An MOT may seem like just another expense, but it can help reveal potential problems that could affect the safety of your car further down the line. To help make sure your car isn't one of them, keep reading to find out how to maximise the chances of your car passing first time.
We reveal the quick checks you can do to make sure you're not caught out by a minor fault, plus we update you on the new MOT rules. A reliable car is more likely to pass its MOT check.
Our survey of car owners reveals the most reliable cars. MOT test changes in England, Scotland and Wales introduced a new system from 20 May for categorising faults found with your car. The new MOT test also includes some new checks, plus stricter rules for diesel car emissions. There are also now stricter emissions rules for diesel cars with diesel particulate filters DPFs installed.
DPFs capture and store exhaust soot to reduce emissions from diesel cars. Some additional checks for the tester to perform during the new MOT have also been introduced, such as checking whether tyres are underinflated, brake pad warning lights work and brake pads or discs are missing. The MOT certificate is also changing to reflect the new changes. Plus, some vehicles that are more than 40 years old will no longer require an MOT, provided they haven't been substantially altered.
Car tyres must be the right type and size. If you've fitted a space-saver spare tyre onto one of your wheels, replace it with a standard wheel and tyre before the test.
Check that all tyres have a tread depth of at least 1. A quick way to check is to insert a 20p coin into one of the tread grooves. If the outer edge of the coin is completely obscured, the tread depth is sufficient.
Also look for significant lumps or cuts in the sidewall that could render it unfit for purpose. Tyres must not be obviously underinflated, either. Follow our guide for changing car tyres to make sure you fit them securely and safely.
All of your lights including headlamps, parking lights, reversing lights, indicators and registration plate bulbs need to be the correct colour and in good working order for your car to pass the MOT test. Daytime running lights will also be checked on vehicles first used from March , which will be having their first MOT checks in Clean your lights and then get someone to try them while you walk around the car.
If they flicker when tapped lightly with your hand, they probably need tightening into position or replacing altogether. Read our car headlights guide to find out which bulbs are best. The wipers and washers should work well enough to allow you a clear view of the road. Wipers that smear could potentially be worn out, so replace them before the MOT, and check your headlight washers if you have them.
Make sure you top up the washer bottle some garages will charge for this and use a pin to unblock the jets if necessary. Remove any stickers that could obstruct your view and look out for chips or cracks longer than 1cm about the size of a 5p coin.
Make sure your registration plates are in good condition and are tightly fastened to the car. All the letters and numbers should be easy to read from 20 metres away. Bear in mind that the police may view the use of unusual fonts as an attempt to obstruct the law.
All doors must open and close freely for your car to pass its MOT test. Once shut, they should remain firmly closed. Front doors should be able to be opened from inside and outside the car.
Walk around your car and look at its general condition. If there are, your car could fail its MOT test. Looking to remove shallow scratches from your car? Read our guide on the best car scratch removers. Pop up the bonnet and make sure the brake fluid reservoir and oil are topped up.
Sufficient levels of both oil and fuel are required for the garage to conduct an emissions test. Benefits if you're sick, disabled or a carer Understand what support is available for coping with ill health.
Benefits in later life You may be entitled for help with other costs on top of your State Pension. Problems with benefits What to do if something goes wrong with your benefits. Benefits All Benefits guidance.
Tool Money Navigator. Money Manager. Banking How to choose, use and manage bank accounts. Budgeting How to budget, find the best deals and switch to save money. Buying and running a car How to buy and finance a car, deal with problems with car finance, and cut running costs. Credit and purchases Credit basics, applying for credit, credit ratings and problems with credit. Insurance Insurance for cars, health, travel, and help with insurance. Types of credit Store cards, credit cards, overdrafts, payday loans and illegal lending.
Everyday money All Everyday money guidance. Tool Compare bank accounts. Budget Planner. Credit card calculator. Couch to Financial Fitness. Becoming a parent Having a baby, returning to work, childcare costs.
Death and bereavement Wills, inheritance, sorting out estates. Divorce and separation Sorting out money and homes, what if you have children, money after break ups. Illness and disability Managing costs, extra financial support, help with work or study.
Long-term care Paying and getting funding, ways to pay, problems with care. Student and graduate money Credit cards, bank accounts, student debts. Talk money Difficult conversations, talking to teenagers, older people and partners. Calculator Divorce calculator. Baby costs calculator. Buying a home Mortgages, help buying, remortgaging, first-time buyers, help and support.
Renting Renting a home to live in, renting out a home, and overcoming problems. Homes All Homes guidance. Calculator Stamp Duty calculator. Mortgage affordability calculator. Mortgage calculator. Coronavirus Support with work, housing, loans and money. Dealing with debt Bills, court fines, help with debts. Money problems and complaints What to do about mis-selling, compensation and complaints. Money troubles All Money troubles guidance.
Tool Debt advice locator. Money Navigator. Auto enrolment Introduction, how it works, all about contributions. Building your retirement pot How much do you need, ways to build your pot, transferring and merging. Pension problems Complaints, financial help when retired, changes to schemes. Pensions basics Starting a pension, types of pension, understanding pensions. State Pension How it works, what you might get, National Insurance.
Taking your pension Ways to draw your pension, when can you retire, Pension Wise appointments. Tax and pensions Tax allowances, tax paid on pensions, tax relief. Appointment Book a Pension Wise appointment. Pension calculator. Workplace pension contribution calculator. Find a retirement adviser. How to save Getting started, getting the most out of savings, problems. Investing How to invest, types of investing, buying and managing. Types of savings Help with meeting goals, tax-friendly saving, saving for children.
Savings All Savings guidance. Calculator Savings calculator. Employment Basics, benefits, tax and National Insurance. Losing your job What to do, alternatives, redundancy pay. Self-employment Starting out, insurance, tax, self-assessment.
Work All Work guidance. Tool Budget Planner. Redundancy pay calculator. Universal Credit Find out how Universal Credit works and how to manage your payment. Tool Money Manager.
Everyday money. Calculator Credit card calculator. Tool Couch to Financial Fitness. Calculator Baby costs calculator. Calculator Mortgage affordability calculator. Calculator Mortgage calculator. As you would when checking the brake fluid, do this test with the engine off and cool and the car parked on a flat, even surface.
Next, dip the dipstick back in and remove once more. Fortunately, changing your oil is inexpensive, easy and relatively quick to do, so if you notice your oil needs changing before your MOT, it can be sorted in no time.
These marks include chips, cracks or significant scratches. If in doubt, get it checked by a professional. You are not going to fail your MOT if your car is a little on the dirty side. However, you need to ensure that number plates are dirt-free so they are easy to read, and that your lights are not blurred by smudged glass. Needing to have an MOT sometimes serves as the only reminder to check certain parts of your car.
Avoiding your vehicle maintenance could be an accident waiting to happen. Your car might fail its MOT if it has either dangerous or major faults. Major faults must be fixed as soon as possible. The very latest you should leave your MOT test is the day the old one expires, because driving without an MOT breaks the law and will invalidate your insurance. For more motoring tips, check out our blog or follow us on Twitter and Facebook , so that you never miss a post again.
Share this post Facebook Twitter. What is an MOT? Does my car need an MOT? What work is carried out in an MOT? How do you pass an MOT? According to the MOT manual, there are three acceptable rear-view mirror positions: An exterior mirror or device that provides a view along the offside of the vehicle. An exterior mirror or device that provides a view along the nearside of the vehicle. An interior mirror or a device which provides a view to the rear of the vehicle.
Make Sure Your Lights Are Working Much like your mirrors, there are obligatory lights that need to be working on your car for you to pass your MOT: the front- and rear-position lamps.
0コメント