Checks to Help Your Car Through a MOT

In the UK, your car needs a MOT every year once it is three years old. Taking the time to prepare your car for a MOT will reduce the chances of it failing for something minor such as a dead light bulb. You'll also avoid the hassle and potential cost of bringing the car back for a re-test.
Below are some easy checks you can make yourself before an MOT to greatly increase the chances of your car passing.
TOP TIP: "Having your car serviced just before an MOT should pick up any faults that might cause it to fail. A well serviced engine will also help it pass the emissions test."
LIGHTS
Nearly twenty percent of all MOT failures are due to a dead bulb. Use the list below to make sure you've checked all your bulbs. Park up close to a wall or garage door if you don't have anyone to help you check them.

• Headlights (check main beam & dipped)
• Sidelights (Front & rear)
• Indicators (front, rear and side repeaters)
• Brake lights
• Number plate (only on the rear numberplate)
• Reverse lights (not part of an MOT but worth checking anyway)
• Rear fog (front fogs not checked)
• Hazards (check separately from indicators)

Some indicator and brake light bulbs have a colour coating which starts to peel as they get old. When the colour flakes off, the bulb shines white and is cause enough for a test failure. Check the colours are correct at the same time as making sure they all work. All light fittings should be secure without cracks or damage.
WHEELS & TYRES
All the tyres should be above the legal minimum tread depth of 1.6mm across ¾ of the tyre's width.
There should be no damage on the tyres. Check for splits in the tread, bulges or cuts to the sidewalls.
Check the tyre sizes - the front tyres must be the same size and the rear tyres must be the same size.
Make sure there are no missing wheels nuts or any heavy damage to the wheels themselves.
A spare wheel is not a requirement for the MOT and is not checked unless it is being used as a road wheel at the time. A 'space saver' spare fitted as a road wheel will not pass the MOT.
WINDSCREEN
Check the windscreen for chips and cracks. The car will fail the MOT for chips over 10mm in the driver's line of sight (A) (use the width of the steering wheel as a guide) and over 40mm in the area swept by the wipers (B). Any scratching that limits the drivers vision will also be a reason for a failed test.
Get small stone chips repaired as soon as possible to stop them spreading any further and costing you the price of a new windscreen.
WIPERS
The wiper blades should be secure and clear the screen effectively for their entire length. Lift them up and check the rubber is not split or perished and that they are safely attached to the wiper arm.
WASHER JETS
Top up your screen wash before taking the car for it's MOT and test the jets to make sure they operate correctly. Blocked nozzles can be easily cleared with a pin.
STEERING
The steering system isn't something you'll be able to check easily apart from making sure the wheels can turn freely from lock to lock and the power steering is working correctly if you have it.
FUEL
The fuel cap needs to lock securely in place and the seal inside the cap shouldn't be split or perished.
EXHAUST
The exhaust needs to be held on securely and not have any holes (apart from the obvious one at the end!). If your car exhaust is sounding louder than normal there's a good chance it has a hole in it. You might be able to tell by getting your ear low to the ground on the driver's side and listening carefully as you blip the accelerator (when the car is parked). If you go over a bump and the exhaust clunks on the underside of the car, the rubber mounts may be worn and in need of replacement.
HORN
The horn needs to work and be loud enough to attract the attention of pedestrians or other motorists. Musical air horns are a guaranteed fail!
MIRRORS
The mirrors need to be in place and secure, i.e. not held to the car with sticky tape and string. The glass shouldn't be cracked or smashed.
BODY
The car's bodywork must be free from heavy corrosion, not be badly damaged or have sharp edges sticking out. The front doors should work from inside and outside and the rear doors will need to work so other parts of the test can be completed such as seat belt checks. The boot and bonnet need to close securely.
BRAKES
Most checks on the braking system require specialist knowledge but there are some easy things you can test. Make sure the rubber on all the pedals isn't worn away and if your car has ABS, the warning light should go out after the car is started. The hand brake should hold the car on a hill.
NUMBER PLATES
Front and back plates need to be secured properly to the car and not cracked, faded or hidden by dirt. The letters and numbers should be standard and evenly spaced.
SEAT BELTS
All the seat belt buckles should latch and fasten securely and lock when you give them a sharp tug. The belts need to be in good condition, not cut or badly frayed. The seats must be firmly bolted down; grab the base of each seat and try rocking it.
EMISSIONS
The best way to ensure your car passes the emissions test with ease is to have the car serviced prior to its MOT. On top of this, if your car hasn't been run in a while or is mainly used for short town journeys, take it on a longer motorway type journey where a higher engine speed is sustained for a greater length of time. This helps to clean out sooty deposits from the engine prior to the emissions test.

For MOT FAQs, head to http://motchecklist.co.uk/mot-faqs.html