Getting your car through its MOT seems to become more confusing each year with new items added to the checklist each year. When MOTs began, all the way back in 1960, they looked at three items only: that list has expanded to over thirty items at present. But getting through your MOT does not have to be a guessing game – here are five easy checks you can do to help your car pass its MOT.
Brakes, Lights, Steering
Those three original items are still on the list and they still take centre stage during an MOT test. If any one of these three fail, you are more likely to suffer harm or worse should your engine suddenly cut out in traffic, or something else go wrong with your vehicle. If the brakes, lights and steering are working well, you should, at least, be able to alert other drivers to your predicament, steer over to the side of the road, and stop safely.
Clean: Inside and Out
Get into the habit of keeping your car clean. You should always have a good view out through clean, unobstructed windows and mirrors, and some inspectors even object to small, discreet stickers on the windshields as these can hide a motorcyclist from your view until it is too late to evade them. The bodywork of the car should also be in good condition, and your number plate should be firmly fixed and easily readable: things you can check during your regular car cleaning!
Be Safe, Be Seen
As well as being able to see all around you, you should be visible to other road users, with bright lights, working hazards and indicators, and brake lights that show up well when you depress the pedal. This allows other road users to take evasive action in good time, in the event that something fails at an inopportune moment.
Tyre Matters
Tyres are checked very thoroughly during your MOT, so you should take steps to ensure that they are properly inflated, show no signs of damage, and have a good legal depth of tread over their contact surface. And, of course, they should respond well when you press the brakes!
Top Up Your Fluids
The MOT inspector will, as a matter of course, check any fluid levels that they can: from brake fluid to oil to water in your radiator – he or she will even check your windscreen washer reservoir to make sure it is filled with an appropriately soapy liquid (plain water can smear some dirt, making your visibility dramatically worse). Read through your owner’s manual and make sure you are topped up wherever possible. Including fuel: the inspector will need a decent level of fuel to conduct the test, and may refuse to test your car if it is running on fumes!
Once you are satisfied that your car is as ready as it will ever be; we would recommend you to avail car service and MOT facility in London at Elite Direct and we guarantee that their experts will make you their repeat customers.
Leave a Reply