’t allow a potential danger to your vehicle continue to linger.
This is known as the’malfunction indicator lamp test’. It was took effect in 2012 following an update in the European testing directive. It’s a straightforward test. If the tester switches on the ignition and the warning light comes up, you’ll not pass the MOT test, in addition to likely being charged an additional cost to have the garage investigate and figure out what the light is indicating.
4. Make sure that the tires have enough tread
It’s not the only reason to be on top of your tread on your tyres. It’s essential that your vehicle has the correct tread levels since, if they’ve been removed, it could alter the distance you stop, especially in rainy weather.
If you’re found on the road with tyres that aren’t the necessary depth, you may be subject to an amount of fine up to 3 penalty points and PS2500 for each tyre.
UK driving laws require that your vehicle is equipped with the correct size tyre and type, and the tyres fit to the purpose.
The legal minimum tread for tyres within the UK is 1.6mm in an uninterrupted band that wraps around the middle on the side of the tyre.
You can quickly test the tread on your tyres using the aid of a coin worth 20p. Take the coin and put it in the grooves in the tyre. It should be impossible discern the exterior part of the coin, if your tyres fit within the limits of the law. If you observe that area that is visible on the coins, your tyres may be dangerous, and it is recommended to have them checked and replaced by a professional prior to your MOT.
5. Make sure your lights are In Working Order
Like your mirrors there are lighting fixtures that must be functioning on your vehicle to be able to pass the MOT test: the rear- and front-position lamps. The precise position of these lamps will not count in the examination, but it is recommended to verify that both lamps are at the same height and they’re functioning, unobstructed and in good working order.
6. Test Your Horn
Perhaps the most simple and quick test you can do it’s likely to be the most straightforward, and should this fail it would be obvious of it and repaired the problem. When you’re performing the full check-ups prior to MOT make sure you check the Horn.
7. Check that Your Vehicle is Equipped with oil
The oil test is a crucial component of an MOT as without it, garages cannot examine the emission levels.
You can test this by taking a quick glance beneath the bonnet. Like you do when testing your brake fluid perform this test with the engine off , cool, with the car placed on a smooth, flat surface.
Find the dipstick, then pull it out. Then, wipe off any oil residue to ensure you start with a clean piece of equipment. Then put the dipstick back into the oil and then remove it again. It should appear that the oil is being positioned between the’min” and’max’ marks across the dipstick. If not you need to refill your oil.
Being on top of this is essential for the safety of your car and ensures that your oil doesn’t degrade and block your car’s filters. It’s good to know that replacing your engine oil can be affordable and simple to perform If you find the oil needs to be changed prior to the MOT, it will be done in a matter of minutes.
8. Give Your Windscreen a second chance
Windscreens are a difficult area to judge because certain marks pass an MOTtest, whereas other marks won’t.
In theory, so the mark does not exceed 10mm in diameter and isn’t blocking the driver’s view , or one side on the windshield or when the mark isn’t more than 40mm in the remainder of the windscreen it should be fine. This includes chips or cracks, as well as serious scratches. If you’re not sure, get it examined by a qualified professional.
While you’re checking your windshield make sure to ensure that your wash reservoir contains enough liquid in addition to ensuring that the wipers in good in good working order.
9. Clean Your Car
It might seem like an unnecessary step however it’s a great idea to make it an element of final check. You won’t be able to pass your Cheltenham MOT test if your vehicle is dirtier than normal. But, you must make sure that your number plates are free of dirt so they’re easy to read, and your lights aren’t blurred because of smudges in the glass.
10. Make sure you are on top of your Maintenance All Year Long
The requirement to undergo an MOT can be the sole reminder to inspect specific parts of your vehicle. However, we advise you to keep track of your vehicle’s maintenance all through the year, to ensure your vehicle’s performance and keep your vehicle as safe as you can. If you don’t take care of your car maintenance, it can be a risky accident just waiting to occur.
What happens if the car is not able to pass its MOT?
Your car could fail its MOT if it’s got serious or dangerous problems. Your car cannot be driven until the dangerous defects have been fixed. Major problems must be addressed immediately.
Your vehicle fails its current MOT in the existing timeframe
If you’re getting a new MOT after expiry of the previous one You are able to take your vehicle away to have major issues fixed however, not if it is faulty and has dangerous faults.
Your car has failed its current MOT test, but the previous one is expired.
The earliest you can take your MOT test off is when the old one expires. Driving without an MOT violates the law and can make your insurance invalid. If your vehicle fails its MOT test on the day when it’s scheduled to expire, it is possible to take it off the next day to have it repaired , provided that it doesn’t have dangersome faults.
Do electric cars require an MOT?
Yes. Like all vehicles once it’s three year old, all electric cars are required to be tested annually. The only distinction is that the emissions test isn’t included in the MOT for electric vehicles.
