For most road users their upcoming MOT is one of the most nail-biting experiences. But why is this? More often than not it’s because the MOT pass rate is so low.
Luckily, the most common reasons for failing are also the easiest to avoid!
In our quick guide we’ll discuss all the checks you can carry out on your vehicle to improve your chances of passing your MOT.
Below we’ve listed the things you can do to make sure your car meets the standards needed to pass an MOT.
Check your lights
Test your brakes
Check your tyres
Top up vehicle fluids
Check your steering
Check your mirrors
Test your horn
Clean your car
Check your VIN/Chassis
Most of these steps can and should be carried out every time you drive your vehicle as they ensure that you and others are safe whilst you’re out on the road.
Here is more information on the things you should do to keep your car in roadworthy condition to pass your upcoming MOT.
In 2017, the DVSA reported that the top reason for failing an MOT were lights.
Needless to say, the first thing you should do before setting off to the test centre for your MOT is to make sure that all of your lights are working properly.
You can check whether your vehicle’s lights work by:
Pressing the hazard button
Walking around your vehicle
Your hazard button won’t show if the switches for your lights are working correctly.
Therefore, you should also check each set of lights individually to ensure that their switches are working properly too.
Secure and working brakes are essential to driving safely.
You will need to check your handbrake and foot brakes before taking your vehicle to its MOT.
You should check all of your tyres on a regular basis.
Poorly kept tyres can lead to overheating, poor handling and even blow-outs.
Consequently, tyres need to be carefully assessed during MOTs to ensure that they are safe to use.
To pass an MOT your tyres need to meet the following standards.
It’s important to make sure your tyres are in good condition, especially during the winter months.
Despite safety concerns, there are over 13 million motorists in the UK with kerbed tyres.
Drivers have been warned under new changes to the MOT test that if their tyres do not comply with safety standards they could be fined £270.
It’s always good practice to fill up all the fluids your vehicle needs to run properly before an MOT.
Different tests happen during your MOT which require fluid in order to be carried out successfully. These include:
Checking emission levels
Testing your windscreen wipers
Checking foot brakes
Due to this it’s important to top up your vehicle’s oil, windscreen washer fluid and brake fluid before your vehicle is tested.
Your steering wheel should not be too stiff or too tight for you to turn.
If either of these is the case with your vehicle, then you could have an underlying problem with your steering fluid, steering gear or linkages.
First, you should check to see if your power steering fluid is leaking.
Next, listen out for grinding or thumping sounds whilst steering as this could indicate a problem with your steering gear which needs repairing before your MOT.
Check Your Car Mirrors
During an MOT, your interior and exterior mirrors will be tested to see if they are:
Securely attached to your vehicle.
Can be adjusted.
Don’t hinder your view of the road.
Here’s what to look out for when testing your interior and exterior mirrors:
Check Your Horn
This one speaks for itself! Just press your horn when it’s safe to do so to see if it works properly.
Avoid sounding your horn in built-up areas from 23:00 – 07:00.
Clean Your Car
A quick trip to the car wash never hurt anyone and it could be the difference between passing and failing your MOT!
Dirt and grime could be considered dangerous if it obstructs important parts of your vehicle.
Moreover, a clean car is easier for your mechanic to access and assess during an MOT.
Check Your VIN/Chassis Number
This is the final thing you can do to improve your chances of passing your MOT!
You must make sure that your Vehicle Registration Number (VIN), otherwise known as the Chassis number, on the body of your vehicle:
Matches the one in your vehicle log book (V5C).
Can be read clearly from the outside of your vehicle.
Keep in mind that your VIN could be located on a different part of your vehicle to this.
You can also find your VIN on the driver’s door frame, on the front of the engine block, or on the front end of your vehicle’s frame.
Make sure you know where your VIN is on your vehicle before your MOT!
Generally speaking, it’s easy to pass an MOT if you keep your vehicle in a roadworthy condition and perform basic checks on a regular basis.
Simple things which can cause a vehicle to fail its MOT such as low tyre tread and faulty headlight bulbs can be easily avoided.
However, it’s important to remember that the rules and regulations surrounding MOTs can change and that this can impact the likelihood of you passing your MOT.
Scrap Local recommends that you visit the official GOV.UK website for up-to-date information on what is required to pass an MOT.
The standards to pass an MOT are always changing and it’s important to use the GOV.UK website for up-to-date information on what is required.
Here are the most recent changes to MOTs in the UK:
In May 2020 the traditional fail or pass rating was replaced with a dangerous, major and minor rating system.
Classic vehicles manufactured in 1981 will be required to take an MOT test as of 2021.
Changes to the MOT inspection manual in 2021 will impact the types of headlights used on classic vehicles.
You can find out more about the 2021 MOT changes and the end to the MOT extension in our in-depth article.
Most classic cars will struggle to pass their annual MOT due to their age and reliability.
Recent changes to headlamp requirements could see many classic cars failing their MOTs as most have been fitted with LED bulbs. This type of bulb is no longer acceptable and will be counted as a fail under the headlamp portion of the MOT.
If your classic car fails its MOT or is too costly to repair, then you can scrap it with Scrap Local! Our team of salvage buyers can offer to remove your vehicle for a great price with no hidden fees.
For more information on how to scrap your classic car with us please read our quick guide.
Whether you’re a scrap metal dealer, vehicle recycler or even a scrap collector, joining Scrap Local today will give you access to thousands of new enquiries each month!
Quick Links
Scrap Car Collection
Join Newsletter
©ScrapLocal.co.uk is a trading name of Code Local Ltd - All rights reserved.
We have hundreds of scrap car buyers waiting to buy your scrap car.
