Going for your annual MOT test can be something of an ordeal for drivers, especially if you are quite new to driving. However, the MOT test doesn’t have to be a trial: you can prepare your car before the MOT to give yourself the best possible chance of sailing through it without any issues. Let’s take a look at just five things to note before going for your MOT test before you head off for your summer staycation, no matter whether you are heading to beautiful Cheshire (packed with zoos, aquaria, historical sites and areas of natural outstanding beauty) or exploring the wonders of London (something new – or exceedingly old! – around every corner).
Have Enough Fuel
Your fuel and oil should both be topped off. While you don’t have to have a full tank of fuel to go in for your MOT, you should have sufficient fuel for the MOT’s various checks and tests to be done without running out of fuel or leaving you dangerously short of it for after the test – part of being ‘roadworthy’ which is the purpose of the MOT test is being able to drive all the way to your destination! The same applies to your oil which is vital for the good and safe running of the vehicle – levels should be appropriate and easily read on your dipstick.
Top Off Water
Your radiator keeps your car cool enough for optimal running, so levels should always be good. Getting into the habit of regularly checking your water is a great way to ensure that you are always in a good position, so when it is time for MOT, you shouldn’t have to take special steps to prove yourself. Except of course, by taking the time to look after your vehicle by booking a MOT in London from DAT Tyres (0208963030) – using a reliable and trustworthy MOT supplier is not only good for your car, it’s also good for you! Screen wash reservoirs should also be checked fairly regularly: allowing these to run low can actually cause a failed test: having your windscreen splattered with insects or mud without any easy way to remove it (for example, with the lightly soapy water from your screen wash squirters) can leave your vision obscured, a big no-no for MOT inspectors.
Windscreen and Wipers
And your windscreen is another point that you can easily check and remedy before your MOT test: stickers, chips, cracks, even too much clutter on your dashboard can all impede your vision, causing an MOT fail, so make sure your visual field is uncluttered and that your wipers are in good working order so they (and the previously mentioned screen wash) can work together to instantly clean off any debris.
Check Your Lights
Vehicle lights were one of the original three items on the checklist all the way back in 1960 when MOT tests were first introduced (along with brakes and the steering) and they are still by far the largest cause of MOT fails, making up a whopping 13% of reasons for MOT fails. To be strictly fair, ‘lights’ as a section has expanded somewhat, from just head and back lights to include brake lights, indicators, parking lights, fog lights, and even all the lights on your dashboard that alert you to issues within the working of the vehicle’s electronic system, amongst others. Take a moment to make sure no warning lights are showing, and have a friend help you by looking on while you activate and deactivate all the lights in turn – paired lights should glow with an even light, rather than one brightly and the other dull – to make sure they activate properly and work effectively. It is a relatively simple matter to change the bulbs if one or more are not quite as efficient as you would hope.
Repair in Ten
Finally, make sure that you are able to repair any faults that would cause a failure within ten days of the first test. Having the retest done within this ten-day timeframe means that the test will only look at the problem areas – and that means that the retest fee will be proportionally lower too, saving you both time and money.
