What can you do in just a Minute or Two? You could make a cup of tea I guess but how about trying to ensure your car doesn’t fail its MOT, you’ll be surprised at how effective and cost saving it could be.
The day your car goes for its MOT test is according to Richard Hammond “as scary as taking A-Levels.” That’s a good comparison because you wouldn’t go into an exam unprepared and fully expect to pass it so why not do the same for your car? Spending just a Minute or Two making straightforward checks can be the difference between passing and saving money or failing your MOT. Those who fall into that trap are contributing towards the £82m that the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) say is spent yearly by the 1.5m failed MOT tests that could so easily have been avoided.
Minor Issues
Around 40% of cars fail their MOT test and frequently itsminor issues that are the cause. Take 2011 for example when 164,837 MOT failures were caused by lighting and signalling and 82,555 by headlight aim. Just how embarrassed will you be if you have to tell your friends that your beloved car failed its MOT because of an empty windscreen washer fluid bottle? It does happen and you don’t have to be a mechanic to avoid such a situation.
Making these checks is even more important after recent changes to the test which the AA fear will lead to more MOT failures. Andy Smith, the AA’s patrolman of the year has urged drivers to be more thorough in their checks. “If you’ve been happily ignoring a warning light because it’s not part of the MOT, these changes mean your car could now be on the MOT scrap heap or you’ll need to fork out on expensive repairs,” Tests on seat belts, car seats, doors, warning lights, airbags,brake fluid, headlights and dashboard lights will now be carried out. It may sound daunting but honestly how long does it take you to check your car doors open and shut properly? That Minute or Two becomes more and more vital as you strive to avoid an MOT failure.
Not every fault you discover can be self-rectified but at least you can get your local dealer to give you helpful advice and sort out the problem before the MOT test itself. So just what is it you can do in that Minute or Two?
1. Headlights and Indicators: Make sure your headlights, sidelights, rear lights, hazard lights and indicators all work properly. It only takes one of these to not be working to fail your MOT.
2. Brake lights: If you’re on your own then reverse up to a reflective surface (a window does the job well), press the brake pedal and just look behind to check the light is working. Or if you have a friend with you, just get them to check for you.
3. Number Plate: It has to be clean and legible, just a quick wipe with a cloth can do the job. Also ensure the font and spacing of letters complies with legal requirements.
4. Wheels and Tyres: It’s recommended that you change your tyres when the thread depth is down to 3mm. However as long as it is not below 1.6mm this will avoid an MOT failure.
5. Seats and seatbelts: The driver’s seat must be able to be adjusted both forwards and backwards. Also check the full length of your seatbelt and give them a sharp tug to check they react the way they need to when brakingseverely.
6. Windscreen: If there is any damage it must not be larger than 40mm or wider than 10mm in the ‘swept’ area in front of the driver.
7. Windscreen Wipers: Make sure there’s no tears or holes in the Windscreen wiper rubbers
8. Screenwash: The washer bottle has to be topped up to prevent MOT failure.
9. Horn: Probably best not to do this at 4am but give it a blast and make sure it works properly
10. Fuel and Engine Oil: Don’t let these run low, emission levels need to be tested and you could be turned away if they’re not. Be careful to allow your car to cool down before carrying out checks.
Hopefully these checks are enough to ensure your car passes its MOT but if you are unfortunate and despite your best preparations, your car fails its MOT, there are two options: repair or not to repair. Ideally, the failings will be minor and cheap to fix.Sometimes the bill to repair will be just too high and it is more economical to sell the car for scrap and recoup some losses. In such a scenario, it is recommended to ensure you use a reputable scrap dealer, such as National Scrap Car, who will dispose of cars legally and safelyand will issue you with the DVLA Certificate of Destruction so you no longer have any legal responsibility for the vehicle.