What is an MOT?

The Ministry of Transport (MOT) test, often just called the MOT, is a quick annual check-up for your vehicle to make sure it’s safe and clean enough to use on the road.

As we’re Carmoola, we’re going to focus on MOT testing for cars, to help get first-time owners and those just unfamiliar with MOTs up to speed.

Taking your car in for an MOT can be daunting, after all, but worry not. Our straightforward MOT guide will help you understand what to expect, how to prepare for it, and what to do if your car fails.

What is an MOT test?

An MOT test is an annual inspection that makes sure your car meets basic road safety and emissions standards.

During the inspection, the MOT testers will look at things such as your car’s brakes, its safety systems, and check its emissions, to ensure the essentials are okay.
If there aren’t any major or dangerous problems, your car will pass the MOT. You might see some notes about advisory or minor issues, which are things you’ll need to be aware of and fix later.

When a car has significant issues, however, it will fail the test and the problems will be listed as major or dangerous.

These will need to be fixed, and the car retested, so you can safely carry on driving without any worries.

If you’ve got an older car, it might be exempt from MOT testing. Any car that was built or registered more than 40 years ago doesn’t need a test, provided it hasn’t been heavily modified.

You can still take it for a test if you’d like, which can be worth doing, especially if you don’t have the facilities or time to inspect it regularly yourself.

Why is an MOT important?

Once a car has been registered for three years, and until it reaches 40, an annual MOT test is a legal requirement. So, like tax and insurance, this means you’ll need a valid MOT to drive on a day-to-day basis, or to park on the road.

It helps to ensure your car meets the required basic safety standards, and that its emissions are acceptable, protecting those around you and giving you peace of mind.

Having a valid MOT will also help avoid complications with your car insurance. If something happens, and you don’t have a current MOT, payouts could be altered or declined, depending on the situation, and claims processes could become more complicated and protracted.

In short, if you want to avoid all sorts of potential trouble, always make sure to get your car tested and through its MOT when required.

What do they check in an MOT test?

Here’s what the testers will look at during an MOT:

• Body and vehicle structure
• Tyres and wheels
• Brakes
• Safety systems such as anti-lock brakes (ABS) and air bags
• Steering and suspension
• Fuel system
• Seats and seatbelts
• Lights
• Windscreen, wipers and washers
• Mirrors
• Horn
• Electrical wiring and battery
• Towbars
• Fuel system
• Exhaust and emissions control systems
• Exhaust emissions
• Doors, boot, bonnet
• Registration plates

However, an MOT won’t comprehensively test some parts, such as the car’s engine or air conditioning system.

This means that an MOT pass doesn’t guarantee a car is 100 per cent healthy, which is important to remember if you’re buying a used car.

It also means, in terms of owning a car, that you’ll still need to watch out for problems and get your car regularly serviced to keep it in good shape.

That’s because, at the end of the day, it’s your responsibility to ensure that your car is roadworthy. If you think something is wrong, don’t wait for the next MOT test to get it looked at.

What happens if your car fails an MOT test?

If the MOT tester identifies major or dangerous problems, your car won’t pass the test and repairs will be needed. You’ll get a failure certificate that explains the issues, and it may also include advisories about minor defects.

Fortunately, it’s not all bad news. If the car has failed on something that’s easily fixed, you can bring it back to the same test centre the next working day and get it retested for free, availability permitting, so you can get an MOT pass and carry on motoring.

When a car needs more significant repairs, you can get the garage to fix it, or take it away to another repair centre, and you’ll still be able to get a partial retest within ten working days. A lot of places won’t charge for this, but there might be a small fee to pay in some cases.

How to prepare for your MOT

There’s nothing worse than getting a call from the MOT test centre, or refreshing the online MOT history page, to find that your car has failed on something simple.

• To improve your chances of a pass, here are some easy checks to carry out before the test.
• Make sure the tyres are legal, including the spare, and that the pressures are correct
• Check the car’s lights, including the number plate bulbs, and replace any broken ones
• Make sure the wiper blades are in good condition
• Inspect the glass and mirrors for any damage
• Fill the washer fluid tank and make sure the spray works
• Test the headlight washers, if fitted, to make sure they function
• Don’t forget to test the horn, as it might not have been used for a while
• Inspect the number plates to make sure that they are clean, undamaged, and easy to read
• Make sure the fluid levels are all correct and there are no major issues, such as overheating
• Try to deliver the car in a presentable state, so the tester can easily inspect it

Here’s another tip: don’t assume the car is going to pass. Before booking an MOT test slot, think about how your plans might have to change if the car fails. It might end up being better to book the test at a different time to best fit your plans and needs.

How much does an MOT cost?

An MOT test for a car has a maximum price, set by the government, of £54.85. If you look around locally, however, you might be able to find a test for less.

You may also want to research council MOT centres, or places that only provide MOT tests. They have no incentive to try and sell you any parts or repairs, as all they provide is the test itself.

When should you book your MOT?

You can book your next MOT test up to a month in advance, minus a day, and keep the renewal date that’s shown on your car’s current MOT certificate.

Otherwise, you can book your car in for an MOT test whenever you like. If you’re selling your car, for example, you might want to get a fresh MOT on it to boost its value.