Your latest MOT options – and everything else you need to know

Fortunately, that’s one thing you don’t have to stress about right at this present moment. The government has announced that MOT testing will be put on hold throughout the Covid-19 outbreak, the idea of course being to reduce contact between garage employees and customers. All cars, motorcycles and vans have been granted a six-month exemption starting from 30 March, meaning that – assuming they remain in a roadworthy condition – they can be driven without a valid MOT certificate. But of course, vehicles should still only be driven for absolutely essential purposes.

In the meantime, it’ll pay you to make a few preparations, particularly if this is the first time you’ve had to submit your vehicle to the test. Let’s start with the basics. As you probably know, the MOT is your car’s annual roadworthiness examination, carried out to regulations that are imposed by the DVSA (the ‘Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’). Vehicles over three years old being driven on public roads without a valid MOT are normally liable for a fine of up to £1,000. Plus without a certificate, vehicle insurance will be invalid.

The test itself is based around a set of safety and emissions criteria, the requirements obviously variable according to the vehicle’s class, age and size. There are around 20,000 licenced MOT testing stations in the UK and the test they provide (which takes around 45 minutes) will currently cost £54.85 (for cars and light vans) to cover admin, labour and material costs. If any faults on your vehicle are identified as illegal or dangerous, then a certificate obviously won’t be granted until you get them fixed. Minor issues – say a rattily exhaust or a tyre that’s a bit low on read) will be listed as ‘advisory’ and you’ll be requested to get these problems sorted before the vehicle’s next test.

So what can you do to ensure that your vehicle passes its test? Before visiting your local MOT station, why not run through this checklist?

Starting in the interior

• check that the seats are securely mounted.
• are the seatbelts frayed and does the mechanism work correctly?
• is there any damage to the steering wheel, or too much free movement when you gently turn the wheel a few inches in each direction when the car is parked?
• is the boot clear so an inspector can open it and inspect under the mat for rust or structural damage? He or she will need to gain entry via the boot lid or tailgate, so make sure that there’s not too many items in the boot that can impede their access to where they need to get.
• are there any windscreen cracks or chips? Cracks or chips in the driver’s line of sight must not be larger than 10mm, and out of the driver’s field of view.40mm is the limit.
• is the rear-view mirror intact and clean?

Check exterior items

• is the car reasonably clean? Garages won't test very dirty cars.
• are all lights working and their lenses undamaged?
• if the car has a rear fog light, is it working and does the warning light in the switch or on the dashboard function too?
• do all tyres have a minimum tread depth of 1.6mm?
• is either registration plate cracked or obscured?
• what is the condition of the wiper blades?
• is the chassis/VIN number plate easily found (and legible)? You’ll find this at the foot of the windscreen on the left hand side on a right hand drive vehicle.

Under-bonnet and mechanical checks

• is the horn working properly?
• does the fuel cap fit securely?
• is the screen washer bottle topped up?
• are the headlight beams correctly aimed so they don't dazzle drivers in oncoming vehicles?
• are there any leaks in the exhaust system? You can usually hear the system ‘blowing’ from outside the car.
• are the brakes and handbrake in perfect working order? There must not be excessive pedal movement before the brakes start to ‘bite’.
• are all the controls, such as indicators and switches, in good working order?
• if your vehicle is fitted with a tyre pressure monitor, this must be working too. Is it?

All correct? Now face the test with confidence and remember that a smooth-running car can only make motoring more enjoyable, safer and cleaner.

Tel: 01274 561 859

Email: brstp6@aol.com

Eldwick Autos,

Bradware Industrial park,

Harris Street,

Bingley,

BD16 1AE