Vital Checks To Prepare Your Car For Its MOT

There are few things that strike terror into the hearts of men and women all over the country, but the Ministry Of Transport Test is one of them. It is the time when you could find your motor taken from you until it undergoes expensive repair; leaving you up the creek without a paddle.

Most drivers know the understand the effects of a MOT failure. It can lead to inconvenient bus and rail journeys and hefty bills. There are some simple checks you can make to lower the chance of your car failing the test. If you perform them and correct any failings that you come across, you might just get that certificate the first time around; without having to take your car back for a re-test. You don’t have to be a qualified mechanic to undertake them; anybody can do it.

car safety checks

Here are a few ideas to help you sail through the yearly safety checks and stay on the road for another twelve months. I hope you find them useful.

Research

The internet affords you a useful tool to check out common faults with your vehicle. I find that new car reviews often mention problems that manufacturers overcame in the new vehicles. Your car may suffer from these problems. You could also join forums, but they can give you sleepless nights because people only post on them when there is a problem. That can lead to a sense of paranoia about your beloved motor. You might start to think every rattle is a significant problem and turn into a mechanical hypochondriac. Even so, they are a fantastic resource for information. When you compile a list, start checking the issues.

When To Begin The Checks?

I advise you to start the inspection at last a couple of weeks in advance of the test so that you have plenty of time to correct any problems that you come across. It is pointless doing it the day before because you will not be able to repair or replace the parts in time.

Parts To Inspect

Here is a list of things that could lead to a failure. Remember, the MOT is your friend. It is there to keep you safe on the road, so don’t look at your vehicle through rose tinted glasses. Take a critical view; just as the examiner will.

Bodywork. The body might look in a shocking state because it is rusty. That doesn’t mean that it is unsound; it all depends on the location of the rust. Get underneath the vehicle with a screwdriver and a little hammer. Tap and poke the metalwork to find any areas where the rust has eaten through the floor or chassis of the car. Hopefully, you will not find a problem because they often have a protective underseal to prevent rust. Check the sills on the underside of the body and below the doors on the outside. Some cars rely on the monocoque system, and the sills are part of it. If you find issues with the bodywork, employ a mobile welder to come around to your house to deal with them. It is much better than sending your car in for repair.

Tyres. Many cars fail because there is a problem with the tyres. That shouldn’t happen because they are easy to replace. Check them one at a time using a flashlight, a tread depth gauge, and a mirror if you need to.

  • Check the outer wall first. Look for any physical damage that could make it unsafe. That includes deep scratches or areas where an object has partially penetrated the rubber. Look for cracking too; rubber doesn’t last forever, and tyres have a limited lifespan. If any of those issues are present, replace it. You cannot undertake any repairs to them.
  • Check the inner wall in the same way. Use a flashlight and mirror to help if necessary.
  • Inspect the tread and compare it to the legal limit in your country. In the United Kingdom, it must have a depth of at least 1.6mm across 75% of the width of the tyre around the entire circumference. That is too low in my opinion. If you suspect they are nearing the end of their life, replace them. There are many companies that will come out to your home or place of work to fit a new set of tyres

Lights. Ask an assistant to help you check that all of the lights work as they should. The number of cars that fail the test thanks to an inoperative bulb is staggering. Some headlights in new cars are sealed units meaning you must replace the entire thing. There is nothing you can do about that except absorb the cost.

Brakes. Do you suspect that your brakes are not working as they should? Remove each road wheel in turn and check the brake pads or shoes to see if there is plenty of friction material left on them. It is obvious on disc brakes, but you must remove the drum to inspect brake shoes. Find out how to remove the drum in a maintenance manual. You should also check the hand brake mechanism and state of the brake discs while the wheels are off.

Exhaust. Have you noticed a change in the tone of the exhaust system? If it sounds odd, part of the pipe might have a hole in it. Unless your vehicle has a stainless steel system, it is bound to happen sometime. You car will fail the MOT because of a faulty exhaust, so address the problem. You can buy a cheap replacement, but they only last for a short time. A manufacturer’s replacement will last for between five and ten years.

Washers and wipers. Fill the washer bottle with an appropriate mix of water and detergent and make sure they work as they should. When all is well, turn your attention to the windscreen wipers. The blades should function properly and have no damage to them. They are cheap and easy to repair if necessary. It might surprise you to know that the rear wiper isn’t part of the test.

Hopefully, your vehicle will get through the test without a hitch. It stands a chance thanks to your foresight and maintenance. Some things are beyond your control, so i suggest you wait with your fingers crossed for possible bad news. It is all part of a motorist’s life; Try to keep a sense of humour over it. I hope your car gives you years of trouble-free motoring.

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