What Makes A Mot Pass Or Fail?

By Author: Car Services in Reading
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When the MOT tester examines all of these aspects of your vehicle, they are ensuring that it is roadworthy. This means it may be driven on the road without endangering anyone, and it complies with all of the UK's emissions regulations.

According to the government's MOT testing data for the United Kingdom, 40% of automobiles fail their MOT on the first attempt. The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has done research into the most common MOT failures to assist you avoid this occurring to you.

The following are the most common Ministry of Transport failures:

Lightbulbs and signalling - Lights and signalling failures account for 30% of MOT failures.
Tyre pressure and condition - Tyres account for 10% of all defects.
Mirrors, washers, and wipers - The 'driver's perspective of the road' accounts for 5% of all failures.
What's the Difference Between a Service and a MOT?
It's crucial to know that a Ministry of Transportdoes not verify that your vehicle is operating as the manufacturer or dealership recommends. This is because a MOT only examines your vehicle's safety and emissions, ...
... whereas a service examines if it is performing as it should.

A service will evaluate some of the same components that are examined during Ministry of Transport such as seat belts, brakes, and tyres, but it will also examine the vehicle in greater depth.

A service also includes topping up the brake fluid and engine oil, which isn't done during a Ministry of Transport.

Service is also necessary to ensure that your vehicle runs as efficiently as possible for as long as feasible. Your vehicle may pass its Ministry of Transport, but it may require the replacement of certain components, such as the catalytic converter, fuel filter, and air filter (if you have one). These items should be examined, fixed, and replaced on a regular basis to avoid long-term damage to your vehicle, so get your car serviced at least once every 12 months, in addition to your MOT test.

It is recommended to search online for reliable MOT centre in Reading that also complete service and repairs on vehicles. This way you will time and possibly money as you will be able to complete a Ministry of Transport and service together. Also, if your vehicle fails the MOT test, the garage will also be able to carry out any necessary repairs required.

How to Get Your Vehicle Ready for a MOT Test
You may boost your chances of passing your MOT on the first try by inspecting the sections that are most likely to fail, such as the tyres, view of the road, and lightbulbs and signals, before bringing the car in for the test. It may seem time consuming to go over every aspect of your vehicle and make sure it's in functioning order, but even if you only do these three things, you'll be able to spot the most common problems.

To discover if your tyre pressure is within the acceptable range for passenger vehicles, you may check it yourself. The suggested pressure level is usually between 30-35 psi, however it varies each vehicle, so consult your owner's handbook to find out.

You should also maintain your vehicle to the best of your ability in order to pass your MOT. You may clean and maintain your headlights, as well as replace the brake and headlight bulbs. This will keep them in good working order and prevent your car from failing the inspection. Wiper blades may also be replaced and cleaned. These will be examined during your MOT test and must be in perfect operating order.

What to Bring to Your MOT Test
You should also bring certain papers to the garage, in addition to prepping your vehicle by doing the above-mentioned minor tests. If possible, bring your last MOT certificate and your V5C (also known as the vehicle logbook) to your test.

If you lose your last MOT certificate, you can contact the MOT test centre where your vehicle was checked, and they should be able to print you a new one from their records or you can go online and complete this yourself. You'll need your car's registration number and your V5C number to receive a new MOT certificate. If you lose your V5C number, you must contact the DVLA, who will assist you in obtaining a replacement.

What if Your Vehicle Fails Its MOT Test?
If the result indicates 'hazardous' or 'major' faults, your car will fail the MOT test. If you just receive a list of 'minor' or 'advisory' faults, these are issues that you should record and address in the future, but your MOT will still pass. Only 'dangerous' or 'major' issues result in a failure.

If your vehicle fails the MOT, you'll be given a 'refusal of a MOT test certificate,' similar to this one on the government website. The failed test will be entered into the MOT database as well.

If your car fails its MOT, you will not be able to take it with you since it will have one or more 'dangerous' flaws that must be corrected before you can drive it again. Even if your vehicle fails the current MOT, you are still permitted to drive it away if its prior MOT certificate is still valid. However, if you don't correct all of the key problems before your last MOT certificate expires, you won't be able to drive your car when it does.

It's critical that you don't drive without a MOT certificate: not only is it unsafe for you and other road users, but you may be fined up to 1,000 for driving a vehicle without a valid MOT certificate.

Completing a MOT Retest After the Necessary Repairs Are Completed
In some situations, after your vehicle has been repaired, you may be eligible for a partial retest for free or at a reduced cost. You can undertake a partial retest for free if you leave your car at the garage where the MOT was performed and the retest is 10 working days or fewer after the initial test.

If your car fails the MOT and the previous MOT certificate has expired, you are free to drive it away from the garage to either get the faults addressed or to another pre-arranged MOT appointment only if the test has not failed on any 'dangerous' faults. In either instance, though, your vehicle must still fulfil the UK's minimum roadworthiness regulations. These requirements may be found in the Highway Code on the Department for Transport website.

Is It Possible to Challenge the MOT Test Result?
If you believe the MOT tester failed your vehicle without reason, you can file an appeal with the DVSA. The paperwork and contact information you'll need may be found on the DVSA website.

If you are appealing your MOT result, however, you are unable to make any repairs while the appeal is pending. This is because it has an impact on the case's result. If the DVSA determines that your vehicle has to be retested, you will be responsible for paying the MOT charge again. If your appeal is successful, you will get a partial or whole refund of this charge.

If you are not confident or unsure in completing the above tasks, look online for how to find best car garages in Reading and book your car in with a reputable garage to complete a full diagnostic check to establish if any repair work or possibly certain parts will need to be replaced in order to pass the MOT test