Is Your Car MOT-Ready For Spring?

James Sprosen ·
Winter is always hard on a car. With low temperatures and unpredictable weather, it all takes its toll on your car. With our help, your car will go from winter-ragged to spring-fresh.

Before your MOT...

You have a few things you could do to make the test less of a stress. Knowing you have replaced, topped up and spring cleaned can give you peace of mind. You can be sure that going into the MOT that you are as prepared as you can be. So, what do you need to do? 

  • Clean your car 

This is more necessary than you think. If the MOT tester has to dig through layers of mud in your wheel arches or piles of your personal belongings, the garage could refuse to test it at all. Quite understandably, they’re not there to give your car a free wash and vac. 

  • Windscreen wipers 

With great deals on brands like Bosch and Michelin, you’re already in the right place for fresh windscreen wipers. Enter your reg for a quick and easy recommendation for your car. Don’t let something as small as worn and squeaky windscreen wipers be the reason you fail your MOT. 

Take a look at our fitting guides to replace yours in a matter of minutes too. 

  • Lights 

Check that all your lights are in full working order. This can be tricky to do alone, so the best solution would be to ask someone to watch as you trigger them. 

Any blown bulbs will need to be replaced. PowerBulbs is ideal for a fast and easy purchase, ensuring your car is MOT-ready ahead of time. 

  • Tyres 

Don’t get caught out by one of the most common MOT failures - tyres. As long as your tyres have a minimum tread of 1.6mm, are properly inflated and are in good nick, they’ll pass.  

But don’t always keep your tyres to minimum expectations. Tyres are the only part of your car that touches the road. This means no matter how well kept the car is, if your tyres are below par, you’re still taking your life in your hands. 

  • Fluids 

Without keeping the right fluids topped up, your car will likely need expensive fixes to correct your mistake. Engine oil, coolant, power steering, brake fluids and washer fluid are crucial to the running of your vehicle. To be certain of the correct types of fluids to buy, check the handbook provided with your car. 

  • Horn 

We don’t often use our horns when driving. When they’re needed it’s usually an important moment to draw attention to your position on the road. You don’t want this failing when it’s needed. Ensure yours makes a clear, loud noise and that the button inside the car to trigger it is working as it should too. 

  • Mirrors and windscreen 

Check over your windscreen for chips or any other damage. There are many windscreen repair service providers available to choose from nowadays. Make use of these before your MOT and, more importantly, before it turns into a crack. Your mirrors should also be undamaged. 

Servicing

You can always check with your dealer or with an independent garage to get a service for your car before an MOT. They will check these points and more for you. Some fill your fluids for free too. 

What is checked in an MOT?

There are a lot of boxes for your car to tick before it can pass an MOT. Making sure your car is safe on the road is a detailed process. As well as the parts detailed above, they will check the: 

  • Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) 
  • The condition of the brakes 
  • Bodywork 
  • Doors 
  • Windows 
  • Exhaust and emissions 
  • Electrics 
  • Seats and belts 
  • Steering and suspension 
  • Towing bars 
  • Wheels 

How much does an MOT cost?

MOT pricing differs depending on the type of vehicle you are taking in. For a car, the most you will be expected to pay currently is £54.85. 

If I fail an MOT, what happens?

A failed MOT is usually due to a problem identified during the MOT test making it unsafe to drive your car. MOT problems are defined as ‘dangerous’, ‘major’ and ‘advisory’. An ‘advisory’ won’t cause you to fail, but you should look into fixing it as soon as possible.  

‘Dangerous’ problems and ‘major’ problems are a different matter. If your car has a ‘dangerous’ problem, you won’t be allowed to drive the car at all. It will have to be repaired at the garage it’s sat in. ‘Major’ problems mean although it’s not recommended, you should still be able to drive it home but only if the previous MOT is still valid. This will give you more freedom to choose where to get the car fixed should you choose to do that. 

Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

With MOTs it is sometimes difficult to gauge which way the arrow will point. Cars can be notoriously unpredictable. But ensuring you’ve done everything possible to prepare your car gives you the best chance of having a safe car. It will also help to save money on repairs and repeated MOT testing! Meaning you can drive away with your fresh, problem-free MOT test certificate for another year. 

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