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In Front Autos - MOT Testing | In order to keep our customers safe and on the right side of the law, MOT Testing is a vital part of our business. If your car is three years old or more it must have a valid MOT certificate; anyone driving without one runs the risk of a £1000 fine. Since the introduction of the computerised MOT test procedure, standards have been tightened and made more consistent across test centres. We see this as being a very good step and being of great importance to road safety in general.
At In Front Autos, we have always prided ourselves on maintaining the highest standards of integrity and fairness in MOT testing, no less so now that the playing field has been leveled. |  | | Times for retests are now more strictly controlled and it is now more important than ever in terms of avoiding unnecessary delays to make sure your car is ready for the MOT. There is a lot that you can check over for yourself in a matter of minutes to make sure that your car doesn't fail on some trivial matter that could have easily been rectified. See our ten point self-help guide for more details of how you can avoid the commonest pitfalls. |
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In Front Autos - MOT Requirements | What items are examined in the MOT test?
Lighting Equipment, Stop Lamps, Reflectors, and Direction Indicators- Front and rear position lamps, rear registration plate lamps, rear fog lamps
- Headlamps
- Stoplamps
- Rear reflectors
- Direction indicators and hazard warning devices
- Headlamp aim
Steering (including suspension)- Steering control
- Steering system
- Power steering
- Suspension - general
- Front suspension, front wheel bearings and driveshafts
- Rear suspension and rear wheel bearings
- Shock absorbers
Brakes- Parking brake lever mechanism
- Hand operated brake control valves
- Service brake control
- Anti-lock braking system
- Mechanical brake components
- Hydraulic, air and vacuum systems
- Brake performance
Tyres
Seat Belts
General Items- Drivers view of the road
- Wipers
- Washers
- Windscreen
- Audible warning (horn)
- Exhaust system
- Exhaust emissions -petrol & diesel
- General condition of vehicle -
- vehicle structure
- body security
- body condition
- doors
- load security
- spare wheel and carrier
- seats
- Mirrors
- Fuel system
- Registration plates and VIN details
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In Front Autos - MOT Self Help | Ten things you can easily check for yourself to improve the chance of a first time pass.- Lighting. This is really easy, and apart from the headlamp aim can be checked without any equipment, taking five minutes to walk round your car and making sure that all the lights work could save you a lot of hanging about. Don't forget the accessory lamps too! Even if they are not standard, if lamps are fitted they must work.
- Tyres. Much of your tyre can bee seen without getting underneath. How is the tread looking? Are there any cuts or kerb damage in the sidewall? Don't forget to look at the wheel rim and valve too, dents and cracks can spell problems.
- Spare wheel. It is often easy to forget the spare wheel, tucked away in the boot it never sees the light of day if you are lucky. However, it too must be legal, with at least 1.6mm of tread, good sidewalls and correct pressure, go on - take a few seconds to make sure.
- Windscreen. Modern laminated screens crack rather than shatter and can sagfely be used with a degree of cracking. However, if any crack extends to the field of the driver's view, then it will fail. In many cases, cracks can be dealt with under insurance with no loss of no claims bonus, so it is well worth taking a good look.
- Windscreen wipers. While you are there it is worth taking a look at your wiper blades just to make sure there is no rubber peeling off and that they make good contact with the screen.
- Windscreen washers. Finally, before leaving the windscreen area, take a look at the washer jets. Do they all work? Is the spray directed at the wiper area and is there plenty of liquid in the bottle? This takes only a few seconds to check and can save you time at the MOT station.
- It's behind you! Yes, but can you see it? How are your mirrors? No blemishes, cracks, missing glass or blooming? Another really quick check that you can do for yourself.
- Seat belts. A quick look can confirm whether your seat belts are up to scratch. Are they frayed or torn? Do the buckles work (don't forget the back seats!) and do the reels move freely? When you use something every day it is easy to stop noticing it. Take the time to look every now and again.
- Exhaust system. While not everyone can get under their car to check the system, we can all hear. Sometimes we don't listen, but we can hear. Take a few seconds to listen outside the car for obvious exhaust leaks or rattles.
- Number plates. While it may be amusing to have the spaces taken out of your H4 RRY number plate to let your fellow motorist know who you are, it is certainly illegal. Likewise the use of fancy fonts to personalise plates is going to cause a fail. These days, this can cause a big delay as number plates are not as readily available as they were at one time.
There is no substitute for a thorough regime of preventative maintenance to give you the best chance of passing first time, but there is always a place for a little self-help, so following our guide will definitely help you spot some of the irritating potential faults that can develop at the last minute.
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In Front Autos - MOT Appeals | What if I disagree with an MOT result?
If you disagree with the test result firstly discuss it with the test station if possible, and do not let anyone carry out repairs to your vehicle.
What if I think it has wrongly failed?
You must complete an appeal form (VT17) obtainable from any MOT testing station or by calling the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA), on the MOT enquiry line - 0845 600 5977. Completed forms need to be returned to VOSA within 14 working days of the test along with a full test fee. VOSA will then offer an appointment within 5 working days to recheck your vehicle. If your appeal is successful some or all of the test fee will be refunded to you. Do not have your vehicle repaired before your appeal is considered, as any change to your vehicle may affect the outcome of the appeal.
Can I fix the vehicle myself?
VOSA will supply you with an inspection report listing any vehicle defects and advisory items following their check of the vehicle. Anyone can repair the vehicle, but all rectification work will be assessed (using the criteria specified in the MOT inspection manual) before an MOT certificate is issued.
What if I think my vehicle has wrongly passed?
These cases usually relate to recently purchased vehicles and you should let VOSA know as soon as possible. VOSA will then offer an appointment within 5 working days to recheck your vehicle without charge, provided:- not more than 28 days have elapsed since the MOT test
- not more than three months have elapsed since the MOT test for a rust or corrosion related problem
What action can I take against the garage?
VOSA cannot request compensation on your behalf - you can however take action in conjunction with your local trading standards department, take out proceedings personally or refer the matter to the police.
Any subsequent action VOSA decide to take against the garage that tested your vehicle is done at their discretion, and should have no bearing on any action you may decide to take.
Contacting VOSA
The address of the local VOSA office is displayed in MOT testing stations or can be obtained from our MOT enquiry unit on 0845 600 5977 (local rate) or VOSA's national number on 0870 606 0440 (national rate). Click here for a list of local VOSA Offices.
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