The Most Commonplace MOT Fails And How To Avoid Them

All motors more than three years old in the UK need to skip a yearly MOT take a look at (except if it turned made earlier than 1960). The MOT is a simple test of roadworthiness and isn't to be careworn with a car fitness take a look at. Positioned, an MOT will determine whether your vehicle is secure to drive on the road, it's going to now not screen any lurking vehicle health problems, inclusive of problems with the take hold of or the engine, that could cause car breakdown inside the future that will help you skip your MOT and ensure your vehicle stays roadworthy, we have taken records from the driver and vehicle requirements Authority (the DVSA – the body that oversees the MOT), to expose what the maximum not unusual MOT Test Dartford screw ups are - maximum is more simple than you may suppose.

 We have also provided our recommendation on how you may probably avoid these common disasters with simple exams.

 Lighting and Signalling (18.8%):

 Almost a 5th of all motors which fail their MOT are because of a difficulty with their lighting.

 Often, this may be as simple as a blown bulb. transfer all your lighting on and stroll around your vehicle to check they’re in working order.

 Do the indicators flash as they must? Don’t forget about the quantity plate light.

 It’s also well worth checking the circumstances of the lights.

 Often plastic lenses get misty over the years, so it is probably worth buying a package to smooth your lighting fixtures beforehand of the MOT.

 Appearance out for any cracks to your lighting fixtures, too, and ask someone to stand in the back of the automobile to test the brake lighting fixtures light up as you press the brake pedal.

 Suspension (13%):

 With information displaying the RAC attended over 6,500 breakdowns precipitated due to potholes in the first quarter of 2017, it’s no surprise that more than one in 10 MOT disasters are by suspension problems.

 Those may be fairly well so that you can be for lacking a leaky surprise absorber or even a snapped spring.

 Pay attention to noises made by your automobile during regular riding – mainly all through cornering or while passing over bumpy roads.

 Brakes (10%):

 We don’t need to explain how critical your brakes are, however, one in 10 automobiles fail their MOT due to issues with the braking device.

 That’s a stressful quantity – mainly as most faults will be pretty obvious.

 Listen out for squealing or grinding noises from your brakes, each is a symptom that the pads are running low.

 When braking, does it forestall in an instant line or does it pull to at least one facet?

 You must also check out the discs and pads – you would possibly want to cast off the wheel to do this (here's a quick video on the way to try this), otherwise you are probably able to look through the spokes.

 Tyres (7.7%):

 An automobile could have all of the protection structures within the international, however, if the 4 bits of rubber connecting it to the street aren’t up to scratch, you could have a catastrophe on your hands.

 You should test your tyres regularly, no longer simply at MOT time – but they count for the fourth maximum famous failure price for the once-a-year check.

Use a 20p coin to test the tread.

 The regulation states that tyres want 1.6mm of tread across the central three-quarters.

 Insert a 20p coin – if you see the outer band, the tread is too low and you may be as much as £2,500 and hit with 3 penalty factors according to tyre.

 Don’t simply rely upon the tread you can see… experience inside the tyre – choppy wear can be indicative of troubles with alignment or terrible inflation.

 At the same time as you’re checking the tyres, look out for any lumps or cuts – both of which could cause a dangerous blowout and must be constant right now.

Problems Affecting the Motive Force’s View of the Street (7.2%):

 Seeing the road sincerely is vital for safe riding but an alarming 7.2% of MOT disasters are a result of problems affecting the motive force’s view of the road. this may include things blocking the windscreen (which include aftermarket sat-navs or air fresheners), or cracks and chips in the driving force’s eyeliner.

 It even consists of whether the bonnet may be secure – is there a hazard your bonnet could pop open and block the motive force’s view?

 In the end, test the wipers – do they paint as they should? It’s worth topping up your windscreen washer fluid before you take a look at it, too.

Although these are the primary reasons that an automobile fails its MOT in the United Kingdom, there are many greater elements which get tested. check out our full MOT checklist and guide for a definitive list before you get booked in at a reliable storage. if you need any automobile repairs, you could even name a mobile mechanic to do the paintings properly there in your driveway you can keep on track with your vehicle's upkeep by using a Car Service Dartford or MOT plan to spread the cost over two years.