Mot Test & Mot Failure - What Happens If Mot Fails?

By Author: Car Services in Reading
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If you're new to driving and aren't sure what occurs during an MOT or are simply wondering about what an MOT is, read the article below, which explains what an MOT is and why you need one. The following are some important details about the MOT test:


A car must be inspected every year after three years (four years in Northern Ireland) to ensure that it fulfils road safety and environmental regulations. An 'MOT' is the abbreviation for a Ministry of Transport test.

Around 21,000 licenced test centres around the country do MOTs, all of which have an official blue sign with three white triangles.
An MOT includes checking your car's brakes, fuel system, lights, mirrors, seatbelts, windscreen wipers, and exhaust system, among other things. It excludes the engine, clutch, and gearbox from consideration.
Even though the engine, clutch and gearbox are excluded but can possibly lead to an MOT failure if not working correctly. If the engine has some sort of fault, this can cause the emission test to fail and if the clutch and gearbox are faulty, the MOT examiner might not be able to complete the necessary ...
... checks for the MOT test so can be refused an MOT until the fault is repaired.


The maximum amount that official test centres can charge for an MOT is regulated by the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency. It is presently 54.85. However, many garages charge less to stay competitive, the typical MOT costs 45.


Nearly two-fifths of MOT tests fail the first time. However, this is frequently due to small flaws that the owner might have simply addressed beforehand. You can check MOT history of your car to confirm this.


Top Five Reasons For an MOT Failure
The following are the top five reasons for an MOT failure:
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1. Not enough screen wash
This simple process just takes a few minutes, so don't be taken off guard.


2. Full of a mess
If the car was unclean or cluttered, clean up the mess in the boot and cabin, then wipe off the windows and mirrors.


3. A registration plate issue
for example, the plate was dusty or missing entirely, or it had an improper typeface/spacing. If you have a personalised plate, check that it complies with DVLA regulations.


4. Stickers on the windscreen obstructing the driver's vision
Make sure that anything affixed to the windscreen, such as a parking permit, is outside the swept area of the wipers and view of the driver.


5. Dashboard caution light illuminated
Since 2012, the MOT has integrated illuminated warning lights. So, make sure you understand what the warning lights on your car represent, and if you have any, fix the underlying issue before the MOT.


Complete an MOT history check online to confirm how many times the above simple fixes were the reason for an MOT test failure.


Check Your Car Against The 11-Point Checklist Below
Below is the checklist to make sure you're not caught off guard. If you discover any issues in the following areas, you may be able to address some of them yourself to help keep garage prices low:


1. Headlights and indicators
Front, rear, headlights (main beam and dipped), hazard lights, and indicators are all examples of headlights and indicators. If any of them aren't working, look for damaged bulbs and replace them first. When you check MOT history of your vehicle, you will be amazed how many times a non-working headlight or indicator is the reason your MOT test failed.


2. Brake lights
Ask someone else to double-check that the rear brake lights turn on when you apply the brake pedal.


3. Tyres
Make sure that all of your tyres have at least the legal tread depth of 1.6mm, or your MOT will fail you. Examine the sidewalls for any damage, such as cracks in the tread, bulges, or cuts. Also, check the tyre pressure and, if required, raise it at a fuel station.


4. The handbrake
Make sure your handbrake is in good working order. If it glides up and down without restriction and can't be ratcheted to a certain level, there's an issue that a skilled mechanic will have to address.


5. Seats and seatbelts
Make that the driver's seat adjusts forward and backwards and look for any damage along the whole length of the seatbelt. Check that all of the seatbelts are firmly fastened and latch when you tug on them.


6. Windscreen
Any damage broader than 10mm in the driver's central vision, as well as any damage greater than 40mm in the whole swept area, will result in an MOT failure.


7. Windscreen wipers
Check to see if your wipers are efficiently cleaning your windscreen in combination with the washers. Any rips or holes in the wiper rubber might result in an MOT failure.


8. Suspension
Check the shock absorbers by putting your weight on each corner of the car and then immediately releasing it. The car's corner should return to its original position immediately. If it bounces more than twice, the shock absorbers may be defective and need to be replaced.


9. Horn
Sound a quick blast of the horn. if it doesn't function or isn't loud enough to draw pedestrians' or other motorists' notice, get it fixed.


10. Exhaust
Check for exhaust leaks by starting the engine in a well-ventilated, normal-temperature environment and listening from the back of the car for any strange noises or anomalous smoke.


11. Fuel and engine oil
Make sure your car has adequate fuel and engine oil. You might be turned away from the MOT if you don't have enough to correctly test your car's emissions levels.


If Your Car's MOT Fails If your vehicle fails its MOT, the test centre will issue you a VT3O Certificate that explains why. Before you may drive your car on the roads again, you must rectify these failure areas and schedule a partial MOT retest in which your vehicle must pass on them. A partial MOT retest may be available for free or at a discounted cost. This is dependent on whether you leave your vehicle at the test centre for repairs or have the work done somewhere else and then return for testing within a certain time frame (normally 10 days). This is the reason why we recommend to check MOT status of your car and having your local mechanic complete a pre MOT check to ensure all faults are fixed before the MOT test.