The MOT - short for Ministry of Transport is essentially an annual check for roadworthiness for your vehicle. It is applicable to all vehicles apart from brand spanky ones, but you need to get an MOT test by the third year anniversary of a new car's registration date.
Check your MOT renewal date
Be sure to make a note of your annual MOT date, the MOT renewal runs effectively 13 months so no excuses for tardiness! Say your MOT runs out on 10 Feb, you can test anytime from 10 January and it goes for 12 months from the original expiry date - obviously if you do it on the very last day then you will be at risk if the car needs any repairs done before it can be retested. You can be fined if you miss the renewal date! Helpfully you can check the renewal date here.
DID YOU KNOW? You can register for free text reminders here - you'll get a reminder one month before your renewal is due.
A good idea is to bring it in to the workshop for a pre-MOT - this includes me going over the car and rectifying anything I think might prevent your car from passing. As an MOT tester, I know what accounts to a fail or an advisory. Remember - this is about basic roadworthiness, the MOT check is an overview of your car, bike or van. It covers things like;
The exhaust - not noisy, no smoke plus emissions check
Brakes, suspension and steering - all in good working order
Number plates - visible, correct and properly secured
Bodywork - checking for rust near important components
Tyres - checking against the legal requirements for size, tread and pressure
Lights, mirrors & doors - checking alignment, closures etc
Safety features - seatbelts, airbags all functioning, condition of the seat etc.
It doesn't cover the engine, clutch or gearbox so get these checked periodically too.
What are the top reasons a car fails an MOT?
Borrowed from the money helper website, fails include;
Screen wash not topped up. This task takes minutes, so don’t be caught out by it.
The car was dirty or full of clutter. Clear the mess from the boot and front cabin and give the windows and mirrors a quick wipe.
A registration plate problem. For example, the plate used the incorrect type face/spacing, or was dirty or missing altogether. If you have a personalised plate, make sure it follows DVLA rules.
Stickers on the windscreen blocking the driver’s view. Make sure anything stuck to the windscreen like parking permits is outside the wipers’ sweep area.
Lit-up warning light on the dashboard. The MOT has included lit-up warning lights since 2012. So make sure you know what lit-up car warning lights mean and, if you have any, get me to sort out the underlying problem before the MOT.
How can I help my car stay in tip top shape for it's annual health check?
Essentially good car maintenance helps the longevity of any of the car parts. If you are neglecting the fluids, or running the tyres bald or close (don't get me started on wire showing on tyres - it baffles me and will be another blog post!) If you are not getting tracking checked, brakes replaced quickly enough you'll be adding to the stress on your vehicle. Think about it like your knees.... if you keep hydrated, fit, eat well, enjoy the odd pasty and beer but generally take good care of the ol' joints, they are likely to last longer.
Also if you notice something wrong, don't ignore it. If you are ever worried about a strange noise or knock, just pop by or give me a ring and one of us can look at the car.
I'm buying a new car, what should I check on the MOT?
You can check a vehicle registration online to see MOT history. I would be looking to see what advisory notes there were and whether they were rectified, i.e. did someone care for the car? If a car has noted issues then these get sorted so there is a pattern of care rather than ignoring, you know the car has likely had a pretty good life generally, reducing some of the risk of longer term issues - but this is not a guarantee.
I certainly wouldn't consider buying a vehicle if I can see a heap of neglect through MOT test records. If you don't get the full paper history when you view the car, have a look here at the past details to give you a sound idea of the sort of life your potential new purchase might have had.
My car is about to draw it's pension...
A final point on this is about deterioration - we all experience it (!!) so there is always going to be an expected deterioration as vehicles age - whether they do a couple of hundred or a couple of thousand miles a year. There is likely to be a bit of a longer list for repairs as a vehicle hits is elderly years due to rust and exposure to the elements, but they still need our love and most can be welded and returned to full glory.
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