Why MOT is Important and Why You Must Take it Just as Seriously

by Colemans Garage Automotive

The continuous increase in pollution levels and climate change has reinforced the need to curb emissions. This is why MOT is not something you should be apprehensive about. MOT ensures that the cars running in the UK are not polluting the very air you breathe in. Along with environmental safety, the purpose of MOT is to make sure that you and your family live healthy and safe.

An MOT tests the brakes, lighting, steering, tyres, wheels, seat belts, windscreen, car body and exhaust. All these components need to work effectively to ensure that your car passes its MOT Alfreton.

In case of issues with any vehicle components, there are these three possible categories you can fall under.

Categorizing Issues in an MOT Test

Dangerous

A car falls in this category when its condition is such that it poses an immediate risk to road safety, and has a serious impact on the environment. One cannot drive this vehicle unless a thorough repair is undertaken.

Major

A car is assigned in this category when damages are such that it has the possibility of affecting a vehicle’s safety. Immediate repair of the car as soon as possible is necessary here.

Minor

This category means, there isn’t any concerning fault with the car. Defects that may be present are not going to affect vehicle safety or impact the environment negatively.

In case of a failure to get an MOT certificate, you can apply for retesting.

A Guide on MOT Retests

I. If you keep your car in the test centre after a failure, then it can have a partial re-test within ten working days from the date of the original test. This test will be free of cost.

II. You may also choose to take your car away to some other auto garage for repairs. After conducting the work, if you bring back your car to the testing centre for a re-test within ten working days, you will have to pay only half the fees.

III. In case you choose to take away your car after a test failure and bring it back after repairing it, within the next working day, you will not have to pay any fee for a retest.

Often, minor defects that are easily fixable can hinder your MOT certificate renewals. To ensure that doesn’t happen, stick to this checklist -

Check for bulbs that are fused, and replace them.

Make sure that the tyres have a minimum tread depth of 1.6 mm. If your tyres tread depth is below 1.6 mm, consider buying new Tyres in Alfreton for your car.

Check if your handbrakes are working efficiently.

Check the horn.

Make sure that your exhaust system doesn’t release any coloured smoke.

The windscreen wipers should work effectively. There shouldn’t be any tear or hole in the windscreen wiper.

Check your suspensions for any worn-out shock absorbers.

Garages that have a license from DVSA can only test your car for MOT. For convenience, it is better to visit a garage that will also conduct the necessary repairs, such as Colemans Garage. They also provide services such as wheel alignment and exhaust repair.