Why do I need an MOT?
An MOT (Ministry of Transport) test is an annual inspection that checks a vehicle's safety, roadworthiness, and exhaust emissions. Once a vehicle is over three years old, it must undergo an MOT test every year by law.
It is a strict legal requirement for all qualifying vehicles to hold a valid MOT certificate. If your vehicle does not have a current MOT, it must be declared SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification) to confirm that it is officially not being driven or kept on a public road. Driving without a valid MOT can invalidate your insurance policy and result in a police fine of up to £1,000.
What happens if your vehicle fails its MOT?
If your vehicle fails its MOT, you can only drive it away if no "dangerous" faults were detected and your current MOT certificate is still valid. The test categorises defects into three distinct groups:
Dangerous: The vehicle poses an immediate risk to road safety or the environment. It fails the test and cannot be driven until it is repaired.
Major: A significant issue that compromises safety or emissions. It results in an automatic MOT failure, and the vehicle must be repaired before it can be legally driven.
Minor: An issue that is not yet serious but will require attention. The vehicle will still pass its MOT, and you can drive it away, but you should repair the issue as soon as possible.
If your vehicle fails, you will be issued a VT30 form, which is the official refusal of an MOT certificate. Once your vehicle passes, you will receive a valid MOT certificate displaying both the test date and the expiry date so you can plan for the following year.
Pre-MOT checklist
Many vehicles fail their MOT due to minor, preventable issues. In fact, a car can fail for something as simple as having an empty screenwash container. We recommend giving your car a quick inspection a couple of weeks before your test is due to ensure it is in the best possible condition.
Remove any clutter and excess objects from the boot – Believe it or not, if your vehicle is too cluttered, an MOT tester could refuse to carry out the test.
Top up all fluid levels including screen wash, oil and brake fluid – This is an easy step to avoid an issue which catches out a lot of drivers.
Make sure your number plates are fitted correctly, clean and clear to read – Wipe it down with a clean cloth and make sure your number plate complies with legal requirements regarding spacing and font.
Check your tyres – the minimum legal tyre tread depth is 1.6mm. If you don’t have access to a tyre tread depth gauge, you can check this with a 20p coin. If the outer band of the coin is covered by the tread then your tyres are above the legal limit.
Ensure your fuel cap opens and closes properly – An unlikely factor, but make sure the fuel seal has no rips or tears and the cap closes securely.
Check the windscreen wipers are in good condition – Check for any tears or loose material as this could flag up during the test.
Make sure mirrors are intact and held securely - If a mirror is held on temporarily, you’ll need to have it fixed properly otherwise it’ll fail the MOT. Also check for any cracks to your wing mirror glass.
Ensure the vehicle doors, boot and bonnet are secure – Open and close all doors to check they open and shut again securely.
Check for any lights on the dashboard – Any warning lights on the vehicle's dashboard will most likely trigger a fault during the test. Ensure any lights that can be investigated beforehand are.
Test your seats and seatbelts – Ensure that your seats are adjustable and can slide forwards and backwards while clicking into place. Also, make sure the seatbelts are the correct length and can be inserted correctly into the clip.
Book your next MOT test online with Harwoods
Get your next MOT test booked online today with Harwoods, find a date and time that suits you best and we’ll take care of the rest. In need of a service? Browse Harwoods extensive range of aftercare services or get in touch with us today to see how we can help you.