Around a third of cars fail their first MOT attempt, and a surprising number fail on simple things you could have fixed in five minutes at home. This checklist walks through what the tester looks at and the quick checks that stop an easy fail.
What the MOT checks
The test is split into clear areas. Knowing them helps you spot problems before the tester does:
- Lights and signals. Headlights, brake lights, indicators, fog and reversing lights all need to work and be the right colour.
- Tyres and wheels. Tread must be at least 1.6 mm across the central three quarters, with no serious damage.
- Brakes. Condition, operation and balance, including the handbrake.
- Steering and suspension. Checked for wear, play and security.
- Seatbelts. Every belt is checked for condition and that it latches and retracts.
- Screen, wipers and washers. A clear view of the road, with working wipers and washer fluid.
- Exhaust and emissions. Tested against the limit for your engine.
- Body, structure and general items. Including the horn, number plates and mirrors.
The most common reasons cars fail
Year after year the top failure areas are lights, tyres, brakes and the driver’s view of the road. The good news is that several of these are easy to check yourself.
Five minute checks before your test
- Walk around the car and test every light, ask someone to watch the brake lights and indicators.
- Check tyre tread with a 20p coin and look for bulges or cuts.
- Top up the washer bottle and test the wipers, replace blades that smear.
- Clear any clutter from the windscreen area and remove stickers in the swept zone.
- Listen for a working horn and make sure the number plates are clean and secure.
- Check the dashboard, a warning light that stays on, such as the airbag or engine light, can be a fail.
What happens if it fails
If your car fails, you will get a clear list of what needs putting right. A full service garage can carry out the repairs and retest the car, often the same day, so you leave with a valid certificate. At SMA Autos we explain every item in plain English and quote it before we start.
When you are ready, book your test on our MOT page. A few minutes of checks at home can be the difference between a pass and a wasted trip.
Book with your local Guildford garage
SMA Autos LTD is an independent garage in Normandy, Guildford, looking after drivers across Guildford, Worplesdon, Ash, Pirbright, Fairlands and the wider Surrey area. For honest advice and a clear price before any work starts, book online or call us on 07921 814250.