Common MOT Failures That a Regular Service Could Have Prevented

The day when a car is taken to have its MOT test is feared by every car owner. That nervous wait till the results will pass or fail? Amazingly, there are numerous MOT failures that can be traced to a simple problem that would have been detected and resolved during a routine car check. Faded tyres and broken lights are only some of the common defects that are not only inconvenient but also may threaten road safety. 

We are going to discuss some of the most common MOT failures and ways in which they can be avoided by performing regular servicing.

Worn Tyres

Worn or damaged tyres are one of the leading causes of failure in the MOT test of a vehicle. The minimum tread depth of the tyres in the UK is 1.6mm, though, during the inspection, many tyres have been identified as less than this limit. Tyres that are worn may influence the grip of your car, the distance in braking and handling more particularly in wet weather.

A service routine consists of tyre checkups, during which the technicians check the depth of the treads, irregular wear, and check for puncture holes or cracks. The trick to passing your car MOT without any problems is to replace the tyres before they deteriorate to a risky level.

As a driver who uses his or her vehicles extensively, it is a good idea to reserve a car service Faringdon ahead of the MOT to check whether your car tyres are roadworthy and in excellent condition.

Malfunctioning Lights and Indicators

Hard to believe, but one of the MOT failures that occurs the most and can be easily prevented is faulty or blown bulbs. The MOT test also covers headlights, brake lights, and indicators, and a single faulty bulb will result in a failure.

When the car is being serviced, all the external lights are also inspected and changed when required. It is just a matter of fixing a few minutes, and it can result in either a pass or a fail. A quick home check is also available to the drivers in the form of turning on the ignition, walking around the car, and checking whether all lights are in good order.

Brake Problems

Another reason for MOT failures is the brakes. It can be worn-out brake pads, leaking brake fluid, or uneven braking, but these cannot only be dangerous but also expensive to fix in case they are not treated.

In regular servicing, a complete inspection of the brakes is carried out with the mechanic inspecting the pads, discs, and fluid levels. Signs of wear can be detected early, and this can avoid minor repairs that can turn into serious and expensive problems. It is worth remembering that when braking your car, when it drifts to one side, or when it makes a grinding noise, then do not wait until your vehicle's MOT, but make sure that you get it checked.

Suspension Faults

The drivers tend to ignore the suspension issues until they manifest in an MOT test. Bad shock absorbers, frayed springs or leaking suspension parts may interfere with the way your car rides over bumps and around corners and may make it less comfortable and less safe.

Routine servicing can find out these problems at an early stage. Mechanics can diagnose the car suspension by examining whether the car is leaking fluids, whether the tyres are wearing irregularly, or whether the car produces certain strange sounds when moving through rough roads. By repairing these malfunctions beforehand, the worst that will happen is the failure of the MOT and the bitter experience of a rough ride.

Wipers/Washers Windscreens

Another minor issue may be a broken windscreen or broken wipers, but they are frequent causes of failure on MOTs. The test involves the examination of the clarity of sight of the driver, the wiper, and the washer functionality.

Maintenance guarantees that the washer fluid is filled and the blades are maintained in a good state. Replacing wipers frequently will ensure visibility during bad weather. It is a cheap solution that will ensure safety and avoid MOT disappointment.

Emission and Exhaust Problems

The increased emission standards have seen numerous vehicles fail MOT because of exhaust leakages or excessive emissions. A routine service can assist in this as it will check the exhaust system to see whether it was damaged and the engine is running efficiently. Clearly, clean oil, a clean air filter, and good engine tuning will reduce emissions and offer excellent fuel economy.

Turning and Balancing Issues

When the steering of your car is loose or is drawing towards one side, then this may indicate misalignment or steering problems. These are widely identified when MOT checks are conducted, but can be resolved earlier in the case of servicing. It is not only the handling that is enhanced when done properly, but it also increases tyre life and safety in general.

Conclusion

The majority of MOT failures are due to problems that could have easily been avoided by normal maintenance. Basic inspections in the servicing process, such as tyre tests, brake tests, and replacing lights, can save time, money, and stress. Having maintained your car regularly not only guarantees that your car is reliable, but also that you are likely to pass your vehicle's MOT for the first time.

You should not leave it to the last minute when your vehicle's MOT test date is coming. Book an MOT Faringdon and combine it with a full-service car. An hour of preventive maintenance now will ensure that your car is safe, serviceable, and MOT fit to pass the following year.