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It’s something every car owner has to pay for each year, but do you really know what happens during your vehicle’s MOT Test?

Everyone who uses a vehicle on the road is required to keep it in a roadworthy condition. The first MOT test for a vehicle is required when it’s three years old, and thereafter it is required on an annual basis. This article will summarise the main areas that are covered in the MOT Test.

The Ministry of Transport test, known as an MOT is an annual test of automobile safety, roadworthiness aspects and exhaust emissions which are applicable to most vehicles over three years old in the United Kingdom if they are used on public roads. Vehicles that pass their MOT Test will be issued with an MOT certificate, which confirms that, at the time of the test, without dismantling it, the vehicle met the minimum acceptable environmental and road safety standards required by law. It is not a guarantee that the vehicle will be roadworthy for the length of time the certificate is valid. The MOT Test doesn’t cover the mechanical condition of the vehicle, including the engine, clutch or gearbox.  Currently, MOT test certificates are issued in Great Britain by the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA), an agency within the Department for Transport.

What is covered in your vehicle’s MOT Test:

Testers will check that the vehicle’s body and structure is free from excessive corrosion or damage in specific areas, and that there are no sharp edges anywhere that could cause injury. They will also check that there are no leaks in the fuel system, and that the fuel cap fastens and seals securely. The exhaust system will need to be secure, complete, without serious leaks and to silence effectively. The vehicle will need to meet requirements for exhaust emissions, dependant on the age and fuel type of the vehicle. Testers will also look at the seat belts to check their type, condition, operation and security, and that all compulsory seat belts are in place. The front seats will be checked to ensure they are secure, and both the front and rear seats will be checked that they can be secured in the upright position.

Other components that will be checked include the doors, mirrors, brakes, tyres, wheels, registration plates, lights, wipers and washers, windscreen, horn, steering, suspension and the vehicle identification number (VIN).

Interestingly, official figures have revealed that some of the country’s most popular cars and vans are more likely to fail their first MOT test than others. The Ford Transit Connect, a favourite mode of transport for the White Van Man, had the highest failure rate at 30.5 per cent. The worst performing car was the renault megane west sussex”>Renault Megane, which fails 28.1 per cent of the time. The best performing car was the Toyota Corolla, which had a failure rate of 11.2 per cent.

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