All You Need To Know About The MOT

An MOT test is an annual inspection conducted by the UK government to make sure your vehicle complies with safety and emissions regulations. MOT is an acronym for Ministry of Transport. It is a legal requirement to have a valid pass certificate for your MOT test each year; otherwise, you cannot drive your vehicle on the UK’s roads. Additionally, it could invalidate your insurance, and in the event of a collision or accident, you will not get any coverage. 

The majority of people are aware that they must have an annual MOT test, but there is sometimes misunderstanding regarding what exactly is included in the test and whether it checks for damage or just "wear and tear.” But fret not; this blog will answer all of the common questions about the MOT. Let’s dive right in. 

What does an MOT cover?

During an MOT test, your mechanic will check a range of components of your vehicle to ensure they meet the specific safety standards set out by law. These include:

Seat belts

Brakes

Driver’s view of the road (all mirrors and windscreen)

Electrical equipment, lamps and reflectors (Throughout the year, you should regularly inspect your lights and reflectors and replace any broken bulbs or casings if needed. It is illegal to drive if these components are faulty and you could receive hefty fines!)

Suspension and steering

Tyres and wheels

Exhaust, fuel, and emissions

Structure and body of the vehicle

General inspections, including the VIN, registration plate, and speedometer

A few of the most frequent causes of MOT failures

30% of MOT faults relate to lighting and signaling

10% of all MOT failures are related to tyres

9.6% of all MOT’s fail due to faults with the brakes

6.6% of all MOT’s fail due to issues with the Driver’s view of the road

What doesn't an MOT cover?

Your MOT will not cover issues such as ensuring that all working parts under the bonnet are functioning properly, so you should not rely on this test to determine whether you need replacement parts, unless something is so bad that the mechanic informs you that it must be addressed immediately, as an observation. 

An MOT test only checks the condition of your tyres and wheels, not your wheel alignment or balancing.

MOT tests will not include things like your gearbox condition, oil filter condition, battery condition, screenwash and antifreeze levels, heating and air conditioning performance, or anything not on the above list.

For this reason, it is also essential that you book your car or vehicle in for a yearly car servicing Corby process as well as an MOT. 

Rather than coming to the garage two times, you can schedule these two at the same time. It will help shorten the time you have to leave your car in a garage.

A car service (depending on the level of service that is provided by your garage) will identify any of the mechanical issues that could be overlooked during the MOT and ensure that your vehicle is in top condition. It will also prevent further damage and costly repairs later on.

The certifications your vehicle may get after the test

The test centre will give you one of the following certificates after the compilation of the MOT Corby. 

VT2O: 

If the tests show your car satisfies the requirements to pass the MOT, you will get this certificate. VT20 indicates that there are either no discrepancies present at all or very few in your vehicle. 

VT30: 

If your car does not pass the test, you will get this certificate. It states the issues that led to the failure. The stated problems must be resolved as soon as possible. 

What if my car fails its MOT test?

If your vehicle fails the MOT test, your mechanic will advise of any repairs and maintenance that need to be performed to bring it up to standard. After repairing the faulty components, you can go for a re-test within 10 working days of the prior test. Until then, you will not be able to drive your vehicle because you won't have a valid MOT pass certificate.

How long does an MOT take?

An average MOT test lasts 45 to 60 minutes, but there are a few additional factors to consider. 

Firstly, this will take longer if your car fails the test and repairs are required. A testing facility is not allowed to release a car that has failed an MOT until the issues are resolved unless your current MOT certificate is still valid or you are taking the vehicle to have the faults fixed.

Second, even if there are no repairs needed, the test may take an hour or less, but this does not mean your car will only need to be in the garage for sixty minutes. Test centres may ask you to leave your car there first thing in the morning and pick it up when it is ready. This means you should expect to be without your vehicle for the day.

So all in all, a valid MOT certification is essential for driving on the UK’s roads. It usually takes 45-60 minutes to complete. Don't forget to take your vehicle for an MOT test to be on the road with peace of mind. 

Read another blog: What are bulging and balding tyres?