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Your car has to have a MOT (Ministry of Transport) test annually as soon as the car is three years old. You are breaking the law if you drive without a valid car MOT unless you are driving to the garage where the test is going to take place. If you use this excuse when stopped by Police, you need to make sure that the garage knows you are coming.
There are various schools of thought on the MOT process. Some people take the car to a garage, have the car MOT done, then take the fail sheet to your repair garage and leave the car to be fixed. Then take it back to the MOT garage for re-test which is usually free.
However, there are various things you can do try and ensure your car passes the MOT test first time:
Check your tyres – the car will fail if the tyres are illegal yet it is amazing how often people expect the car to pass when the tread bar is clearly showing.
- Check your horn – does it work and is the noise distinctive?
- Your doors must open from inside and outside so make sure you check them.
- Check all your lights, replacing bulbs if required. You do not want the car to fail because your bulb has gone on a headlight.
- Your VIN number should match that on the last MOT certificate or your registration book if this is the first MOT.
- Your registration plates must not be obscured and must be the correct colour i.e. only cars registered before the early 70’s are allowed to have black and white plates.
- Are your seats all firmly secured and fitted with the correct seatbelts? The seatbelts can’t be frayed, loose and must all clip in securely.
- Is your windscreen cracked or chipped? This can cause a fail especially if on the driver’s side so it is best to have it repaired prior to going for the test. You can usually have chips repaired at little to no cost at your convenience. They will come to your home to do the repair if necessary. Windscreens that are cracked will have to be replaced but again this is a fairly minor cost and quite a lot of insurance policies include car windscreen cover.
- Check your windscreen wipers are working and are fitted correctly. If in doubt replace them. You can have this done at Halfords if you are unsure how to do it yourself. The preparation for your Car MOT is not the time to be practicing new skills.
- Fill up your water bottle for windscreen washing and also check the oil levels. While you are looking at the engine make sure there are no leaks.
- Check your brakes and brake fluid to ensure all is operating as it should.
- Check your steering. If you are not sure what is meant by that, ask a more experienced driver to check it for you.
Don’t be fooled into thinking that as your car just had a service it will sail through the MOT. Unfortunately a service is not a guarantee of passing. It can be a good idea to combine your annual service and your Car MOT so that the garage doing the servicing ensures everything is in correct working order prior to the MOT.