MOTs

Should I get my car serviced at the same time?

The MOT test is a visual inspection of the car and is the same for all cars. A car service is also mainly inspection and may duplicate some of the work done in the MOT. Some kind of service should be done alongside your MOT, but the best service will vary by vehicle. You don’t need a major inspection but should book a service that will complement the MOT, such as service that includes fully stripping down and checking the brakes, as a vehicle can pass an MOT brake test but have a year left of driving in the brakes. Get your MOT first, then book a service for a more thorough check.

How long does an MOT take?

Our MOT tests generally take approximately 45 minutes. After the test, you will be briefed on any warnings that will not cause your vehicle to fail its MOT but should be looked at and serviced as soon as possible to prevent the problem from getting worse and becoming dangerous.

What types of vehicles do you MOT?

We can MOT test a range of vehicles. We test:

•   Class 4 vehicles (cars and small vans)
•   Class 7 vehicles (vehicles in the 3.0 to 3.5-tonne weight range, including commercial vehicles, large vans, pickups and transits)
•   Motorhomes

What is checked during an MOT?

The MOT test is designed to make sure that your vehicle meets road safety and environmental standards. The checks include lamps, reflectors, electrical equipment, steering, suspension, brakes, tires, seat belts, exhaust systems, fuel systems, emissions, mirrors, wipers and windscreen.

Remember that even if your car passes it’s MOT, the MOT certificate is not a guarantee of the condition of your vehicle. To ensure your safety and to maintain the condition of the vehicle, you should have it serviced regularly.

If your vehicle will need some help to pass its MOT, we can carry out the required repairs on-site to make sure we’re sending you home in a safe vehicle.

How can I make sure my car passes its MOT?

Many cars fail on something simple that could be fixed easily. Check your lights, tire condition, mirrors, wipers and washers yourself regularly and have them fixed if you notice an issue.

What happens if my vehicle fails its MOT?

If a vehicle fails its MOT, it must be repaired and retested. You cannot legally drive a vehicle on the road until the required repairs have been made and an MOT certificate issued. We will advise you on any repairs needed and can usually carry these out on-site on the same day.

There is no set limit to have your retest done. However, your vehicle may not legally be on the road without a valid MOT certificate unless you are taking it for repairs required an MOT test or for a pre-arranged MOT test. It’s advisable to have the repairs made and the vehicle retested as soon as you can, so you can get back on the road.

Do I need to bring any documents with me to the test?

If this is your vehicle’s first MOT you should bring your V5C vehicle registration certificate (logbook) with you. This will also be needed if your vehicle has had a change of registration plate since it last had an MOT. For other vehicles, no documentation is needed, although the logbook can be helpful, especially if you are having your vehicle serviced at the same time.pproximately 45 minutes