Tips and advice about your MOT test

For some people, taking their car or van for its annual MOT test can be a nightmare, comparable to going to the dentist. There are some things that you can do beforehand to give you the best chance of getting that MOT pass and not a MOT fail.

Some things that you can do to help yourself are listed below:-

Check your lights...

On the MOT test, almost all of the external lights are checked. The only exception are rear reversing lights and front fog/spot lights. Make sure that they are all working, don't flicker when gently tapped and are of the correct colour. Indicators should be amber, headlights either both white or both yellow, front side lights white (and ONLY white), rear side lights, rear fog lights and brake lights red. All the light lenses should be free from holes, and not have any dampness or water inside. While your at it, check the rear reflectors. These have to be red as well and virtually undamaged.

On the inside of the vehicle, check that the rear fog light, indicator, main beam warning, brake warning and hazard warning lights work as well. If you have ABS (Anti Lock Brakes) and airbags fitted, check that the warning lights comes on and then goes out as they are supposed to do (you may have to check your owners handbook for this).


Check your wheels and tyres...

All road wheels and tyres are checked (ie. not the spare). Make sure that all wheels and tyres are the same size, and if not, see if both front and both rears are the same. If the wheel nuts are visible, check that you've got them all and that they are tight. Look at the tyre walls and check that there are no bulges or cuts. Look at all the tyre tread, both inside and out - there has to be 1.6mm of tread on the central three quarters of the width of the tyre (easier done on the front wheels if you turn the steering wheel onto full lock), and if you can, have a look at the inner tyre wall as well.


Check your screen, wipers and washers...

Make sure that you've got water in your windscreen washer fluid bottle and that all the washer jets work and are not blocked. Look at the wiper blades (front only) to see that they are not split and clear the screen effectively. See if the windscreen is free from cracks, major chips and scratches. While there, look at your drivers' door mirror and check that the glass is not cracked and the mirror is secure and also have a look at your number plates - they should be undamaged, clear, secure and the letters and numbers should be spaced correctly. They should also be the same registration number front and rear (it has happened when different plates have been put front to rear!).


Feel the way your vehicle drives...

If you've heard any odd knocks, bangs or rumbling noises, or the brakes don't feel or sound right get them checked out - chances are that the MOT tester will find what's causing them and fail your vehicle.