The purpose of an MOT is to check whether or not a vehicle is safe and roadworthy. It also assesses the amount of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons in your vehicle emissions to ensure any pollution created by the engine is kept to a minimum. While certain aspects of your vehicle’s functionality may be out of your hands, you can perform straightforward pre-MOT checks to increase the likelihood of passing. You don’t necessarily require a comprehensive understanding of mechanics, although a baseline understanding of your vehicle helps abundantly.
Tyres
Your vehicle may fail its MOT if one or more of your tyres has a tread depth lower than 1.6mm. Checking your tyres for signs of wear is exceptionally straightforward - all you need is a 20p coin. Insert your coin into the grooves of three different areas on each tyre; if the outer band is still visible, your tyre tread may be too worn to guarantee a pass. While a set of brand-new premium tyres can set you back upwards of £500, you can purchase perfectly safe and legal part-worn tyres for a fraction of the price. You should also ensure your tyres are properly inflated, as anything lower than 20 PSI could put you at risk of a blowout.Washer Fluid
As minor as it sounds, something seemingly insignificant as an empty washer fluid bottle, can impact your MOT certificate. Washer fluid acts as a lubricant for the pump and hoses in the windscreen washer system and is vital for maintaining excellent visibility. Although it will depend on the discretion of your MOT testing centre or even the specific mechanic assigned to your vehicle, at the very least, lack of washer fluid is generally listed as an advisory. Your mechanic may refill your washer fluid bottle as a courtesy; however, they could charge you for the service. Ensure your screen wash reservoir is fully topped up before taking your car in for its MOT.Windscreen Obstructions
Regarding visibility, your windscreen should be 100% free from obstructions to procure a pass. Anything from chips and cracks to decorative items like stickers could be considered an obstruction and deemed as unsafe. To be on the safe side, remove any obstructions, such as your sat nav cradle, beforehand. Furthermore, if you’ve modified your car with tinted windows, UK law states that the minimum levels of light transmission are 75% for your front windscreen and 70% for your side windows. Anything less could not only cause your vehicle to fail its MOT, but it could result in a penalty notice or court summons.Suspension
During an MOT test, your vehicle’s suspension will be checked in various ways for signs of wear. Whether you have the same suspension system that came with your car upon purchase or you’ve modified your ride with kw coilovers, everything should be fully functional and intact. There are many indicators of a worn suspension system, including irregular tyre wear and fluid leakage. You can check the health of your suspension before an MOT by applying weight to each corner of your vehicle, and upon release, your vehicle should settle reasonably quickly after one or two bounces. If not, your shock absorbers may need repairing or replacing.Lights
Your headlights could be the difference between a pass and a fail. While it’s usually relatively easy to ensure your lights are all in good working order, it may be worth enlisting the help of a friend or family member to assist you when checking your brake lights and indicators. Headlight and indicator bulbs are generally affordable and easy to replace, and many retailers will offer to fit your new bulbs free of charge. Keep in mind that if your lights continue to malfunction, it may indicate a wiring issue. You can read more about headlamp guidelines here.Above all, investing in servicing is the best way to guarantee a pass year after year. Services keep your vehicle in the best condition possible, helping to identify minor, fixable issues before they become problematic, unsafe, and expensive.