The MOT is a test which must be taken annually to ensure your car is legally allowed to drive on the road. If your vehicle is more than 3 years old, you must have it checked by an approved MOT garage every year to have it taxed. The MOT test protocol was completely overhauled last year, and the government added three new categories:
- Dangerous
- Major Faults
- Minor Faults
If your car passes the test, you’ll receive a certificate stating that your vehicle has been deemed roadworthy for another year. If you are caught driving with a valid MOT certificate, you face fines and other penalties. If your annual test date is coming up and you need a MOT garage in Swindon, look them up online for more information on test centres.
Getting Ready for the Test
You’ll be surprised to find that failure rates are pretty high with fairly new vehicles, – cars that are only 3 to 6 years old. You may assume your vehicle will pass just because it is going for its first MOT, but that might not be the case. Statistics show that 1 in 5 new cars actually fail their first MOT.
There are a number of checks you can carry out to ensure your vehicle passes with flying colours. You should look at some of the most common reasons for failing and examine each of these when assessing your car. Look out for problems with your lights, tyre pressure, windscreen, exhaust and brakes.