Once your car is more than three years old, it is a legal requirement to have your car MOT tested yearly. Nearly half of all faults found during an MOT could have been avoided by carrying out simple maintenance on your vehicle. This article will dive into exactly what pre-checks you should be doing before your MOT. Not only that, but carrying out these checks could save you a lot of time and money spent on a new test. Unsure what an MOT test involves? Check out our previous article for all you need to know.

Lamps Reflectors and Electrical Equipment

Fact: 30% of all MOT faults relate to lighting and signalling

Lights

Ask a member of your family to walk around your vehicle while you operate the lights inside to check that each one is working correctly.

Horn

Simply press your horn to check it’s still working correctly!

Battery

Open your bonnet and check that all connectors are in place securely and that none are corroded.

Brakes

Fact: 9.6% of MOT fails are due to brake issues

Does your car pull to one side when you apply the brakes? This is a serious problem that a mechanic such as Car Doctor must address for your safety.

Tyres

Fact: 10% of all MOT faults are related to tyres.

Use a tyre depth gauge to check your tyre’s tread depth. The legal requirement is 1.6mm.

Vehicle’s Body

Registration Plates

Your number plates must be visible from a distance of 20 metres. Make sure to clean your number plates and make sure that they are legible.

Speedometer

Check that your speedometer can be read and the dashboard lights illuminate in the dark.

View of the Road

Fact: 6.6% of MOT fails are due to issues with the driver’s view of the road.

Mirrors

Check your mirrors for chips or cracks that could prevent you from seeing the road clearly. Replace your mirrors if necessary.

Wipers

Check your wipers for any signs of wear or corrosion.

Windscreen

Check screen wash levels and top up if needed.

Book Your Car in With a Mechanic You Can Trust

There you have it! Simple checks you can carry out before you take your car for it’s yearly MOT. Our team of reliable mechanics complete all MOTs to the highest standard. We charge an appropriate price and are more than happy to discuss any queries you may have about your vehicle.

Book your car in for its yearly MOT today by calling us on 01634 730 684!