Things You Must Know About MOT Preparation Work

If your vehicle is regsitered in the UK and have a car or any other light commercial vehicle that is more than 3 years old, then it is important for you to know that after every 12 months, it needs to pass a Ministry Of Transport test or MOT test. Vehicle owners are aware that the outcome of this test determines whether their car will get legal permission to run on the roads or not.  MOT test aims at testing if your vehicle is legal to run on UK roads. To ensure that you car gets through the MOT test, make sure that you pay attention to MOT preparation work.

You can take a FREE MOT retest if your vehicle fails to pass it for some reason or other. Vehicles taking their MOT tests with Nigel Lang's Garage are given a free MOT retest if it is taken within ten working days after the vehicle has failed the original test.

However it’s best to come prepared for the MOT test because a little preparation beforehand can go a long way in helping your vehicle pass with flying colours! Actual parts of the vehicle tested vary generally based on the age of the vehicle. The test is generally not that stringent for older vehicles, for example the emission norms, it’s a nice thing as they were never designed to cope with the stringent emission norms of today.

Some of the important MOT prep areas to look into before you book your vehicle for the MOT test are:

• The vehicle registration details must be clearly displayed in correct letters and spaces according to the type, year of your vehicle, etc. (follow proper given guidelines)
• VIN number or chassis number must be properly displayed.
• Tow bar or towing hook must be properly fixed and functionally ok.
• Check your steering mechanism for leaks. Make sure that you check all the attachments, split pins, locking nuts, upper bearings, flexible couplings, universal joints, clamping bolts etc. Free play of the steering may also be checked under many circumstances. Inspection of other swivel joints responsible for the steering mechanism of the car may also be checked.
• Horns are an important area as it needs to be single paaarrpp! Like sound and must not be on sequential tones. Horns usually vary with the age of the vehicle.
• The headlights are checked for correct alignment by using a beam setter. This is done to ensure that the vehicle does not dazzle other motorists. The different types of lights on the vehicle are the headlamps, side lamps, stop lights, indicators, hazard lights, rear fog lights, number plate display lamps and rear reflectors which must all be properly positioned and function properly.
• Bonnet catch is also checked to ensure proper attachment during open as well as closed positions.
• Door locks, handles are properly checked. It must be operable from the inside as well as outside.
• Vehicles with separate bodies should have the correct amount of stability of the body along with the central chassis so that it does not destabilise the vehicle while being driven. It can be a safety risk to others on the road. Dangerous sharp edges and other projections from the vehicle is a strict no-no! They can seriously injure other motorists and even pedestrians. Corrosion and holes present on the body may cause your vehicle to fail the test. Usually a corrosion is measured by determining it`s position and extent within a prescribed area and outside it. Usually corrosion within 30 cm of some safety components like seat belt mountings, brakes, steering, suspension, etc is marked as fail and corrosion not in the prescribed area but which could have a serious detrimental effect on the vehicle`s safety and stability is also marked as fail.
• Seats both in front and rear are checked for stability and functionality.
• Proper seat belts are a must for safety. Proper fastens, belts, locks everything must be in place. However vehicles before 1965 may be exempt from this rule.
• Brakes are an essential part of the safety of any vehicle. Both foot brake and parking brake are checked for correct functionality. Corrosion in the brake region is usually frowned upon. The brakes are also checked for correct functioning by checking under bonnet as well as some under vehicle checks. Brake fluid must be checked for leakage and brake pads must not be too worn.
• Windscreen checks are performed. Any obstruction to the drivers view may be a cause for a fail. Proper wipers and washers are a must.
• Mirrors must be correct and intact (two are required).
• Exhaust system and emissions must conform to prescribed norms.
• Tyres must be roadworthy with at least 1.6mm of tread present to meet safety requirements.

Using this information, make sure that your MOT preparation work is up to the mark so that you don’t need a MOT retest. Nigel Lang's Garage Bolton can carry out all your MOT preparation work.