What does an MOT check?
Your vehicle’s annual MOT is a legal requirement that allows you to drive your car on the road, but do you know the ins and outs of what is checked as part of the test? Below, we break down the MOT into its constituent parts, explaining what it is, how it’s carried out, and how you can best prepare for your vehicle’s MOT.
What is an MOT?
The letters MOT stand for Ministry of Transport, which was the department of the government which introduced the MOT back in 1960. Technically, this means we should call it an MOT test, but most people refer to it as the MOT for simplicity. A lot has changed since the 1960’s, but the basic premise remains the same: the MOT checks various components of your vehicle to
ensure that it is roadworthy and safe to drive.
You may be aware that nowadays, MOTs use a system to describe faults based on their severity and the likelihood of resultant danger. Faults categorised as ‘dangerous’ or ‘major’ will mean your vehicle fails its MOT – you’ll need to get them fixed and pass another MOT before you can drive your car again. If your car only has minor faults – known as advisories – you may pass the test, but you should still get the issues resolved as soon as possible.
What is checked on an MOT?
The checks carried out as part of your MOT can be split into different areas. These are:
- Brakes – checking for effective, balanced deceleration, wear on the pedal, function of the anti-lock braking system warning light, as well as wear and tear on components of the braking system.
- Bodywork – checking for sharp edges that may injure pedestrians, plus corrosion or rust.
- Access points – checking that all doors, plus the bonnet and boot, open easily and can be shut securely.
- Exhaust – checking emissions, noise level, as well as the function of fuel caps or charging ports (depending on if it’s an MOT for electric vehicles or fuel cars).
- Horn – checking it works properly and makes a loud enough noise that is recognisable (novelty horns aren’t allowed).
- Lights – checking proper function and alignment of lights so as to illuminate the road without dazzling other drivers, plus making sure dashboard symbols work when the lights are on.
- Seats – checking seats and seatbelts are all in good condition and appropriately fixed to ensure driver and passenger safety.
- Steering – checking all components of the steering system are in good condition, as well as the efficacy of power steering for cars that have it. This section also checks to make sure the tyres don’t touch the bodywork on full lock.
- Tow bar (if applicable) – checking that the tow bar is securely fixed and not damaged in any way.
- Vehicle identification – checking that your vehicle identification number and registration plates are clearly visible, securely fixed and undamaged.
- Wheels and tyres – checking that all components are in good condition, including the rubber of the tyres, and ensuring that the tyre tread depth is at least 1.6mm.
- Windscreen and mirrors – checking that mirrors are securely fixed and undamaged, that windscreen wipers are functional, and that windows have no chips bigger than 10mm in diameter within the range of the wipers. Outside of this area, chips must be no bigger than 40mm across. Minor damage to mirrors is allowable as long as it doesn’t impair the driver’s vision.
Why do MOT tests include an exhaust emission test?
An exhaust emissions test is designed to check the amount of air pollutants being released into the atmosphere by your vehicle. It’s not done for electric vehicles, since these don’t have emissions, but if you have a petrol or diesel vehicle, your car will need to pass an emissions test.
Although it might seem like low air pollution isn’t vital to the roadworthiness of your vehicle, emissions tests are mandatory to try and help reduce the air pollution of our towns and cities. Excessive air pollution isn’t just bad for the environment – it can also have a big impact on the health of people living in highly polluted areas. Regularly servicing your car can help to keep emissions down.
What to take to an MOT
There is one thing that all drivers need to remember to bring to the garage for the MOT, and that’s their car. If your boot or footwells are full of rubbish or excessively dirty, testers can refuse to perform the MOT. It’s an easy thing to prepare ahead of your MOT due date. Just make sure to have a quick spring clean before you take your car in. Empty your boot and footwells, and make sure there’s nothing obscuring the windscreen.
It’s also a good idea to make sure there’s a reasonable amount of fuel left in the tank – whether that’s petrol, diesel or electric. Parts of the MOT require the car to be driven, and if that can’t be done, the MOT can’t be carried out.
If this is your car’s first MOT, you’ll need to bring your vehicle logbook with you. This rule also applies if you’ve had new registration plates fitted to an older car. You won’t need the logbook for any subsequent MOTs, but if you keep it in the glovebox or somewhere similar, you can be sure you always have it when you need it.
