How Regular Testing Enhances Vehicle Reliability

As a responsible automobile owner, you should have your car checked up on a regular basis. The MOT in Tadley is a yearly check to make sure your car fulfils safety and environmental regulations on the road. If you live in Tadley, knowing what a MOT test comprises will help you take care of your car and avoid problems during the test.

What Is an MOT Test?

The Ministry of Transport test, or MOT test, checks a car's safety, roadworthiness, and exhaust emissions once a year. The Motor Vehicle Tests Regulations were made official in 1960, and it has been making roads safer ever since.

This test has to be done every year on every car that is more than three years old. The test checks a number of parts of your car to make sure they are up to code. You won't be able to drive your car on public roads again until the problems are repaired, unless you're going to a garage for repairs or to an already-scheduled MOT appointment.

Components Checked During an MOT Test

Exterior Checks

The person who is testing your car will carefully look at the outside of it. They look for too much rust or Ross Brooke Ltd,  damage on the body and structure of the automobile, especially in places that could impair how strong the car is. The doors must open and close correctly, and the trunk or tailgate must latch tightly.

The registration plates must be in good shape and satisfy DVLA requirements about space, font, and visibility. Towbars must be safe and in good operating order if they are installed. The tester will also make sure that your vehicle identification number (VIN) is clear and matches the paperwork you have.

Lighting and Visibility

Your vehicle's lights must all work properly. These include headlights, brake lights, turn signals, hazard lights, and fog lights. The tester will make sure that all of them work correctly and are the right colour and in the right place.

Mirrors must be safe and let you see clearly behind the car. There can't be any big cracks or chips in the driver's line of sight on the windscreen. The windscreen wipers and washers should do a good job of keeping the windscreen clean.

Brakes and Steering

We inspect the brake system very carefully to make sure it works, is in good shape, and works properly. The test comprises testing braking efficiency using specialised equipment and examining the condition of brake pads, discs, and hydraulic components.

We examine the steering parts to make sure they aren't too worn out or loose. The amount of the power steering fluid is also tested, and the system should perform well without making any strange noises.

Suspension and Wheels

We check the suspension system for too much wear or damage. Shock absorbers should work well to absorb shocks without leaking. Linkages and springs need to be in good shape.

We check the wheels and tyres to make sure they are in good shape, safe and the right size. The legal minimum tread depth for tyres is 1.6mm in the middle three-quarters of the tread around the tyre. They shouldn't have any cuts, bulges, or other damage either.

Emissions and Fuel System

The exhaust system of the car is evaluated for safety, condition, and noise level. If the car came with a catalytic converter, it must still be there.

To make sure they don't go above the permissible limits for your vehicle's age and fuel type, emissions are assessed. There should be no leaks in the fuel system, and the fuel cap should fit snugly.

Common Reasons for MOT Failures

Knowing what usually goes wrong with automobiles that fail their MOT will help you get ready for your test. Here are some common problems that lead to failures:

Lighting and Signalling Problems

MOT failures are most often caused by broken light covers, misaligned headlights, and broken bulbs. Before your test, make sure all of your lights are working and replace any bulbs that aren't.

Suspension and Brake Issues

MOT failures are often caused by worn brake pads, discs, and suspension parts. Regular maintenance can help find these problems before they get worse.

Tyre Condition

Another major reason for failure is tyres that don't have enough tread or are damaged. Check your tyres often and change them when they need it.

Visibility Concerns

Damaged windscreens, broken wipers, and worn wiper blades might make it hard to see and cause you to fail the test. Check that your wipers work well and that your windscreen isn't badly damaged.

Preparing Your Vehicle for the MOT

If you take some time to get your car ready for its MOT test, it will be more likely to pass the first time. You can do these easy checks yourself:

Basic Maintenance

Fill up all of the fluids, including oil, coolant, brake fluid, and screen wash. Check that the horn on your car works. Make sure that the seat belts work and aren't broken.

Visual Inspections

Look over your car for any visible problems. Make sure all the lights are working, such as the headlights, brake lights, and turn signals. Check your license plates to make sure they are clean and easy to read. Look for cracks or chips in your windscreen that could make it fail.

Test Drive

Before the MOT, take your car for a brief drive to make sure the brakes operate well and don't pull to one side. Pay attention to any strange sounds coming from the engine, exhaust, or suspension.