A vehicle in the United Kingdom must pass an MOT inspection every year after it turns three years old. An MOT exam has only two outcomes: pass or fail. The MOT state of a car refers to whether it has passed or failed its MOT. When a vehicle gets its MOT, the owner receives a certificate proving that it is roadworthy. If you have misplaced your MOT certificate or want to know the date of the most recent MOT for a new vehicle you are considering purchasing, you can simply verify this online.
An MOT Basingstoke test ensures that your car complies with UK health and safety and environmental laws. Passing the MOT certifies that your vehicle is roadworthy in the United Kingdom. It is not, however, the same as having your car serviced and does not ensure the overall mechanical health of your vehicle. When your automobile gets its MOT, the garage that tested it will give you a MOT certificate.
Making these tests prior to your MOT could help your car pass the test.
Poor car upkeep leads to a lot of MOT failures. You could prevent a MOT failure, retest, and possible unnecessary expense by performing the below-listed checks.
Seat belts and seats
The driver’s bench ought to be movable and adjustable in both directions. All seatbelts, including those in the middle of the back of the car, should function as designed. They can be completely extended to check for any damage. Make sure they respond as anticipated when being firmly pulled.
Bulb and Light
Verify that all of your signals and indicators are in operation. This should include the lights on the vehicle’s front, back, sides, brakes, warning lights, and indicators. If you’re driving alone, it can be a little challenging to see the brake lights, but you can inspect them by reversing up against a wall or flat surface and pressing the brakes. You should be able to see if your brake lights turn on and off against the wall in your rearview reflection. While some bulbs can be challenging to swap out, the majority can get done without any technical expertise.
Number Plate
There are a few items to look for on the licence plate. First, make sure you have a normal British licence tag. It should show the letters and figures with the proper spacing and font. Second, make sure the number plate is clear and easy to read; simply wash it down to ensure this. Third, check that any lights or LEDs that encircle the number plates are operational.
Tyres
Check that your tyres are in good condition; a minimal tread depth of 1.6mm is permissible, but anything less than 3mm may impact the control of your vehicle. Check the rims of your tyres to ensure they are not harmed, as this can also result in a MOT failure.
Windscreen Wipers
Wipers that do not successfully remove water from the screen or leave stains and/or lines across the wiped area may fail the MOT. If you suspect that your wipers aren’t functioning as well as they should, you can simply replace them before a test.
Windscreen
Check for any harm to the windscreen. Any harm to the windscreen that exceeds 40mm will result in a failure. A failure will occur if there is more than 10mm of damage in the region that the wipers encompass. Most car insurance plans cover windscreen damage, so if you spot any, verify your coverage and have it repaired as soon as possible. If you leave it, it may worsen, particularly in the cold. If the cracks become too large, you may need to repair the windshield, which can be costly even if your insurance policy includes windscreen coverage.
Washer Fluid and Washer Jets
Many breakdowns, believe it or not, are due to shortage of washer fluid. When tried, the washer nozzles should function properly. The nozzles should not get obstructed, and there should be enough fluid. If any of the nozzles fail to function or there is insufficient washing fluid, the vehicle will fail its MOT.
Fluid Rates
Before a MOT, check all fluid levels. Oil, gasoline, coolant, and wiper fluid should all get checked. While some of these may not be failures on their own, the test facility may decline to perform a MOT if the levels are insufficient.
Horn
The horn is an important car safety element that’s tested as part of a MOT. When you press the horn, it is fairly apparent whether it is functioning or not.
Warning Indicators
Modern automobiles will usually notify you if something is amiss with them. Check the panel warning lights, as some of them, such as a seatbelt problem caution light, may result in a MOT Basingstoke failure.
Many of the issues that these tests reveal can get resolved with basic mechanical understanding. If there is something you are unsure about repairing yourself, notify the mechanic before your MOT. They can complete the job prior to the test, saving you the trouble of having to solve minor issues before re-testing.
