Is the art and science of MOT testing something of a mystery to you? Do you dread putting your car into the hands of the MOT inspector, dreading that he is going to fail your car for some seemingly trivial point that doesn’t really seem to matter?
Why not take steps to find out exactly why the inspector might fail your car, and – even better – take steps to resolve as many of the small but significant points that the inspector will pounce upon? Let’s look at some of these.
The Really Easy Stuff
The MOT inspector is permitted to refuse to test a car that is unacceptably cluttered or dirty. Your car should be reasonably clean and tidy inside, and have a clean external body too. The wheel wells should be free of mud and dirt, the numberplate should be easily readable (and in a legal font) as well as being firmly attached. Visibility is important, so all mirrors, windows and windscreens should be clean, with working wipers and topped up reservoirs, so you can see clearly all around the vehicle when you are on the road.
Inside the Car
The inspector will sit in the driver’s seat and put your car through its paces. As well as checking the speedometer is in place and working properly, they will look for dashboard warning lights – none of which should be showing unless they are deliberately testing them, by, for example, opening the door – and also try out the brakes and light controls. The latter are usually conducted with the help of an assistant who walks around the car nodding yes or no at the result of each pedal-press or button deployment.
Underneath and Under the Hood
The inspector will conduct a careful inspection of the various systems that run from the engine underneath the car: exhaust, steering drives, fuel lines and the suspension. They will also carefully study the tyres and wheels, checking for excessive wear and tear on everything from the contact surface of the tyres to the axles and how well they turn under use.
The Top Three
The original MOT test in early 1960 was voluntary, conducted on vehicles over ten years old and checked just three things: the lights, the steering and the brakes. These features were deemed to be the most important when it came to reducing the risk of road accidents, and they are still very important now.
- Brakes: the brakes – both the service brake and the hand brake – must respond sharply to an emergency stop; and the service brake must allow the car to come to a controlled stop when required.
- Steering: the steering wheel should not have too much play – 13mm, or about half an inch for rack and pinion steering systems, and 48mm or two inches for other steering systems. The car should be steerable, even under emergency conditions, as this can make the difference between a light shunt and a serious crash.
- Lights: lights allow you to be seen as much as they allow you to see the road and other road users, alerting other drivers that you are turning or your brakes have been pressed, and warning them that you are having issues when they see the orange hazard lights blinking.
Other points that are checked include your tyre’s balance and alignment, how well they are inflated, your vehicle’s emissions must be within legal parameters, and any control devices should be in good working order and not have been tampered with. You can also check the full list online and then we will recommend, to get state-of-the-art MOT testing facility in London, visit MOT testing facility in London for DVSA-approved MOTs.
