What Is Checked in an MOT? A Plain Guide for Car Owners

What an MOT covers

An MOT checks that your car meets the minimum legal standards for road safety and environmental performance. The tester inspects lights, brakes, tyres and wheels, steering, suspension, seats and seatbelts, the windscreen, wipers and mirrors, the body and structure, the exhaust and emissions, the fuel system, the horn, and the registration plates and vehicle identification number.

Most cars need their first MOT three years after they were first registered, then every year after that. Driving without a valid MOT can lead to a fine of up to £1,000, unless you are driving to a pre-booked test or to have repairs done after a failure.

The main areas the tester checks

Lights and signalling: headlights, including aim, sidelights, indicators, brake lights, fog lights, hazard lights and the number plate light all have to work correctly and be the right colour.

Brakes: the tester measures braking performance and checks the condition of pipes, hoses, discs and pads where visible, plus the handbrake and the ABS warning light. Steering and suspension are checked for wear, excessive play, leaks and damage.

Tyres and wheels: tread depth must be at least 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre, with no serious cuts, bulges or exposed cords, and the tyres must be the right size and type. The tester also checks the wheels and fixings.

Visibility and body: the driver's view of the road, including windscreen damage in the area swept by the wipers, the wipers and washers, and mirrors. Body and chassis are checked for serious corrosion or sharp edges, and doors, seats and seatbelts must work properly.

Exhaust and emissions: the exhaust must be secure and free of serious leaks, and emissions must be within the limits for your car. On diesels with a diesel particulate filter, the tester checks the filter is fitted, and visible smoke of any colour from the exhaust is a fail.

Common reasons cars fail

Many MOT failures come from simple things that owners could spot beforehand. Blown bulbs, worn tyres, worn wiper blades, an empty washer bottle and dashboard warning lights are all common and easy to put right.

A few other easy checks before your test are worth a minute of your time. Make sure the horn works, the seatbelts all fasten, lock and retract properly, and the number plates are clean, legible and not faded or cracked. Top up the engine oil and screenwash, as the tester needs to check the emissions and washers. Clear out clutter from the boot and cabin too, because the tester needs access to seatbelts and other parts, and loose items can get in the way of the inspection.

Other frequent fail items include worn suspension parts, brake problems, excessive exhaust emissions and corroded components. A quick walk round the car before your test, checking lights, tyres, wipers and screenwash, can save you a retest.

What an MOT does not check

An MOT is not a service, and it is not a check of the car's mechanical health. It does not look at the condition of the engine, clutch or gearbox, and it does not check your oil level or when the timing belt was last changed.

That means a car can pass its MOT and still need work. It is also why a passed MOT does not guarantee the car will stay roadworthy for the next twelve months. Regular servicing is what keeps those unseen parts in good order.

Think of the two as working together. The MOT confirms the car met the legal safety standards on the day it was tested. A service looks after the parts that wear out between tests, like oil, filters, belts and fluids, so the car keeps running reliably and is more likely to sail through its next MOT.

Check your MOT history

You can see any car's MOT history online, including past results, mileage readings and advisories. It is a useful way to see what the tester flagged last year, so you know what to keep an eye on before your next test. Enter your registration below to check.

Book your MOT in Walsall

You can get an MOT up to a month, minus a day, before your current one runs out and keep the same renewal date, so there is no reason to leave it to the last minute. Booking early also gives you time to sort out any repairs.

MF Autocentre is a DVSA-approved Class 4 MOT test centre in Walsall. Book online or call us on 01922 636820.