Our essential MOT Checklist

Interior

Test that your horn is operational by giving a blast in a safe place where the noise won’t startle anyone.
Inspect the seats, making sure they lock in the correct positions. Give the seatbelts a quick tug to ensure they are fully functional.
Test the functionality of your braking system in a safe, no-traffic area.

Exterior

Test that your horn is operational by giving a blast in a safe place where the noise won’t startle anyone.
Inspect the seats, making sure they lock in the correct positions. Give the seatbelts a quick tug to ensure they are fully functional.
Test the functionality of your braking system in a safe, no-traffic area.

Our MOT Checklist

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You should view your approaching MOT as somewhat of an exam; if you don’t prepare, you might fail. But it doesn’t have to be a stressful event. Just a few simple checks could make the difference between an MOT- ready vehicle and a car that’s sure to fail. That’s why we’ve put together this essential MOT checklist, giving you the tools to accurately assess your car’s health before the big day.

Exterior

Make sure that your tyres are at the correct pressure and that they possess a tread depth of no less than 1.6 mm across 75% of the tyre surface. Also check for any wear and tear, and anything lodged that could be a puncture hazard.
It is imperative that all of your car lights are fully operational to pass your MOT. Additionally, they must all be the correct colour for their function, so check if any of the colour coatings have peeled away. To check your lights, park up against a reflective surface and test them or get a friend to help.
Windscreens should be in good condition as they influence the safety of your driving. The glass should have no chips or blemishes more than 10 mm in size when located in the driver’s line of sight, and they should be no more than 40 mm when located in the area that is swept by the wipers. The wipers themselves should not be damaged and the washer jets should not be blocked.
The main body of your car should also be in good health and should have little or no sign of corrosion, or sharp edges. The side mirrors should be firmly attached and not hanging loose – they should also not be so dirty that their use is impaired.
To comply with the law, your registration plates should be clear and easy to read, as well as being firmly affixed to the car.
Examine your exhaust pipes for any holes or signs of corrosion.

Interior

Your car horn is critical for motor safety, so you must check that it is operational by giving a test blast in a place where it won’t startle anyone.
Inspect the seats, and make sure that they lock in the correct positions, and give the seatbelts a quick tug to see if they are fully functional.
Test your braking system, ensuring that it’s in good order (preferably in a safe place, just in case it isn’t!).

Under the bonnet

Take a quick look at your car battery to check that it is held firmly in position and that there are no obvious cracks or leaks.

Before you go

It can be embarrassing to not have enough fuel in your car so that the test centre are unable to perform the tests they require, so always remember to fill your tank before you set off.
Try and have your brake fluid, oil and screen wash topped up beforehand.

Here at Tyres Northampton, we offer a broad spectrum of services examining, maintaining and improving the health of your car, including MOTs, vehicle servicing and tyre provision and installation. We provide our excellent customer service to the Northampton area and beyond, and have over 25 years’ experience in the industry. To find out more about us or to book one of our services, simply contact our team today who will be happy to help.