MOT checklist
Did you know that a dirty number plate or an empty screenwash container can result in a failed MOT? Find out what checks will be carried out during an MOT, then take a look at our checklist to give your car its best chance of passing.
What is an MOT?
An MOT is like an annual health check for your car to ensure it’s safe and roadworthy. It’s a comprehensive set of inspections that must be completed annually if your car is over three years old, to ensure it complies with safety regulations.
It’s important to get your car MOT tested; otherwise, you could be fined up to £2,500 for driving without a valid or current MOT certificate.
During an MOT test, a certified tester takes a close look at your vehicle, examines various components, and goes through the checklist to make sure they meet safety and environmental standards. They will do visual inspections, test things out, and take measurements if needed.
If all items on the checklist pass, you'll get an MOT certificate, your MOT status will be recorded, and your car is good to go. Passing an MOT means the car is safe, legal and roadworthy. But your vehicle will still need regular maintenance to keep it in good condition. You can check your MOT history on the government website.
You can expect different results depending on the defects found during the test. Here are the possible MOT test results you need to know:
Pass: your vehicle meets all legal standards, you pass the test, and you can get an MOT certificate directly.
Advisory: you pass the test, but some worn vehicle parts could be a big problem later. You'll need to monitor these issues regularly and get them fixed.
Minor: your vehicle has passed but with minor defects that need to be repaired as soon as possible.
Major: your car has failed the test with major defects due to significant issues that could badly impact your safety or the environment. The defects must be repaired before you can drive the vehicle on the road again.
Dangerous: if you get a 'dangerous' test result, it means your car poses a severe risk to road safety or the environment. It’s illegal to drive a vehicle classified as dangerous, and you’re not allowed to use it on public roads until the repairs have been made.
Brakes
Brakes are normally considered the most critical safety feature of a vehicle, and they will be thoroughly assessed by the examiner. The inspection will also include:
Brake pads
Pedals
Levers (including the handbrake)
General condition
If there are any faulty, worn-out pads, leaking brake fluid, or any other disrepair, this will qualify as an immediate fail. You need to make sure all of your braking systems are in good working condition before you take your car for its MOT.
Steering, suspensions and shock absorbers
Steering and suspension system is the second most likely area that can cause an MOT test fail. They are also not easy to fix and can cost you a lot of money. The steering components, including the bolts, bearings, gaiters, clamps, and universal joints, will be checked for any issues. In addition, the test centre will inspect the wheel condition and steering column for signs of damage or wear and tear.
The dashboard warning lights and power steering will also be tested while the engine is running to make sure your steering wheel lock works properly. To investigate the performance of your shock absorbers, press down the front of your car firmly and observe how it responds – a smooth return to its original position indicates healthy shock absorbers.
Seatbelts and seats
Ensure all seats are securely fixed, and that the driver’s seat safely locks in position and is easy to adjust. The MOT test centre will check that your seatbelts pull, lock, and release smoothly. The seatbelts' clip mechanism also needs to be in good condition.
Tyres
It’s illegal to drive if your tyre tread depth is below 1.6 mm – if that’s the case, your car will automatically fail the MOT. If your tyres are on or nearing this minimum, you will be advised to replace them immediately. The test centre will also assess the condition of the wheel bearings and the tyre pressure, alignment, and overall condition of each tyre.
You can check whether your tire is within the legal limit of 1.6 mm with a 20p coin – simply place the coin in between the tread and if the outer ‘band’ of the coin is not visible at all, your tire should be within legal tread limits.
Doors, windows and openings
The examiner will check all of your car’s doors, windows, and openings, making sure they can be securely opened and closed from both inside and outside, including the bonnet and the boot. Make sure your bonnet, boot and door handle work properly; if they stick you can oil them before the test.
Lights
All lights must be working properly on the car when you take it to a test centre for an MOT. These include:
Brake lights
Hazard lights
Headlights
Fog lights
Indicators
Side lights
Your car can also fail if your headlights are misted, misaligned, or cracked, so it’s important to test the headlights before the MOT. That way, you’ll be able to replace them and not have to pay the costs for another MOT test.
Mirrors, windscreens and wipers
Checking your windscreens, mirrors and wipers and ensuring they’re all in good working order is an easy way to make sure you’re giving your car the best chance possible to pass its MOT. They can be easy to fix if you spot them before the test, but can be relatively expensive to repair otherwise, because you’re car will need to retake the test.
Here’s what test centres will look for:
The windscreens should be in good condition with no ‘substantial’ cracks. (Cracks or chips measuring up to 10 mm are permitted within the area swept by the wipers).
Wiper blades must be in decent working order, and enough screen wash must be present to sufficiently clean the windscreen.
Rear-view mirrors must be securely attached, correctly positioned and provide excellent visibility.
Exhaust and emissions
The MOT centre will test the exhaust system for any rattling, smoky emissions or leaks that could cause serious issues. They’ll then test the vehicle’s emissions using specialist equipment to ensure that they fall within the legal limit, which will vary depending on the age of the vehicle.
You should check whether you can hear the exhaust blowing or smell exhaust fumes from inside the car before you take your car in for an MOT. You can do this by checking whether you can hear the exhaust blowing or smell any exhaust fumes from inside the car.
VIN number
The vehicle identification number (VIN) must be clearly visible in at least one place on the car. This is usually stamped into the chassis of the car and can sometimes be found on the numberplates.
Doing a pre-MOT check to identify any issues beforehand can help you address them and ensure a smoother MOT inspection. Also, don’t forget to clean your car before getting an MOT.
If you have failed your MOT you have a few options on how to proceed, and the test centre will let you know the areas that need repairing. The process typically goes:
If your vehicle has major or dangerous defects, the repairs must be done immediately.
The most common option is to carry out repairs at the MOT test centre – which will take up to two days to complete, depending on the faults.
Normally, your car will be retested or have a partial test after all repairs have been made.
However, if your vehicle keeps failing the MOT, it might be time to consider upgrading your car instead of constantly dealing with repairs and repeated tests – investing in a new good quality car could save you stress, time, and money.