Motoring tips – help your car pass its MOT
By Thomas James, Tickenham Garage
This month, Thomas James from Tickenham Garage provides some useful hints and tips to help you pass your next MOT.
By law, each car over three years old in the UK must pass an MOT. This confirms that the car is roadworthy and safe to drive.
Vehicles can fail MOT’s on some simple areas that you can check before you take your vehicle to the testing station.
An MOT involves dozens of checks on your car, ranging from the brakes and fuel system to lights, mirrors, seatbelts, windscreen wipers and exhaust system. It doesn’t, however, cover the condition of the engine, clutch and gearbox.
All exterior lights need to be working to pass the MOT, including your headlights, indicators and brake lights. To help you pass first time, give them a quick check before you take your car for the inspection.
Make sure you check the tyres for damage and to ensure that they meet the minimum tread depth of 1.6mm. Tyres are inspected and measured as part of the test, and having tyres changed prior to the test can save you having to have the car re tested if it fails.
Ensure there are no cracks or large chips in the windscreen that fall within the driver’s field of vision.
Don’t wait until the last minute to apply for the MOT. You can submit your car up to a month before the old certificate runs out, and doing this will help you reduce the risk of your car being off the road if it fails the MOT close to the expiry date of the certificate.