There are different MOT inspection manuals for
•motorcycles,
•heavy goods vehicles
•public service vehicles.
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Definitions, vehicle classes, reasons to refuse to test a vehicle, narrow track vehicles, historic vehicles and inspection procedures for car and passenger vehicle MOT tests.
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Registration plate (number plate) and vehicle identification number rules and inspection for car and passenger vehicle MOT tests.
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Brake condition and operation, service brakes, secondary brakes, parking brakes, anti-lock braking system (ABS), electronic braking system (EBS) and brake fluid rules and inspection for car and passenger vehicle MOT tests.
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Mechanical condition, steering wheel and column or handlebar, forks and yokes, steering play and electronic power steering (EPS) rules and inspection for car and passenger vehicle MOT tests.
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Field of vision, bonnet catches, condition of the glass, the view to the rear, windscreen wipers and windscreen washer rules and inspection for car and passenger vehicle MOT tests.
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Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment
Headlamp, position lamps, daytime running lamps, stop lamps, indicators, hazard warning lamps, fog lamps, reversing lamps, lighting ‘tell-tales’, trailer electrical socket, electrical wiring and battery rules and inspection for car and passenger vehicle MOT tests.
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Axles, wheels, tyres and suspension
Axle, wheel bearing, wheel and tyres, tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS), and suspension (including springs, shock absorbers, and suspension arms and joints) rules and inspection for car and passenger vehicle MOT tests.
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Body, structure and attachments
Structure and attachments (including exhaust system and bumpers), and body and interior (including doors and catches, seats and floor) rules and inspection for car and passenger vehicle MOT tests.
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Seat belts and restraint systems, airbags, anti-theft devices, horn, speedometer, speed limiter and electronic stability control (ESC) rules and inspection for car and passenger vehicle MOT tests.
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Noise, exhaust emissions, engine malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) (sometimes called an engine management light or 'EML'), and fluid leak rules and inspection for car and passenger vehicle MOT tests.
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Supplementary tests for buses and coaches
Entrance and exit doors, emergency exits, passenger grab handles, steps and stair rules and inspection for bus and coach MOT tests.
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Seat belt installation rules and inspection for vehicles fitted with more than 8 passenger seats and first used before 1 October 2001.
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Appendix A: Structural integrity and corrosion
Assessing corrosion and methods of repair for car and passenger vehicle MOT tests.
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Appendix B: Tyre load index tables
Tyre load rating and exceptions, and tyre load index tables for single wheel and dual wheel configurations for car and passenger vehicle MOT tests.
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Appendix C: Seat belt fitment tables
Seat belt fitment requirements and tables.
The MOT test checks that your vehicle meets road safety and environmental standards.
You must get an MOT for your vehicle by either:
- the third anniversary of its registration
- the anniversary of its last MOT, if it’s over 3 years old
Some vehicles need to be tested at one year old - check the MOT fees table to see which.
Check your MOT history to see when your vehicle’s MOT expires.
❶ If your tax is due to run out, register your vehicle as ‘off the road’ - you cannot renew your vehicle tax if your MOT has expired.
❷ Book an MOT test.
❸ Tax your vehicle once it has passed its MOT.
You cannot drive or park your vehicle on the road if the MOT has run out. You can be prosecuted if caught.
The only exceptions are to drive it:
- to or from somewhere to be repaired
- to a pre-arranged MOT test
An MOT lasts for a year.
To find out when it runs out you can either:
- check your MOT history online
- check the date that’s printed on your current MOT certificate, if you have one
You can sign up to get reminders that your MOT is due.
You can be fined up to £1,000 for driving a vehicle without a valid MOT.
You can get an MOT up to a month (minus a day) before it runs out and keep the same renewal date.
Example
If your MOT runs out on 15 May, the earliest you can get an MOT to keep the same renewal date for next year is 16 April.
You can get an MOT earlier, but the renewal date for the following year will change to one year (minus a day) from the date the vehicle last passed its MOT.
Example
Your MOT is due to run out on 15 May, so the earliest you can get it done is 16 April. However, you take your vehicle for its MOT on 14 April and it passes. This means that the MOT expiry date changes to 13 April the following year.
During the MOT, important parts on your vehicle will be checked to make sure they meet the legal standards.
You can watch the test from a viewing area but you’re not allowed to interrupt the tester.
Parts that are tested:
You can read more about:
The test does not cover the condition of the engine, clutch or gearbox.
Your vehicle can either pass or fail the MOT.
Passing the MOT
If your vehicle passes, your result will be recorded in the MOT database.
You can:
- check your MOT history to see the result online
- ask the test centre to give you a printed MOT certificate
You might also get a list of ‘minor’ or ‘advisory’ problems to monitor or fix in the future.
Failing the MOT
Your vehicle will fail if the test result lists ‘dangerous’ or ‘major’ problems with your vehicle. You might not be allowed to drive until you fix the problems.
You might also get a list of ‘minor’ or ‘advisory’ problems to monitor or fix in the future.
If your vehicle fails, your result will be recorded in the MOT database.
You can:
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get a ‘refusal of an MOT test certificate’ from the test centre
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check your MOT history to see the result online
You can appeal the result if you think it’s wrong.
Driving a vehicle that’s failed
You can take your vehicle away if:
- your current MOT is still valid
- no ‘dangerous’ problems were listed in the MOT
Otherwise, you’ll need to get it repaired before you can drive.
If you can take your vehicle away, it must still meet the minimum standards of roadworthiness at all times.
You can be fined up to £2,500, be banned from driving and get 3 penalty points for driving a vehicle that has failed its MOT because of a ‘dangerous’ problem.
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MOT stands for Ministry of Transport. This was the government department responsible for checking vehicle roadworthiness when the test was introduced in 1960. Looking for a reliable garage in and around Airedale, then look no further. From the same award-winning Social Enterprise Airedale Computers, Airedale Car Clinic offers a range of car servicing, repairs, and MOTs. With all profits being donated back to local communities. |
