MOT Testing

MOT Testing

The MOT covers a wide variety of checks to ensure your vehicle is safe and meets environmental standards. Some of the most common MOT failures are down to small, avoidable factors like tyre pressure, windscreen wipers and light bulbs. By making a few simple checks before you bring your car in, you could save the hassle of a retest.

If your vehicle is undergoing its first MOT, then you will need to bring your V5C vehicle registration certificate. This document is also required if your vehicle has had a change of registration plate since its last MOT.

If your car fails the MOT, you will need to arrange for it to be repaired and retested. If you do not have a valid MOT certificate, you may not be able to legally drive your car on the road until these repairs have been made and a valid MOT certificate issued. A1 Motor Group can carry out most repairs on site on the same day, but we will always advise you and obtain your agreement up front about any work that needs to be done.

If you choose to have your car repaired elsewhere, you can bring it back for a partial retest within 10 days of the initial test. You will be charged a partial retest fee. If you bring your car back after 10 working days, you will be charged for a full MOT.

An explanation of retest fees can be found on the DVSA’s website.

If you wish to appeal against an MOT failure, ask for a complaint form at the test centre. You will receive all or part of your test fee back if your appeal is successful, but you should not have any car repairs carried out in the meantime as this may affect the outcome of your appeal.

MOT Update – March 2020

• MOT testing exemption for 6 months for all cars, light vans and motorcycles
• All MOT tests due after 30 March 2020 will be extended by 6 months
• Drivers will be responsible for ensuring their vehicles are roadworthy
• Anyone found to be using unsafe cars will face prosecution
• Find out what you need to check on your vehicle to make sure it is roadworthy

All cars, vans and motorcycles which usually would require an MOT test will be exempted from needing a test for six months.

That means that if you have an MOT due from 30 March 2020, the next test date will be extended by six months.

This measure will be in place for the next 12 months.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: ‘We must ensure those on the frontline of helping the nation combat Covid-19 are able to do so. Allowing this temporary exemption from vehicle testing will enable vital services such as deliveries to continue, frontline workers to get to work, and people get essential food and medicine. Safety is key, which is why garages will remain open for essential repair work.’

While motorists will not need to have their vehicle tested during these unprecedented times, they are being held responsible for the condition of their cars, vans and motorbikes.

You can be fined up to £2,500, be banned from driving and get three penalty points for driving a vehicle in a dangerous condition.

What drivers need to check to make sure their vehicle is roadworthy

Every time you drive you should check:

• the windscreen, windows and mirrors are clean
• all lights work
• the brakes work

Your vehicle’s handbook will tell you how often to check the:

• engine oil
• water level in the radiator or expansion tank
• brake fluid level
• battery
• windscreen and rear window washer bottles – top up with windscreen washer fluid if necessary
• tyres: they must have the correct tread depth and be free of cuts and defects

The handbook will also tell you when your vehicle needs to be serviced.

Tyre tread

Tread must be a certain depth depending on the type of vehicle:

• cars, light vans and light trailers – 1.6 millimetres (mm)
• motorcycles, large vehicles and passenger-carrying vehicles – 1mm

Mopeds only need to have visible tread.

There must be tread across the middle three-quarters and around the entire tyre.