How to prepare and pass your MOT test

RULES about how often your car gets an MOT test could be changing – so here’s how to be prepared.

From checking your tyres to warning lights, MOTs can cost stressed-out Brits money – so it’s good to be prepared.

1

Under proposed changes to help ease the cost of living, motorists may only need to get their car checked every two years instead of annually.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps suggested lengthening MOT certificates’ validity in a Cabinet brainstorm yesterday.

The change could save Brits up to £55 each year, but drivers still really need to keep their car in good condition.

Tyres and wheels

Look out for damage to the sidewall of your tyres and make sure they’re sufficiently inflated. 

Lumps or cuts in the tyre could be a problem during the MOT test.

Use the 20p coin test to make sure your tyres have the right tread depth, which should be 1.6mm all the way around across the central three-quarters of the tread pattern.

The outer edge of a 20p coin will be completely obscured if the tread is deep enough.

Also be careful space-saver spare tyres could catch you out in the test, so replace them with standard tyres of the right type and size that fit properly before the test.

Lights

Check all of the car’s lights are working properly and are the right colour to pass an MOT test.

Have someone walk around the car and make sure they don’t flicker when tapped which could mean they need tightening or replacing.

This includes headlamps, parking lights, reversing lights, indicators, registration plate bulbs and, on more recent vehicles, daytime running lights.

Wipers and windscreen

Replace wipers that smear because they are probably worn out and top up the washers bottle.

Check your headlight washers if you have any.

Make sure there are no chips or cracks longer than 1cm on your windscreen and remove any stickers that could obstruct your view.

Number plates

Registration plates legally have to be in good condition, tightly fastened to the car and easily read from 20 metres away, so checking these is a must if you want to pass your MOT test.

Doors

Fix any broken doors or ones that don’t stay properly closed.

Front doors need to be openable from inside and out for safety reasons.

General condition

Make sure the exterior of your car is up to scratch.

Any sharp edges or pieces of metal sticking out could cause a danger to other road users and will definitely fail the MOT test.

Under the bonnet

Top up your brake fluid and oil so the garage can conduct an emissions test as part of the MOT, or you might be turned away.

The test now checks a car has no fluid leaks which could pose an environmental risk.

Inside a car

Your dashboard will pop up with flashing warning lights if anything needs to be fixed under the bonnet like power-steering or brake-fluid warnings.

Make sure you have a fully functioning speedometer or you will fail the MOT test.

Ensure your seats are fully secured and don’t move back and forth when driving. All seat backs need to lock into an upright position.

Seatbelts must be in a good condition for your car to pass its test, so make sure they are not frayed or damaged.

They need to be firmly fixed into the car and be able to click and release correctly.

Toot your horn to check it is audible and easily accessible for the driver.

Importantly, make sure you have an internal rear-view mirror and at least one driver’s side mirror which are clearly visible from the driver’s seat.

Mechanical checks

To thoroughly prepare your car for its MOT test, there are a few checks you can make to the car’s mechanics.

Lean on each corner of the car then release your weight to see if the suspension is ok – any body movements should settle down quickly.

Faulty suspension might creak or knock when you’re driving especially over speed bumps.

Check exhausts are not hanging loose and there is no ‘blowing’, caused by small holes.

Leaks, strange noises or dark smoke are big clues your exhaust might need attention.

Make sure your fuel caps are undamaged and there are no leaks to your fuel tank.

And finally, check your footbrake and handbrake by ensuring there are no leaks from the brake pipes and the brake discs aren’t too worn away.