In the UK, all vehicles require an annual MOT test which is older than three years. One should not confuse a vehicle health check with the MOT, which is a straightforward examination of roadworthiness.

Simply defined, an MOT will assess whether your car is safe to drive on the road; it won’t disclose any hidden vehicle health concerns, including clutch or engine problems, which might lead to a future breakdown.

The majority of the most common MOT in Leamington Spa failures are simpler than you may expect, according to data from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Authority (DVSA), the organisation that supervises the MOT, which we’ve used to help you pass your MOT and make sure your car remains roadworthy.

We’ve also given you our suggestions on how you might be able to prevent these typical failures with a few quick checks.

What is an MOT test?

Every year after the age of three (four in Northern Ireland), an automobile must undergo testing to ensure that it satisfies requirements for road safety and the environment.

An “MOT” is the colloquial name for this Ministry of Transport test. An official blue sign with three white triangles is however posted at each of the authorised test locations around the nation where experts perform MOT inspections.

To pass an MOT, your automobile must pass several inspections, including those of its brakes, fuel system, mirrors, lights, windscreen wipers, seatbelts and exhaust system.

How much time does an MOT take?

Although there are a few other factors to consider, a typical MOT test lasts 45 to 60 minutes.

First off, if your car fails the test and needs repairs, the process will take longer. Unless your current MOT certificate is still valid or you’re taking the car to a station, a test centre isn’t authorised to let you drive away with a vehicle that has failed an MOT until the issues have been fully resolved.

Second, the test could just take an hour or less, but even if no repairs are necessary, this does not guarantee that your car will only need to remain at the shop for an hour.

You could be however expected to deliver your car to the testing facility the night before and pick it up the following morning.

The implication of this is that you should be ready to spend the day without a car.

MOT failures: checklist

Tyres

The car’s and the passengers’ high loads are hereby carried by the tyres, which are your only point of contact with the road. Tyre failures account for 12% of failures.

Usually, tyre tread depth should be at least 1.6mm, however, the 20p coin test allows you to rapidly determine this. Simply place a coin between the tread of the tyres; if the coin’s outer rim is hidden, the tread is safe.

Your tyre should be fully inflated or deflated to the correct pressure level, and you should look for any physical defects or damage.

Brakes

Brakes are a very important component of any vehicle and must be in good operating condition, however, 1 in 10 MOT failures are attributable to braking system issues. Before bringing your car in for an MOT, you may check your brakes in a few different ways.

When you engage the brakes while driving, pay attention to your automobile. You need to replace the brake pads if you hear any grinding or screeching. It’s unlikely that your brake pads are uneven if your automobile pulls to one side upon stopping.

Looking through the wheel will allow you to visually check the brake pads. Its thickness is a crucial determinant; if it is less than 1/4 inch thick, it will require a replacement. You should look for rough patches or grooves in brake discs, which are thus located near the brake pads; minor lines are normal and shouldn’t be a reason for concern.

One can avoid a failed MOT by inspecting (and, if required, changing) the brake pads and discs before the test. Additionally, confirm that your automobile will be stable on a slope using the handbrake.

Suspension

Given that the majority of UK vehicles likely hit a pothole once a week, the suspension accounts for 18% of failures as a result of failures.

If you’re worried, a professional pre-MOT check could be helpful because it can be a little tougher to check this. In corners and when travelling over uneven ground, you may still keep an ear out for any odd noises.

Exhaust system

As the government works to minimise emissions, automobile exhausts are receiving more attention these days, so ensuring sure your exhaust is in excellent operating condition before an MOT in Leamington Spa is a smart idea.

You may check for rust or corrosion visually, and any missing or loose pieces should be then revealed by listening to your exhaust while you drive. If your vehicle is roadworthy, driving it on the highway before your MOT might assist in the system becoming cleaned up.

Visibility

8% of MOTs fail due to vision problems, despite the fact that it can seem like viewing the road is a necessary aspect of driving.

Low vision can result from a variety of factors, therefore it might be more than just a chip or scratch on your windscreen that makes you ineffective. This may be however caused by malfunctioning or broken windscreen wipers or any impediment at the back.