More commonly known as the annual test car owners nationwide dread, the Ministry of Transport test, or MOT, is an inspection of vehicles aged over three years to test their performance, safety on the road and exhaust emissions.
Are MOTs and servicing the same thing?
With standards set by the government agency VOSA (Vehicle & Operator Services Agency) that are identical for every vehicle, MOTs are set apart from servicing on your car, with garages not permitted to strip cars down to find potential faults that need work. Whilst servicing is important on top of MOT work to address work on brakes and the changing of oil and oil filters, MOT tests are thorough inspections in themselves, that do not require subsequent ‘full’ or ‘major’ services.
Servicing, like MOTs, should be carried out on your vehicle each year around six months before your MOT to ensure your vehicle passes its inspection. Services booked to be performed straight before a car’s MOT, however, are suspicious, suggesting the vehicle is unsafe and needs major work in order to pass its MOT.
Why are MOTs important?
MOTs are vital to ensure that all cars on the road are safe to be there. If you wish to own and drive a vehicle aged over 3 years on the roads in the UK, it is vital that the vehicle has full, safe mechanical functionality as well as a safe, healthy level and type of emissions. Without MOTs, there could be cars on the road that were not deemed safe for their own or other vehicle’s drivers, as well as being potentially damaging to the immediate environment with hazardous emissions.
MOTs, though an additional cost to the vehicle owner, in fact reduce the cost for vehicle owners in the long term. By identifying small problems a car may be experiencing early on, and fixing them before they become more severe and subsequently more costly, MOTs save vehicle owners money, time and inconvenience.
What is checked in an MOT?
MOTs cover three chief areas of motors – roadworthiness, safety and exhaust emissions – as well as some other parameters. The regulations set by VOSA certify that an MOT will address the following critical aspects of your vehicle:
- Body of car checked for damage and corrosion
- Fuel system including all pipes checked for leaks and correct sealing
- Door, bonnet and boot hinges and safety catches must be secure and close properly
- Mirrors must be functional and secure
- Windscreens and windows must be clear, functional and secure
- Wipers must be functional
- Horn must be functional and match requirements
- Steering and suspension must be in good condition
- Registration plates and VIN must be displayed correctly at all times
- Tyres must be correct size and tread
- Seat belts and airbags must meet requirements and be functional
- All headlights, tail and brake lights and indicators must be functional
- Car’s brakes must be functional: electronic stability control, park brake and brake fluid warning are all tested
- Exhaust emissions must be compliant with your vehicle’s permitted levels, which are based on its age and which type of fuel it uses
At Oaks Services, we are committed to providing high quality yet affordable MOTs, servicing and car repairs on vehicles in the South East of England. Get in touch with our friendly team today, and let us arrange your vehicle’s expert MOT or servicing at a time to suit you.
