The MOT test is mandatory for vehicles that are more than three years old. So, you cannot drive your car without a valid MOT certificate after its third anniversary.

Cheap MOT Newbury is an annual test. Your MOT certificate is valid for only a year. After this period, you need a new certificate to drive your car legally on the roads.

If you are a new car driver and your MOT is due, you must read this helpful guide to enhance your knowledge about this essential test.

Have a look!

A brief overview

MOT or Ministry of Transport is a legal test that checks the roadworthiness of a vehicle. If the MOT technician is happy with the condition of your car, the center will provide a valid MOT Newbury certificate for one year. On the other hand, faults in the car will lead to a failed attempt.

When does your vehicle require an MOT?

You need to have a MOT certificate after your car celebrates its third anniversary. After the first test, the vehicle needs a retest every year.

You will get the certificate only when you clear the test. If you do not clear the test due to mechanical issues, you have to repair your car to get a retest or a full test.

How is MOT different from car service?

A car service includes regular checkups of a vehicle to fix minor and major issues in the system. Moreover, the mechanic takes certain steps to improve the overall performance and health condition of the vehicle.

On the other hand, a MOT technician checks a vehicle to check its roadworthiness. They do not wish to improve the condition of the vehicle.

In brief, a car service is necessary for the overall performance of a vehicle and the MOT test considers only safety aspects.

Can you drive your car without an MOT certificate?

The MOT test is a legal requirement. Therefore, you must have a valid certificate to drive your car. You cannot drive the vehicle on public roads if you do not have a certificate or you have an expired certificate.

This is a legal offense to drive a vehicle without valid certificate.

If you have booked a MOT and driving your car to reach the center, driving the vehicle is legal in this case.

When should you get your MOT?

A lot of garages are working as MOT centers across the country. You can easily locate a center with the help of the Internet. Visit a reputable and trusted garage for your first MOT test. It is not mandatory to visit the same center every year. You can change the center according to your comfort and preferences.

How long does the test take?

After bringing your car to the center, you have to wait for at least 45 minutes to one hour. You will get your vehicle back soon if it has no mechanical faults. On the other hand, you must repair the faults if your car has major problems. In this case, you have to wait until you do not get your car back.

What if your vehicle fails its test?

According to the guidelines of MOT, your car will fail its test if it has major or dangerous faults. You will get a refusal of an MOT certificate after the failure of the test.

You can repair the faults with the help of the original center. If your car has the repair work on the same day, you can have a partial retest.

If you repair the faults within 10 working days, you can still have a retest.

If your mechanic repairs the vehicle after 10 working days, you must have a full test will a full fee.

What are advisory notes?

If your car is safe to drive on roads, you will get the certificate without an advisory note.

Sometimes, your car has minor faults that are not risky but in the future, they can cause safety issues. You will get an advisory note in this condition. According to the note, you must address the minor faults carefully.

What should you check before the MOT test?

You can increase your chances of success in the test if you check your car before the test.

You can take the following steps to check your car before the test!

MOT testers like a clean car from both inside and outside. So, you can start your preparation plan with cleaning your car and making it clutter-free.

Clean the number plate because the visibility of the number plate can be a prime concern for an MOT technician.

Checking tyres is not tough and you do not need a technician for this task. Check your car tyres for signs like bulges, cracks, and tread wear. Moreover, check the air pressure in tyres as well.

Check the lights, seats, seatbelts, horn, windows, and doors of your vehicle for their functions.

Check windscreen wipers for proper driver’s visibility.

Check the Wheel Alignment Newbury before you visit the MOT center. However, wheel alignment is not a part of MOT but the technician will check your tyres for proper tread depth. Wheel alignment is a common reason for uneven tread wear. Therefore, you must consider wheel alignment to save your tyres from issues like tread wear.