Important Pre-MOT Checks

The annual MOT test is a legal requirement for motorists in the UK. It’s something that’s anticipated with a degree of dread, particularly when there’s a cost of living crisis biting down hard. If you’re nervous about your prospects (or even if you’re not), there are a few simple pre-MOT steps you might take to bolster your chances.

MOT Prep

The due date for your MOT can be found on your test certificate. The first test should be three years after the car is registered, and then annually after that. You can book your MOT test online, which makes life that little bit more convenient.

Mechanics

It can be difficult to tell at first glance how the car is performing. If you’re an experienced driver, then you might notice a decline in the responsiveness of the vehicle, especially if it’s limited to a particular circumstance. If you find that you need to turn the steering wheel left in order to keep the car going straight, then it’s very likely that your wheels are misaligned.

Other tests you might perform yourself. Find a suitable deserted slope and park up. Check that both the footbrake and the handbrake are bringing the vehicle to a complete stop, and keeping it there.

Visual Assessment

There are a number of things you can easily check just by looking at them. Your tyre tread depth will need to be greater than 1.6mm, which is around the width of the edge trim on a twenty-pence piece. Check it at several locations to be sure. Then look at your lights. Test the indicators, brakes, and foglights. Finally, it’s worth topping up your levels of fluid. This means engine oil, coolant, and screenwash.

Cleaning

While it might not be the first thing that springs to mind when you’re thinking about the MOT, which is concerned with keeping your car safe and legal, cleanliness matters a great deal. Make sure that the interior of your car is tidy, and that any loose items are removed. Give it the full home-valet treatment. Not only will this save your blushes, it’ll also maximise the lifespan of the vehicle.

Finally, you might run the exterior of your car through a wash, too. If your mirrors are so dirty that you can’t see with them, or your number plates are dirty enough that the figures aren’t visible, then you’ll struggle to pass.

This is a collaborative post.

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