MOT Advice

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The famous MOT test has been around since, believe it or not 1960 and when originally introduced it applied to motor cars that where ten years old and over and as you might imagine the build quality was not quite up to todays standards and the failure rate from the tests was absolutely horrendous.

By the time 1967 had come round the compulsory MOT period had dropped to the standard it remains at today, three years. Every car that reaches the age of three has to undertake an MOT and from there on annually for the rest of its productive days. Obviously the MOT standards have gotten tougher over the past forty years especially as technology has developed.

Motor cars are very sophisticated pieces of machinery and much of the car now actually relies on computer technology for its controls. The MOT is essential a health and indeed safety check for the car to ensure you and others remain safe in it presence. Many garages offer a drive in and while you wait service however we would always recommend you book in advance with your local authorised garage or car dealer. The MOT must not be confused with a car service they are totally different and serve different purposes.

When the car in being examined for an MOT the engineer conducting the test is not there to find and fix problems he or she will simply fail the car and advise on what points the vehicle has failed. It is then your responsibility to arrange for the vehicle to be correctly repaired before submitting it again for another MOT, and yes with many garages you will have to pay another fifty plus quid to take the test all over again. The MOT is a serious procedure designed to save lifes and is designed to ensure you are made aware of serious issues that could or are causing the vehicle not to perform correctly before they cause a major problem.

The examination is thorough and it would be advisable to speak to your local authorised garage about what they check on the car because there are some simple checks you can do and correct before taking the vehicle in for its test. Check oil levels, water levels and make sure they are topped up correctly Make sure your windscreen wipers work properly and are not worn out Check all your lights, head lights side lights, indicators, brake lights and reverse light, if any do not work replace the bulbs get them working Make sure you have no stickers, badges on the drivers side of the windscreen Its amazing how many cars fail an MOT because of a one pound bulb not working or because a sticker is obscuring the drivers view. Remember your simple checks and take professional advice on what will be checked in the MOT. If you drive without a legitimate MOT certificate you are committing a criminal offence.

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