Help to pass your MOT first time

Passing your MOT first time can save you time and money, so we've put together a quick and easy guide to give your car the best chance.

Why do you need an MOT?

Every car needs an MOT certificate after its first 3 years of registration. The test is designed to make sure your car is roadworthy.

Your MOT test outlines any areas of your vehicle’s performance and condition that don’t conform to the levels required by law.

You must have your car tested every year. The same goes for all vehicles on the roads in the UK, ensuring that drivers and passengers are safe.

Failing your MOT

If a vehicle fails its MOT, then it’s no longer legally permitted to be driven on the road. Passing your MOT is therefore a must, and passing the first time is a bonus when it comes to saving time and money.

If you do fail your MOT or think you’re likely to, then it’s worth considering a test centre that offers free retests.

This gives you the chance to resolve any issues and not be charged the full price of another test.

New MOT grading system

In May 2018, the Department for Transport introduced a 3-tier grading system.

Faults are now categorised as minor, major or dangerous. Major and dangerous faults will cause an automatic test fail.

Minor fault fails will now show as a pass with defects. It is suggested that any defects should be repaired as soon as possible.

How much does an MOT cost?

The price of an MOT is legally set to a maximum of £54.85 for a car. Test centres can charge less if they want to, with special offers to attract customers. So if you’re looking for a good deal, it can pay to shop around.

Passing your MOT

To look after your pride and joy, find a mechanic, test centre or garage that you trust.

MOT tips

We’re not guaranteeing a pass if you check all the items on our list, but we are confident that with a little care and attention, you can better your chances of getting through your MOT unscathed.

Pay attention to the following areas and you should maximise your chances of attaining the pass you need.

Tyres

For tyres to pass the MOT test, they must have a minimum of 1.6mm of tread across the central 3/4 width of the tyre. Otherwise, it's an automatic fail.

Automatic tyre fails also include any significant damage resulting in cuts, bulges and cracking.

Lights, brake lights and indicators

If any of your lights are broken, then that’s an automatic fail too. Bulbs are cheap to replace. Having to pay out for a second MOT test isn’t.

Bulbs to check include:

• headlamps (full and dipped beam)
• sidelights
• fog lamps
• breaking and reversing lights
• rear number plate light.

Windscreen and windscreen wipers

Chips and cracks in your windscreen won’t necessarily cause an MOT fail. It depends on the size and location of the damage.

Chips smaller than 10mm in the direct line of sight of the driver, or in the area covered by your windscreen wipers, will still achieve a pass. Anything outside that area can be as large as 40mm before they earn a fail.

Your wipers must be able to clear the screen effectively, so perished or damaged rubber will need replacing.

The washers must work too, so make sure that your jets are clear and that the screen wash reservoir has enough liquid for the testers to operate them.

Brakes

Given their role in the safe performance of your vehicle, it’s essential that your brakes work correctly.

Get them checked if they:

• feel spongy
• pull to 1 side
• make unusual noises
• don't stop as quickly as they should
• emit excessive dust from your wheels

Both your handbrake and brake pedal should always be 100% operational too. If not, it will cost you a fail.

Registration plates

You can fail your MOT for something as simple as dirty number plates. By law, your vehicle’s registration must always be visible, so make sure they are clean and clear.

Your number plates should be professionally manufactured from the correct reflective material, with the letters showing the required amount of spacing.

Exhaust and emissions

We’re not expecting you to have the tools to test your car’s emissions, but you should be able to notice noisy pipes, back-boxes or excessive smoke from your exhaust.

If it’s loud or blowing, you’re likely to have some holes or cracks in your system. If there’s a lot of smoke blowing behind you, it’s a clear sign of an unhealthy running engine too. Poor emissions will likely follow suit.

Bodywork

Poor bodywork isn’t necessarily going to fail you your MOT, but bodywork issues that are close to structural key points can.

Any bodywork that is damaged enough to be considered a danger to passengers or pedestrians will also fail your test.

Steering issues

An overly worn steering column is another issue that will fail your MOT test. If your car pulls to 1 side when driving or you hear knocking when steering, something may be damaged.

While you probably aren’t able to fix this yourself, it’s well-worth seeking advice on what it will cost to repair. If it’s more than the value of the car, then it’s pointless wasting money on an MOT test and rectifying other issues if it’s only going to fail anyway.

Seatbelts

All the car seats should move as designed to, so check they slide along their rails easily and that they’re not wobbly or insecurely fastened in place.

Your seatbelts must lock fully in the event of a collision, so tug sharply to test that they will. They also can’t show any sign of damage or wear at any point of their length, so pull them right out to make sure there are no nicks, cuts or tears.

Car horn

If your horn doesn’t work, then get it fixed. It might not seem as important a component as your engine, tyres or seatbelts, but it will still register a fail at your MOT test if it isn’t in working order.

Fuel and fluid levels

It seems silly to say it, but if there isn’t enough fuel in your car for it to run for the full length of the test, the incomplete test carries an automatic fail.

The same goes for engine oil, brake fluid and all other consumables, where low levels could spark up a warning light on your dashboard.