Is your MOT coming up soon? Whether you’ve been driving the same set of wheels for years or your new car is due its first ever test, getting everything MOT-ready can feel like a lengthy process!
From simple faults and issues with tyres to deep-rooted engine problems, there are so many reasons why your car could fail its next MOT. But with some careful maintenance and prudent preparation in the weeks leading up to the test itself, you can boost the chances of passing with no advisories. We’ve explained a little bit more about it below.
1. Listen to your brakes
If you’ve noticed that your brakes aren’t performing as they should be – or perhaps they’ve started making strange noises – you should get them inspected immediately. Other signs that you might need to service your brakes include:
- Vibrations when you’re braking
- Brake pedal that feels spongy
- Car pulling to the left or right
- Grinding noise on the move
- Brake warning light on the dashboard
2. Check your tyre tread depth
In the UK, it’s a legal requirement for tyre tread depth to be at least 1.6mm. If you’re stopped by the police and it’s found that your tyres have less tread than this, you could get a £2,500 fine and up to 3 penalty points per tyre on your driving licence.
Your vehicle will also fail its MOT if your tyres have very little tread or seem to be in otherwise poor condition. We recommend that you check your tyres before you book an MOT near you, ideally leaving at least a month to sort repairs or replacement. If you spot any cracks, splits, worn rubber or lack of tread, it could be time to buy new tyres.
3. Check your windscreen
Field of vision is integral to safe driving. The windscreen wipers and washer mechanism should both work well enough to give you a clear and uninterrupted view of the entire road. If your wipers have recently started smearing, they might need replacing soon.
It’s also worth making sure that your windscreen is in top condition itself. Remove any adhesive stickers, including parking discs, that could obstruct your view of the road. Any cracks or chips in the glass larger than 1cm will need to be repaired before the test, too.
4. Clean your car
Looking after your car all year is important, especially for preserving its overall condition. The bodywork in particular must be free from rust, corrosion or excessive damage, especially if it affects the braking or steering. This type of damage could easily be classed as a major fault in your next MOT test.
Plus, your registration plates need to be clear and easily read from around 20 metres away. If it’s obscured or damage, it could cause your car to fail its MOT.
5. Check the lights
Finally, remember that all of the lights on your car need to be in working order and the correct colour. That includes:
- Headlamps
- Parking lights
- Reversing lights
- Indicators
- Bulbs for registration plates
On vehicles registered after March 2018, daytime running lights will also be checked. Once you’ve cleaned your vehicle, checked the tyres and ensured that there’s no damage or corrosion, you should change any bulbs as needed before the test.
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