How To Pass Your MOT Test the first time.
Do you want to know how to pass your MOT test the first time? Passing Your MOT test the first time can save you time, money and resources. We presume you have found yourself reading this because you are wondering how to pass your MOT the first time. Well then, you’re in luck. If you are looking for all the tips and tricks to pass your MOT test the first time and any other MOT test thereafter, you are in exactly the right place.
In this article, we will take you through some useful tips and tricks to pass your MOT test the first time per the standards of the industry. This MOT test checklist will guarantee that you pass your first MOT test and any MOT test thereafter. Read on to find out all the tips and tricks you need to help your car pass its next MOT.
Before we get into this article, we recommend that the best way to prepare for your MOT test and pass your MOT test the first time is to ensure that you properly maintain your vehicle and service it regularly, especially before an MOT test.
With the help of your mechanic, you will be able to spot faults and defects that could not only cause you to fail your MOT test but also cause your vehicle to break down.
We’ve all been students before, haven’t we? Do you remember how you felt whenever you had to take a test or a quiz, especially when it was a big or very important one? The fear, the anxiety, the nervous breakdowns and all the things in between. We’ve all been there before. Unfortunately, the tests don’t end at or after graduation.
You must pass your theory and practical driving tests to receive a valid license that allows you to legally drive on the UK’s roads before you ever drive a car or own one. Get ready for some more tests if you own a car. Your car or vehicle is deemed fit enough for the UK’s roads after an MOT test pass.
Just as your textbooks helped you to prepare for your big class tests and examinations, this guide will also help your car ace the MOT test. In this Guide (links):
- Exterior Checks Before your MOT Test
- Interior Checks Before your MOT Test
- Mechanical Checks Before you MOT Test
- Importance of the MOT Test: Why is the MOT test necessary?
- How to find your MOT test due date.
- When to get an MOT Test.
- Where should you do the MOT Test?
- Driving Without a valid MOT certificate.
1. Exterior Checks Before your MOT Test
Your preparation to pass your MOT test the first time begins with the inspection of the exterior components of your car. Inspect the body of the vehicle/Vehicle Structure
You should take a walk around your vehicle to inspect the general state or condition of the body and structure of the vehicle. Pay close attention to anything that looks unusual or like a defect. In general, rust is an MOT concern, especially for older vehicles. Safety-related equipment (e.g. steering and brakes) will not pass with severe corrosion. Such components with about 30cm of rust may also result in a failure.
Ensure that there is no excessive damage such as rust, corrosion, dents, cracks, etc., on the body of the vehicle. Sharp edges will result in failure because they have the potential to harm other road users. Check for any such edges and have them repaired correctly
2. Have a look at the tyres and wheels
Tyres and wheels are the components of your vehicle that allow it to move along a surface. Since they are almost always in contact with the road surface, they experience a lot of wear and tear throughout their lifespan. About 7% of MOT test failures are a result of tyre and wheel defects.
Your tyres must be of the correct size and shape. They should be standard wheels- space saver wheels or spare wheels are inappropriate. Your tyre’s tread depth indicates the level of wear it has experienced; there must be a minimum depth of 1.6mm to make your tyres legal for the road (experts recommend that you change your tyres when the tread depth reaches 3mm).
Inserting a 20p coin into one of the tread grooves is a fast method to verify. If the coin’s outside edge is entirely concealed, the tread depth is enough (20p coin method). Your must also inflate your tyres to their correct tyre pressures. Also, look out for significant lumps, tears or cracks in the sidewall of the tyres and other parts of the wheel.
3. Test all your lights
On the outer part of your vehicle, your lights may include your headlights, parking lights, turn signals, brake lights and reverse lights. Fit all lights with bulbs that are the correct colour and work as expected. Check that your mandatory headlamps produce light of about the same colour and intensity.
Your headlamps must be the same size and shape; symmetrical.
Watch a practical demonstration here: how to check your lights before an MOT test. You may need someone to assist you to check your lights by standing in front of and behind the car, as you switch the lights on and off. Repair or change a bulb if it is faulty or blown. These checks will help you pass your MOT test the first time. To know more about car headlights, click here.
4. Check the wipers and the windscreen
To pass your MOT test the first time, your wipers should be good enough to clean your windscreen and give you a clear view of whatever is ahead of you. Replace your wipers before your MOT test if they smear your windscreen when you use them.
Your windscreen is the window through which you view the road and your surroundings from your driving or seating position. It also protects you and the occupants of the car from the elements of the atmosphere while you drive along or the car moves along. Sometimes, the tyres of other moving cars fly objects such as stones onto a car’s windscreen.
These can cause chips and cracks in the windscreen. Any such chips and/or cracks greater than 1cm in the driver’s central field of vision will result in a failure for your vehicle’s MOT test. Smaller chips and some cracks are repairable. Ensure that you have them repaired before your vehicle’s MOT test.
5. Have clean and clear registration plates
Registration or number plates legally identify vehicles on the road. Since they are for identification purposes, they must, first of all, be clean and legible for someone to be able to read them from a distance of about 20 metres. A simple wash or wipe may be all you need.
Tightly fasten your registration plates if they are loose. They should adhere to the rules and regulations governing the display of registration or number plates on vehicles.
