Posted by So it’s MOT time again. The day of the year when we go with dread to our favourite MOT station, in the hope that they will be kind. If you’re lucky enough to be driving a car less than three years old, the first MOT is not due until the third anniversary of the purchase of the car.
An MOT is a mandatory test for all UK cars, vans, and motorcycles, (Lorries have their own tests) and is designed to be a reasonably comprehensive test of the roadworthiness of a vehicle to make sure that you and other road users are safe.
The test became more stringent on the 20th May 2018, and now includes new defect types and stricter rules for diesel emissions. Defects are now categorised as Dangerous, Major or Minor and it is up to the tester to determine how serious a defect is. You may also get Advisories and these are items that the tester feels need attention in the near future, even if they don’t constitute a failure on the day of the test.
| Item Classification | What this means | MOT test result |
| Dangerous | A direct and immediate risk to road safety or has a serious impact on the environment. Do not drive the vehicle until it’s been repaired. | Fail |
| Major | It may affect the vehicle’s safety, put other road users at risk or have an impact on the environment. Repair it immediately. | Fail |
| Minor | No significant effect on the safety of the vehicle or impact on the environment. Repair as soon as possible. | Pass |
| Advisory | It could become more serious in the future. Monitor and repair if necessary. | Pass |
| Pass | It meets the minimum legal standard. Make sure it continues to meet the standard. | Pass |
There are also some new items that have been added to the MOT test too, and some small changes to how some items are checked.
These include the checking:
- if tyres are obviously underinflated.
- for fluid leaks that pose an environmental risk.
- reversing lights on vehicles first registered from 1st September 2009.
- Headlight washers on vehicles first registered from 1st September 2009 (If they are fitted).
- if brake fluid is contaminated.
- Brake pad warning lights, and if brake pads or disks are missing.
- daytime running lights on vehicles first registered from 1st March 2018.
Something that might interest you is that there are two types of MOT testing station.
- Garages, where most people take their cars can usually do the repair work too. This is great as long as they are a reputable garage. However, some less scrupulous garages might fail a car and then offer to do the work, or worse still, say the car can’t be taken from the garage until the work is completed.
- Council MOT testing stations. These don’t usually offer repairs for failed cars. As a result, they have no vested interest in failing a car. They are usually very good, and you can be assured that the test has been done well and in a fair manner. You can ring your local council to see if they have a testing station and whether they do repairs. You’re after one that doesn’t, but don’t forget that you will need to get the repairs done elsewhere should your vehicle require any.
The important things to remember to keep MOT’s as cheap as possible:
- Book the MOT in advance. Garages are legally obliged to offer you the earliest one available, but occasionally have cancellations.
- Do a simple pre-MOT check yourself. This would include things like lights for blown bulbs, wipers and fluid, windscreen and other glass for cracks and cleanliness inside and out, horn, indicators, seat belts and so on.
- Make sure your car is clean inside and out, you’d be surprised how much difference it makes. Being lazy will cause a fail because things like a boot full of “stuff” will prevent the tester from accessing the spare wheel, or seats folded down will mean they won’t test the seat belts. Testers are not obliged to help you out, and due to time constraints, will probably just fail the car.
- Choose the right test centre.
- Be prepared financially to have any repairs done straight away. That way you can usually have a free retest.
- Do any work yourself if you can, so things, like changing bulbs, topping up fluids, and checking tyres, should all be simple enough for either yourself or a friend.
- Get your car tested as early as you can. You can have it tested up to a month before the current MOT runs out and your new certificate will run from the expiry date of the previous one.
- If your MOT certificate has already expired, you can still drive directly to an MOT station for a pre-booked MOT.
- With the new rules that came in on the 20th May 2018, you can no longer drive to get repairs at a different garage if your vehicle fails on anything dangerous. If you do, you could be liable to a fine of up to £2500, three penalty points, and be banned from driving.