How to Prepare Your Vehicle for the MOT Test

Once your vehicle has reached its third birthday, you’ll have to book it in for a MOT Test at least once a year.

The entire process is very strongly regulated and because of this, you’re only able to take your car for a MOT Test at an approved MOT test centre.

In the UK, the MOT Test has a long history. The main reason it was implement back in the 1960’s was to try and reduce the high amount of traffic accidents in the 1950’s and 1960’s.

MOT Test: Who Regulates the Scheme?

Today the  Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) are charged with maintaining, overseeing and regulating the MOT scheme.

To ensure the high standards of professionalism and safety do not drop, VOSA are responsible for authorising MOT Test Centres and approving the individuals who carry out testing.

As part of their ongoing attempt to maintain standards, members of VOSA carry out checks on local garages, testing not only the mechanics’ knowledge, but the facilities as well.

Some of their duties include:

• authorising the MOT test stations and approving MOT testers
• setting standards for testing and requirements for authorisation for the MOT test station and testers
• training authorised examiners and MOT testers
• visiting MOT test stations and carrying out checks to ensure testing standards and facilities are being well maintained
• giving advice and taking disciplinary action where tests are not being carried out to the required standards
• dealing with appeals and complaints from MOT customers

On the administration side of things, they are also in charge administering appeals against MOT results and complaints from motorists.

What parts are tested in a MOT Test?

The main parts of the car tested are (in no particular order):

• Lighting Equipment
• Steering (including suspension)
• Brakes
• Car Tyres
• Seat Belts
• Exhaust system
• Exhaust emissions
• The Fuel system
• Driver's view of the road
• Windscreen
• Windscreen Wipers
• Horn
• All the mirrors
• Registration plates and Vehicle Identification Number

Prepare Your Vehicle for the MOT Test

To maintain your vehicle and keep your car in top condition it is recommended that you book it in for a car service after at least every 6,000 miles of use.

If you book it in on a fairly regular basis for a car service, you can help to keep all the components of your vehicle, which are fundamental to your car passing the MOT test, in a good state.

There are a number of quick and simple pre-test inspections you should carry out to prepare your car for its MOT test.

This not only helps to make the mechanic’s job simpler, but also allows you to take note of anything that could potentially fail your car and will give you time to correct it before the examination takes place.

• Check that all your tyres are in excellent condition and have a tread depth of at least 1.6mm
• Check lights, that is all lights, on your vehicle are fitted with functioning light bulbs
• Check your seat-belts function correctly and are not excessively worn out
• Make sure that your boot is not cluttered, and the rest of the car is tidy
• Make sure that the body work is not excessively damaged. Essentially, make sure that there are no jagged exposed edges that could injure a pedestrian

By following these tips, you will have done as much as you can to help the MOT test go as smoothly and successfully as possible.

Regular Car Servicing Saves Money

Car servicing is more fundamental than people sometimes realise.

Through garage services, mechanics will spot small problems (and fix them) that if not discovered, will turn into big problems that cost you a lot of money – in a worst case scenario these small problems could become so big that you need a new car.

By saving a quick buck here, you could be driving your car into a deep patch of quicksand, which will be more than happy to suck away any cash you have.

Regular maintenance and car servicing will mean that any small problems are spotted and can therefore be fixed before they become a big problem - a big problem that may cause your car to fail its MOT.

If this happens, not only will you have to fork out the money for the repair bill, new parts, and the labour time, but you will then have to pay once more for another MOT test.

So, make sure that you keep on top your servicing and maintenance. It may seem like a big pain in the proverbial derrière, but it can really help you save money in the future/long term.

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