With the increase in population, the number of automobiles driven on roads is also increasing. An increase in the number of automobiles also means an increase in mishaps and environmental pollution. However, this is not always necessary as governments of various countries have introduced multiple laws that have helped deal with these major issues related to automobiles. One such law introduced by the Government of the United Kingdom is the MOT. But, what exactly is MOT and why is it important? Here we will give you answers to all of these questions and give you a full understanding of this topic.

What is MOT?

MOT or Ministry of Transportation test is a mandatory annual test conducted by the government of the United Kingdom. The test is conducted by certified test centres that are spread throughout the United Kingdom. The government has given certificates to more than 20,000 garages. The main purpose of this test is to make sure that the vehicles are environment-friendly and safe to drive on the road. The test is mandatory for vehicles that are older than 3 years and needs to be taken every year to ensure the condition of the vehicle is good.

Different Classes Of Vehicles Under MOT

Various types of vehicles are tested under MOT, and different vehicles are put under different classes. This helps people to easily know which test centre will test the class under which their vehicle comes:

  • Class I – Motor bicycles up to 200cc with or without a sidecar
  • Class II – All motor bicycles
  • Class III – Three-wheeled vehicles not more than 450 kg
  • Class IV – Cars, including 3-wheeled vehicles with more than 450 kg unladen weight, taxis, minibuses and ambulances up to twelve passenger seats
  • Class V – Private passenger vehicles, ambulances, motor caravans and dual-purpose vehicles with thirteen or more passenger seats
  • Class VII – Goods vehicles over 3,000 kg up to and including 3,500 kg DGW
  • PSV test (Class VI) – Public service vehicles used for hire or reward with more than eight passenger seats
  • HGV test – Goods vehicles over 3,500 kg GVW and trailers over 1,020 kg unladen weight or 3,500 kg

Importance Of Taking MOT

Taking an MOT has its own set of benefits, but many people are confused and think of this as a way for only the government to fill their pockets with money. But this test is more than that. So, here is a list of benefits which you can get from MOT Birmingham:

  • Safety: Taking the MOT test helps the vehicle owners as well as the government to know that a vehicle that is being driven on the road meets the safety standard that is set by the government for a vehicle. The safety here refers to the people sitting in the vehicle and the safety of other road users.
  • Environment Friendly: The next thing that this test ensures is that this test encourages people to keep their vehicles in top condition. The vehicle owners make sure that the various components of a vehicle that can harm the environment are in good condition.
  • Legal Requirement: Another and one of the biggest reasons why most people prefer or are encouraged to take this test is because if you are driving a vehicle in the United Kingdom and don’t have a MOT passing certificate then you might have to pay fines. So, if you want to avoid paying unnecessary fines then you should take this test and get your passing certificate.
  • Value Of The Vehicle: An MOT certificate can also affect the resale value of your vehicle because having a passing MOT certificate means that your vehicle is in perfect condition and there won’t be any problem for the buyers to buy that vehicle.

Need For Car Service Before MOT

In an MOT, only the components like lights, brakes, seatbelts, etc. are tested. This tells us that many important parts of a vehicle like the engine, transmission, and gearbox are not checked. So you can get your car service Birmingham to ensure that your vehicle does not face any kind of sudden failures during the MOT.

Parts Checked In MOT

Here is a list of the various parts of various vehicles that are examined under this test:

  • Exhaust and emissions
  • Seat belts
  • Steering
  • Windscreen
  • Bonnet catch
  • Horn
  • Number plate
  • Lights
  • Brakes
  • Tyres and wheels
  • Mirrors
  • Doors
  • Seats
  • Suspension
  • Fuel system
  • Body and structure
  • Battery and wiring

Conclusion

MOT has become an important part of vehicle ownership in the United Kingdom. The test helps ensure that it is safe to be driven on the road, has all the legal requirements, and is safe for the environment as well. This test has helped solve many automobile-related issues and has also brought revolution in the automobile industry. You can keep your well-maintained before taking the test so that you can get your passing certificate.