Vehicles that are more than three years old to their registration date are legally required to take an MOT (Ministry of Transport) test annually to check if they are roadworthy and meet road safety standards. In Northern Ireland, you need to take an MOT after four years of their registration date.
In this article, we will cover all the things you need to know about MOT Sprin Hill testing, including what components get checked during the testing, how to pass the test and if the vehicle fails then what should you do, all covered. So if you are interested in knowing about MOT then keep reading.
We also mentioned a complete MOT checklist to help you prepare for the test and give your car the best chance of passing its MOT test.
When is Your MOT Due?
When your car passes its MOT you will get a certificate with the date of expiry on it, which lets you know when the renew the MOT certificate. For some reason, if you lost the MOT certificate, you can visit the gov. uk website and enter your registration number and vehicle manufacturer to get your MOT certificate. You can also check your MOT and road tax status to know when your next test is due.
Is There Any Grace Period For An MOT?
No, there is no grace period as your car MOT expires and it is not legal to drive on the road except in some circumstances. The only exception you can drive your car without an MOT when you drive your car to a pre-booked MOT test centre with valid proof of the appointment.
How Does MOT Work?
When your car MOT is due, you can’t just go with your vehicle to any old garage. Only a few centres are legally allowed to perform the MOT test. To ensure you are using a legitimate facility and the test is performed in a standardised manner, look for a blue sign which shows three white triangles on it which shows the centre is certified to perform MOT tests.
During the test, the MOT tester will be thoroughly examined for any minor, major or dangerous faults. They look at everything such as the engine, clutch and gearbox.
How Should You Prepare for Your MOT?
Preparing for your MOT needs a bit of organisation. You need to make sure your timing is right, check your MOT certificate look for the next due date and ensure you are in the correct time window. You should book an MOT appointment one month before the due date of your MOT to stay on the safe side.
Rather than booking your MOT appointment at the last date and for some reason will not get an appointment then you can able to drive your car on the road. If you are struggling to remember your next MOT due date then you can sign up for the email reminders that are provided by the government.
Once you booked an appointment for your MOT test, the next thing you need to do is make your own MOT checklist. Write down all the components which will be checked on during the test. Check the components but inspect only those parts which are safe for you to test. There are a few mechanical parts you shouldn’t check if you are not an expert in this area.
If you need some guidance on what to check, we are going to share a list of the most obvious areas you should check. It’s not a good idea to check all the parts at the last minute of your car’s due date. You need to have enough time to check your car so that if there are issues, you have the time to fix them.
What is The Pre-MOT Checklist You Should Follow?
There are some simple things you can do as a car owner to give your car the best chance of passing its MOT. If there are any of the parts need to be fixed you can follow the checklist to do all necessary repairs or replacements before the renewal date.
- Clean your car from inside and out. A car full of clutter and dirt could lead to a tester refusing to perform the MOT.
- Clean the registration number plate of your car and ensure the light above the plates should work.
- Check the windscreen and mirror are in good condition and ensure there are no tears.
- Check all the lights are working such as headlights, indicators and other dashboard lights. Ask your friend to stand outside to check if all the lights are working.
- Check tyre tread depth using a 20p coin and also check the tyre pressure.
- Top up all the necessary fluids in your car including screenwash, oil and brake fluid.
- Check the car horn and it works correctly.
- All of the car mirrors should be intact and there should be no tears in them.
- The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) in your car’s logbook should match the marked on your car’s bodywork.
- If your car needs a quick repair, then get help from an expert to fix the issues. There are lots of mobile mechanics service providers available to help and they can carry out a range of repairs on your driveway or your preferred location.
Conclusion
If you are planning to get your car MOT in West Bromwich then make sure you book an appointment before the due date of your MOT.