MOT’S And What You Should Prepare For

How long does an MOT take and what gets covered?
An MOT test doesn’t take very long. The test takes around 45 minutes to an hour, and some owners choose to wait while the vehicle is being inspected.
If repairs are required following the test the process will take longer. During the test, the following areas are inspected:
• Exhaust and emissions – including checking for any leaks in the exhaust and fuel system
• Mirrors, wipers and windscreen – including any damage to the windscreen and condition of the wiper blades
• Vehicle Identification Number (VPN) – ensuring the vehicle displays its VPN is important
• Electrical equipment – including headlights, brake lights, indicators and fog lights.
• Steering – including the strength and condition of the steering wheel.
• Tyres – including tread depth and condition of the tyres.
• Suspension – including shock absorbers and any corrosion and wear.
• Brakes – including overall condition of pedals and brake efficiency.
• Seat belts and seats

When do I need to get an MOT test?
When your car is three years old from the date of its registration it will need its first MOT test – and then it needs to be retested every year on the anniversary of its last MOT test.
Once passed, you’ll get an MOT test certificate with the date of test on it, and the date of expiry so you know when the vehicle requires a new MOT. If you choose, you can get the vehicle retested up to a month (minus a day) before it expires and keep the original renewal date.
If your car fails its MOT, then you can only take your vehicle away if your current MOT certificate is still valid and no ‘dangerous’ problems were listed in the new MOT. Otherwise, you must get it repaired before you’re allowed to drive.
If you decide to take it to another garage to have the failed defects addressed, then your car will still need to meet the minimum standards at all times or you can be fined.

Can I drive without an MOT?
No. You can’t drive a vehicle without it having a valid MOT certificate. The only exception is that you’re able to drive your vehicle to its MOT test, so long as the test has been booked.

How can I prepare for an MOT test?
It’s a good idea to prepare an MOT checklist a couple of weeks before the date of inspection to make sure your vehicle is in the best possible condition it can be, this will allow you to proactively fix the issues and avoid any inconvenient circumstances if the vehicle fails the test.
Many vehicles fail an MOT for small issues which could easily been prevented before the test. You might be surprised at what can fail an MOT – some problems are relatively minor.

Pre-MOT checks
There are some quick things you can do as a driver to give your vehicle the best chance of passing its MOT. We go into more detail below.
1. Keep your car clean, inside and out. A boot full of clutter and an excessively dirty car could lead to an examiner refusing to carry out the MOT.
2. Give number plates a clean as they need to be readable to pass the MOT.
3. Check the windscreen wipers are in good condition, with no tears.
4. Check all lights are working. Ask a friend or family member to stand outside the car and confirm lights function properly.
5. Check your tyres have correct depth and tyre pressure too
6. Check your fluid levels – screenwash, brake fluid and oil.
7. Check that the horn works – give it a quick honk!
8. All of your mirrors should be intact and secure to ensure you can use them safely.

Exhaust and emissions
For fuel powered vehicles, Emmisions are tested using specialist equipment connected to your car’s exhaust. The legal limit varies depending on the age of the vehicle, with much stricter standards for newer cars.
Visible smoke from the tailpipe may mean an MOT fail – as can excessive noise so boy racers should beware.
The tester will also check both the exhaust system and fuel filler cap are fixed securely to prevent possible leaks.

Brakes
Brake condition is also assessed by examining the discs, pads and calipers, plus the relevant pipes and cables. Under the bonnet, the brake servo and master cylinder will be examined, too.
Testers usually put the car on rollers to check the brakes decelerate it effectively, and that they’re correctly balanced – i.e. that it stops in a straight line. The pedal rubber must not be worn to excess and the ABS warning light must work if anti-lock brakes are fitted. The handbrake/parking brake must work and hold the car firmly, even on a steep incline.

Doors and openings
Testers will check that the doors can be opened from inside and outside the car, and that all openings – including the bonnet and tailgate – can be shut securely
Bodywork
Sharp edges on the bodywork caused by corrosion or accident damage are not permitted, as they could injure pedestrians.
Rust is an MOT issue more generally, particularly for older cars. Excessive corrosion on safety-related parts, such as the steering and brakes, is a no-no, while rust within 30cm of these components may also result in a fail.

Horn
The horn must work and be loud enough to be audible to other vehicles. Also, car horns that play multiple notes or tunes are not allowed.

Lights
All lamps must be working correctly, including headlights, tail lights, indicators (inc. hazard lights), side lights, brake lights and rear fog lights. The latter are only required on cars built post-1986, and must activate a tell-tale symbol on the dashboard to alert the driver when they’re switched on.
The alignment of the headlights is also checked – and adjusted if necessary – to avoid dazzling oncoming traffic. All cars built after 1 April 1980 must have two red rear reflectors.

Seats and seatbelts
Seats should be securely fixed, Belts need to be securely fixed – including the clip/locking mechanism – and in good condition.
Inertia-reel belts should also retract properly to fit around the driver.

Steering
Steering faults are not easy to check or fix yourself. The tester will ensure the steering wheel and column are in good condition and fixed properly, and that there isn’t excessive ‘free play’ in the system.
The steering bearings are inspected for wear, while all bolts, clamps, gaiters and universal joints should also be checked. The operation of power steering (fitted to virtually all modern cars) is tested with the engine running. The wheels must not foul the bodywork on full lock.

Wheels and tyres
It goes without saying that all four wheels need to be securely attached to the car, with no bolts missing. Rims will also be examined for damage, including distortion or cracks, and the condition of the wheel bearings is assessed.
With regard to tyres, the law states that Tread Depth must be: “At least 1.6mm throughout a continuous band comprising the central three-quarters of the breadth of tread around the entire outer circumference of the tyre”. If your tyres are close to this limit, you may be given an advisory warning that new rubber is required soon.
Testers will also check the tyres for cuts or bulges and ensure that the same-size tyres are fitted on each axle. The spare wheel is not part of the MOT test, but it must be mounted securely if outside the car.
Windows and mirrors
Windscreen damage is a common cause of MOT failure. Chips or cracks must measure less than 10mm across if within the area swept by the windscreen wipers. Outside this area, up to 40mm is allowed.
The Wipers and the rubber blades must be in good condition. Likewise, rear-view mirrors must be secure and not damaged to an extent that could impair the driver’s vision.

MOT exemptions
Cars that are 40 years old or more are exempt, unless the vehicle has had substantial changes.

At Eclipse Autos in Bletchley We have full MOT testing bays for cars and motorcycles
Book early to avoid not being able to get an MOT in time.