How to Get Your Car to Pass MOT First Time
If your car is over three years old, it will need to undergo an MOT test on a yearly basis. While you won’t be able to inspect your car as thoroughly as a trained tester, there are certain aspects you can do beforehand to minimise the risk of your car failing.
Here are 5 top tips to keep in mind that could dramatically improve your chances of your car passing the MOT:
1. Clean and check the handbrake
You may never have even thought about it, but you should take the time to give both the interior and exterior of your car a thorough clean before taking it for MOT One of the most important pointers to keep in mind is to make sure your number plates are undamaged and easy to read.
Also, check the handbrake is in good working order. You’ll know whether it needs professional attention if you have to pull the lever extremely far up and clicks several times. If this is the case, the cable may need adjusting.
- Check your tyres
Inspect your tyres for any damage or extreme wear and tear. You can do so with a tread-depth gauge to discover the amount of tread remaining on each tyre. It’s a legal requirement to have a minimum of 1.6mm, however, once they’re worn down to this extent, it would be highly advised to change them to prevent a blow-out.
Before booking your MOT test at a centre such as Ossett Tyre House in Wakefield, it would be highly advisable to purchase a new set of tyres if your tread-depth is very low. Upon leaving your car for MOT with their professional team, it would be a great opportunity to take the time to see nearby sights of the city, including Sandal Castle and Wakefield Cathedral.
- Check lights Every single light on the exterior of your vehicle should be clean and in working order, or your car will fail its MOT. It would be wise to check all of the exterior lights, as follows:
- Headlights on full and dipped beam
- Sidelights
- Hazard lights
- Indicators
- Fog lights
- Number plate lights
You can pick up bulbs from most car accessory shops and they’re usually easy to fit at home, but do read your car manual first. If bulbs aren’t causing the issue, it may be a case of loose connections in the wiring.
- Check mirrors
Make sure that both your wing mirror and rear mirror are both in great working condition and adjust them slightly if needs be. If either is cracked or your wing mirror has been knocked off and taped up, you’ll need to replace it to pass the MOT.
- Defective windscreen and wipers
Something as simple as a crack in the windscreen could mean that your car fails the MOT, but it all depends on where the damage is located and the size. You can get away with small chips or cracks that are no bigger than 10mm at eye level. However, any larger than this, or in the wiper perimeter will automatically result in an MOT fail. A 40mm crack is allowed in other sections of the glass.
Your wiper blades and washers must also be working accordingly. Do be aware that the MOT tester can issue fail if you haven’t filled up the washer bottle!