MOT
The MOT Test
Oh the joys of owning an older car!
Of course there are many joys of owning an older car, a lot of which involve saving money, but the MOT test is payback time, because if your car is more than three years old you’ll need one.
But let’s not be mean about the MOT test. It’s actually a very sensible idea, an attempt to keep unsafe or polluting cars off the road. If you look after your car (see our advice on servicing and looking after your car) properly, you’ll sail through the MOT test and it won’t cost you any more than a few pounds (the government sets the cost for cars up to eight seats at £53.10, although shop around because most garages will charge you less than this).
However, if you’ve neglected your pride and joy (not your husband/boyfriend, but the four-wheeled one) you might be presented with a list of repairs that need to be carried out in order the pass your MOT test.
Be wary
Our advice is always to have your MOT test carried out at the centre which has been recommended to you. We suspect that there are a few sharks out there (although every MOT test centre has to be approved and regularly monitored) who when seeing a woman coming in with her car might try to pull a fast one and fail the car for things for spurious reasons. There are over 18,000 MOT test centres out there, so you should be able to find one.
Another way of avoiding this is to take your car somewhere that doesn’t actually carry out repairs, so you know the garage has no way of making extra cash from you.
You can also explain that you normally have your car serviced at the same place, so any remedial work will be carries out by them (so there’s no point in the test centre making things up because they’re going to be found out).
Of course, the easiest way to get your MOT test is to have the garage where you normally have your car serviced arrange it for you. If they’re a main dealer they’ll probably have the facilities on-site. This isn’t the cheapest way of doing things, but takes all the hassle away.
What’s tested during an MOT test?
Here’s an extract from the government website:
- Vehicle identification number – a vehicle identification number must be permanently displayed and legible on a vehicle first used on or after 1 August 1980
- Registration plate – condition, security, legibility and format of letters/numbers
- Lights – condition, operation, security and correct colour. The headlamps will also be checked to see if the aim is correct
- Steering and suspension – correct condition and operation
- Wipers and washers – operate to give the driver a clear view of the road
- Windscreen – condition and drivers view of the road
- Horn – correct operation and type
- Seatbelts – all seatbelts installed are checked for type, condition, operation and security. All compulsory seatbelts must be in place
- Seats – front seats secure. Front and rear backseats can be secured in the upright position
- Fuel system – no leaks, fuel cap fastens correctly and seals securely. The fuel cap will need to be opened. Make sure the key is available
- Exhaust emissions – vehicle meets the requirement for exhaust emission. These vary on the age and fuel type of the vehicle
- Exhaust system – complete, secure, without serious leaks and silences effectively
- Vehicle structure – free from excessive corrosion or damage in specific areas. No sharp edges
- Doors – open and close. Latch securely in closed position. Front doors should open from inside and outside the vehicle. Rear doors may need to be opened to gain access to testable items
- Mirrors – presence, condition and security
- Wheels and tyres – condition, security, tyre size and type, and tread depth. Spare tyres are not tested
- Brakes – condition, operation and performance (efficiency test). Suitable vehicles will be tested on a roller brake tester. Vehicles such as those with permanent 4-wheel drive will be tested either on a suitable road using a properly calibrated and maintained decelerometer or, if one is installed at the test station, a plate brake tester
Mind you, you see some cars on the road and wonder how on earth they ever passed an MOT test!
By the way, you won’t be able to get a tax disc without having a valid MOT certificate if your car needs one. So there.
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