MOT test preparation doesn’t have to be complicated. Let’s be honest, the annual MOT test is a bit like a dentist appointment – something we’d all rather avoid, but it’s a legal requirement and an important part of keeping your car safe and roadworthy.
For most cars in the UK, the first MOT is required when the vehicle is three years old, with another test needed every year after that. You can check the official GOV.UK guidance on when to get an MOT to find out when your vehicle needs testing.
A few minutes of MOT test preparation can make a big difference. The good news is that many common MOT problems can be spotted and dealt with before you take your car to the test centre. A few simple checks can help you avoid an unnecessary failure and potentially save you money.
Good MOT test preparation starts with a few straightforward checks that you can carry out yourself.
An MOT test checks important parts of your vehicle to make sure they meet the required safety and environmental standards. It isn’t a full mechanical service, so things such as the engine, clutch and gearbox aren’t covered by the standard MOT.
Carrying out some basic MOT test preparation beforehand gives you an opportunity to identify obvious problems yourself. The official GOV.UK MOT guidance explains which parts of your vehicle are checked during the test.
It’s also worth remembering that you’re responsible for making sure your vehicle is roadworthy at all times, not just when the MOT is due.
The following MOT test preparation checks are simple enough to carry out at home and could help you identify obvious problems before your appointment.
Walk around the car and check that all exterior lights are working correctly.
This includes:
Ask someone to operate the controls while you check the lights from outside, or use reflections from a wall or garage door if you’re checking them alone.
Make sure lenses are clean and free from damage, as lights and reflectors are part of the MOT inspection.
Your tyres are one of the easiest things to check before an MOT.
Look for:
For cars, the legal minimum tread depth is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tread and around the entire circumference of the tyre.
If you’re unsure about your tyre sizes or what the numbers on the sidewall mean, take a look at our comprehensive guide to checking tyre sizes.
This is one of the easiest parts of your MOT test preparation to carry out at home, and it’s worth doing regularly rather than only before your annual test.
Take a close look at your windscreen for chips or cracks, particularly in the area directly in front of the driver.
Windscreen damage can result in a defect depending on its size and location. Damage greater than 10mm in the driver’s central Zone A, or greater than 40mm elsewhere in the swept area, can be a problem.
Your wipers should also clear the windscreen effectively without leaving excessive smears.
Check the washer system too and make sure there is enough screenwash in the reservoir. The washers need to work correctly and the windscreen must be kept clear.
You won’t be able to carry out a professional brake inspection at home, but there are some obvious warning signs to look for.
Pay attention to:
If you notice any of these problems, have the braking system inspected by a qualified mechanic before your MOT.
There are several other simple MOT test preparation checks you can carry out before your appointment, even if you don’t have mechanical experience.
Start the car and check the dashboard.
Warning lights that remain illuminated could indicate a problem that needs investigating. This is particularly important for systems relating to the brakes, steering, airbags or engine management.
If you’re unsure what a warning light means, our guide to five dashboard warning lights you must know explains some of the most common ones.
Don’t simply ignore a warning light because the car appears to be driving normally.
Check that every seatbelt:
Make sure the seatbelt anchorages and buckles are secure too.
Seatbelts and their condition are included in the MOT inspection, so they’re worth checking before you arrive at the test centre.
Give the horn a quick test to make sure it works correctly.
It’s a simple check but an easy one to overlook when preparing your car for its MOT.
Make sure your number plates are:
Also check your mirrors for cracks, damage or anything that could affect the driver’s view.
Listen for unusual knocks or noises when driving over bumps and pay attention to how the car handles.
Warning signs can include:
You shouldn’t attempt to diagnose or repair suspension or steering problems yourself unless you have the appropriate knowledge and equipment. If something doesn’t feel right, get it checked before the MOT.
Check the fluid levels under the bonnet and top them up where necessary.
This can include:
Remember that an MOT isn’t a substitute for a regular service. If your car is due a service, it’s worth arranging one separately.
You can find out more in our guide explaining what a car service is.
As part of your MOT test preparation, it’s also worth checking your car’s previous MOT history.
You can check your previous MOT results, recorded mileage, failures and minor problems through the official GOV.UK MOT history service.
This can sometimes highlight recurring issues that are worth checking before your next test.
Even with thorough MOT test preparation, your car can still fail if it has a fault that isn’t obvious during a basic visual inspection.
If your car fails its MOT, you’ll receive a refusal of an MOT test certificate listing the defects that caused the failure.
Defects are classified according to their severity. Major and dangerous defects result in a failed MOT, while minor defects and advisories can be recorded without necessarily causing a failure.
If your car has a dangerous defect, you may not be allowed to drive it away from the test centre.
Depending on the circumstances, you may be able to have the necessary repairs carried out and receive a partial retest.
It’s therefore worth dealing with obvious problems before the test wherever possible. Good MOT test preparation can potentially save you the inconvenience and cost of dealing with an avoidable failure.
Effective MOT test preparation doesn’t need to take hours. Spending a little time checking your lights, tyres, windscreen, wipers, brakes, seatbelts and other basic components can help you identify problems before they become an issue at the test centre.
Of course, you can’t guarantee that your car will pass an MOT simply by carrying out these checks. Some faults require specialist equipment or professional inspection.
However, a few minutes of preparation can potentially save you the inconvenience and cost of dealing with an avoidable failure.
Good MOT test preparation can therefore make the whole process less stressful and give you greater confidence when you take your car for its annual test.
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