An MOT Test is one of those things we all dread. None of us wants of our vehicle to fail. It can be expensive and quite frankly inconvenient.
Aroun 1.5 million cars fail their MOT test every year, but most of these failures could have been prevented with jus a few simple checks prior to the MOT test (These checks have been created with motorists in mind, not car mechanics, so they should be fairly easy to follow).
We are going to show you 9 pre-checks you can do yourself to increase the chance of your car passing it´s MOT.
Contents
How to Prepare for an MOT Test
Engine OIL
First of all you want to remove your dipstick fully and wipe it clean. Once clean, re-insert it back into engine fully (Don´t forget to give your vehicle a chance to cool down before you perform any of these checks).
Remove the dipstick once more and check that the oil is between the minimum and maximum levels on the dipstick. If it is below the minimum levels you might want to top it up a bit. Check your vehicle manual to find out what type of oil your car uses.
Lights
Ask someone to walk around your vehicle whilst you switch all your lights on and off. if any of your ligths don´t work, we advise you to take your vehicle to your local garage to replace them, they can be difficult to replace yourself.
Washer Fluid
You wouldn´t think it but an empty screen wash bottle will cause an MOT failure. We would recommend topping it up regularly, so you always have it when you need it.
WheelsTyres
You can use a 20p coin to check your tyres tread depth (The legal limit for a tyres tread depth is 1.6mm. it is recommended that tyres are renewed when the tread reaches 3mm in some areas). If the outer rim of the 20p is vsible then you need to get a new tyre. If the sidewalls of your tyres are cracked or perished then you may need to get them replaced also.
Windscreen
Ensure your windscreen is clean before checking it. The driver´s side of the windscreen is called the “swep” area. In the “swept” area, you´re allowed up to a 10mm crack or chip. However, in the passengers area, you´re allowed up to a 40mm crack or chip.
Windscreen Wipers
Tears or holes in your wiper rubber will cause your vehicle to fail it´s MOT test. Check your wipers by turning them on. If they squeak or smudge your windscreen then it might be time to replace them. Brand new wiper blades can improve your visibility massively.
SeatsSeatbelts
Check the belt material for any tears or damage and make sure it would hold you should it need to. Plug in all of your seat belts and check they lock properly to ensure safety for your passengers. Make sure the driver´s seat is able to adiust forwards and backwards easily.
Registration Plate
Make sure your number plate is clean and check the font and spacing of the letters on both plates front and back. They must comply with hthe legal requirements to pass the MOT test.
Horn
To ensure your horn works, give it a short blast.
If ti doesn´t work, find a repairer to fix it. If you come across any faults or damages then you can book your vehicle into your local garage usin bookmygarage.com. Alternatively, if you don´t want to complete these pre-checks yourself, then you can book a full service and an MOT on bookmygarage.com to get everything sorted