6. Open and close your doors, boot, bonnet and fuel tank cap
Your doors must be able to close firmly and stay closed
- Your doors must be able to close firmly and stay closed.
- The front doors of the car should be able to open using the handles inside and outside the car.
- You should also ensure that other openings such as the boot lid, bonnet and fuel tank cap all open and close as they should.
- Roll up and down the windows on your doors to check that they work as expected. They should be in good shape (i.e., not severely cracked or damaged)
7. Inspect the engine bay
- Pop the bonnet and have a look in the engine bay. Inspect the engine bay for any leaks, broken hoses or pipes and any other defects or issues. Fix any of such issues before your vehicle’s MOT test.
- Top up all fluid levels to ensure that they are at the required levels before the MOT test.
7. Before Your MOT Test: Interior Checks
Properly clean the interior of your car before you even inspect it. A good looking, clean interior will imply that you take good care of the vehicle so it may not be put under much scrutiny.
8. Look out for warning lights on your dashboard
- The warning lights on your dashboard indicate faults with one or more components or parts of the vehicle. These signs may illuminate when your vehicle runs into a problem or some problems.
- When you start your car, make sure all of your warning lights turn on and then off; any warning lights that remain on your dash while the car is running might result in a penalty point on your vehicle’s MOT test.
- You will also need to make sure that your speedometer works very well; it is crucial to pass your MOT test.
9. Check the handbrake
- The handbrake is a mechanism that is used to engage the rear disc pads or brake shoes using a cable system. Traditionally, it is engaged when the handbrake lever is pulled upwards.
- Your cable may need to be tightened if you need to pull the handbrake up a considerable distance or apply more force than usual.
10. Your seats must be checked
- It is not necessary to worry about the look of your seats or how much wear and tear they have experienced.
- All you need to ensure is that your seats do not move around when the car is in motion and that they can be locked into position.
- You should be able to move the driver and passenger seats forward and backward, and also securely lock into position.
11. Are your seatbelts in good condition?
- Every seatbelt in the vehicle should be in good condition and must work as expected.
- To test them, give them a sharp tug to check that they react as they were designed to when you have to brake severely or in emergency situations.
- Any seatbelts that are frayed or damaged will need to be replaced as well.
- Get these checks done and you will be on your way to passing your MOT test the first time.
12. Give your horn a good press.
- Checking or testing your horn is probably the simplest thing you can do during your pre-MOT checks.
- All you need to do is give your horn a good toot to make sure that it is loud and clear enough to warn or signal other road users.
- If it is faulty in any way, get it checked out by your mechanic before your MOT test is due.
13.Check your mirrors
- Check that every one of the vehicle mirrors is clean and in good working order and that they can all be clearly viewed from the driver’s seat.
- To pass your MOT test, the vehicle must have an internal rear-view mirror and a driver’s side mirror.
14. Before Your MOT Test: Mechanical Checks
Before Your MOT Test: Mechanical Checks is more difficult to perform mechanical checks on your own as compared to other checks. Nonetheless, there are some issues you may be able to identify early on your own so that you can get them sorted before your MOT test is due.
15. Is your suspension in good condition?
- As the vehicle travels, the suspension system absorbs the shocks caused by irregularities in the road surface. It ensures that the vehicle’s passengers have a safe, steady, and comfortable trip. In 2020, problems with a vehicle’s suspension system account for around 13 per cent of MOT test failures.
- Listen for any noises like rattles clunks when you drive especially over rough or bumpy terrain.
- Take note of the vehicle’s posture. Is one of the sides too high or too low? Is one corner lower or higher than the other(s)?
- Apply pressure on one of the vehicle’s corners and see how it returns to its regular level. Keep an eye out for any bouncing or instability.
16. Your vehicle must have good breaks to Pass Your MOT ON ONE ATTEMPT.
- Make that the footbrake and handbrake work correctly. The brake pipes should not have any obvious leaks. During the test, no wheels are removed, and the tester just looks at what is visible and easily accessible. You may also rapidly inspect the brake discs for warping or scoring. Check that the ABS warning light works if you have it.
- Also, listen for any noises or unusual occurrences when you apply the brakes while driving.
17. Have a look at your exhaust system.
- No parts of the exhaust and its mountings should be missing or hanging loosely under the vehicle.
- You may want your mechanic to check the exhaust system for any severe damage such as cracks and leaks.
Check your exhaust emissions:
- Legal requirements have been introduced regarding the level of emissions of various types of vehicles. To pass your MOT test, these levels must be within the acceptable range.
- If you have a lot of smoke coming out of your exhaust, there could be a problem and this could cause you to fail your MOT test.
18. Fuel and engine oil checks
- Ensure that your car has enough petrol and engine oil – you may be unable to take the MOT test if you don’t have adequate quantities of either. They are needed while running the car to test its emissions levels. If you are unclear about the sort of oil to use, check your owner’s manual, consult your mechanic or see your manufacturer’s primary dealer.
- Note: Whenever you are inspecting fluid levels and handling items that may get hot to the touch (e.g., bulbs), it is always better to wait until the vehicle has completely cooled down.
And there you have it! After reading this guide and applying the knowledge you have gained from it, you should be well on your way to ensuring that your car will pass its MOT test the first time.
Performing all the exterior checks, interior checks and mechanical checks will help you pass your MOT the first time.
For more information, visit GOV.UK.
