Over the years, the MOT test has become more complex. There is any number of things your car can fail on, costing you money to get fixed before you get the pass certificate. However, there are some failure reasons which are more common than others. Knowing what these are could help you spot potential issues and maximise your chances of passing first time. You can check the Mot of any vehicle online.
Lights and Signalling
Around 19% of MOT failures come into the category of lights or signalling. Failures in this category are often down to something as simple as a blown lightbulb. Usually, replacing the lightbulb is a simple task and it will be much cheaper if you do it yourself rather than pay labour charges for the garage to do it for you. Rope in a friend to help and make sure that all lights and indicators are working properly before you drive the car to the testing station. Remember to check the light which illuminates the rear number place too; this is one which drivers often forget about.
Suspension
13% of vehicles fail their MOT because of issues with suspension. The suspension is the system which evens out the bumps in the road, and one of the most common causes of suspension problems is potholes. Test your suspension by giving your car a quick visual inspection; it should sit evenly on the toad and shouldn’t appear lower at one corner. If you push down on the bodywork, the suspension should mean it springs back into place straight away. If it doesn’t, there might be problems with springs or coils.
Brakes
10% of cars fail on brakes, and again this is an issue which is easily addressed. Brakes don’t last forever and if it’s been a while since you last replaced the brake pads or shoes, it might be time for a new set. If you ask the garage to do the work, they can make sure to have the correct parts in stock and put the new brake pads or shoes on your car before testing. If your brake pads are showing signs of wear and tear but are still within the legal limits, this may be noted as an advisory on the pass certificate.
Tyres
Another one of those items on cars which wears out over time are the tyres. Any tread of less than 1.6mm on any part of your tyre is an automatic fail. The best way to check tread depth is by using a 20p coin. When slotted into the tyres, you shouldn’t be able to see the outer band if the tread is deep enough. Check each tyre at more than one point. Look also for uneven wear, which could indicate problems with the wheel.
Vision Issues
7% of cars fail because of something which affects the driver’s view of the road. This could be a cracked window but is more commonly something like an oversized sat nav holder or air freshener which is so large it obscures line of sight. Clear all stickers and other items from the windscreen.
