MOT test what to do beforehand

Interior Items

• Are the seats securely mounted?
  
• Are the seatbelts frayed and does the mechanism work correctly?
  
• Is there any damage to the steering wheel or too much free movement when you gently turn the wheel a few inches in each direction when the car is parked?
  
• Is the boot clear so an inspector can open it and inspect under the mat for rust or structural damage? (And he needs to be able to gain entry via the boot lid or tailgate.)
  
• Are there any cracks or chips in the windscreen? (Cracks or chips in the driver’s line of sight must not be larger than 10mm. Out of the driver’s field of view, 40mm is the limit.)
  
• Are all the rear-view mirrors intact and clean?

Exterior Items

• is the car reasonably clean? (Garages won't test VERY dirty cars.)
• are all lights working and not damaged in any way?
• if the car has a rear fog light, is it working and does the warning light in the switch or on the dashboard function as well?
• do all tyres have a minimum tread depth of 1.6mm?
• is either registration plate cracked or obscured?
• is the chassis/VIN number plate easily found (and legible)?
  

Mechanical / Bonnet Checks

• is the horn working properly?
• does the fuel cap fit securely?
  
• is the screenwasher bottle topped up?
  
• are the headlights correctly aimed?
  
• are there any leaks in the exhaust system? (You can usually hear the system ‘blowing’ from outside the car.)
  
• are the brakes and handbrake in perfect working order? (There must not be excessive pedal movement before the brakes start to ‘bite’.)
  
• are all the controls, such as indicators and switches, in good working order?

Final Tips

Giiving the car a reasonably long run (say 10-15 miles) before taking it to the test station is an option which may also help. This will ensure the catalytic converter, if one is fitted, is up to temperature and working properly to reduce exhaust emissions. Diesel cars and cars without a catalytic converter also benefit from a pre-test run as emissions are usually lower once the engine is up to the correct operating temperature.

Don't leave anything until the last minute either. MoT testers must, by law, test the car ‘as presented’ and they are not allowed to warm vehicles up before a test or make even the most minor repair or adjustment. If they find anything not conforming to the rules, they must fail the car.

Preparation

In an ideal situation, prepare your car more than a few days in advance of an MOT as it can be very annoying and time-consuming to have your car fail on some minor point such as an empty screenwasher bottle.

Checks such as those detailed above should form part and parcel of a regular inspection which will help you maintain your car in good order for your own safety and that of other road users.

Published: 8th July 2008