MOT Test Checklist

The MOT test is a safety inspection of your vehicle and it is a legal requirement that it is undertaken annually once a vehicle reaches three years of age.

The DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency) have specific conditions that the vehicle must pass in order for it to be deemed road and environmentally safe.

Find out what is inspected during the MOT test here:

What is Checked

Car Interior

Seats and Seatbelts

• The driver’s seat needs to be fully adjustable and lock in to place
• All seatbelts should be in good condition and operate correctly – during the test, the length of the seatbelt will be checked for damage

Mirrors

• All mirrors must be in place and secure
• Rear view and wing mirrors must provide adequate views of the road
• The mirrors must not be cracked or damaged in a way which impairs the drivers view

Horn

• The horn must be in working order and loud enough to attract attention from other motorists

Speedometer

• The speedometer needs to work correctly and be accurate
• It is ok if the glass is cracked as long as the driver is able to read the speed with ease

Car Exterior

Lights

All lights (front, rear, brake, indicators, rear reflectors, fog and registration plate) must:

• Be in correct working order – make sure to replace any broken bulbs before the test
• Be in the correct position
• Be secure
• Not be obscured
• Show the correct colour

Windows and Wipers

• The drivers view will be checked so you must have any cracks or damages on the windscreen repaired in order to pass the MOT test. The rule is that any damage larger than 40mm on the windscreen, or 10mm in the swept area (pictured) will be deemed an obstruction and the vehicle will fail.
• Windscreen wipers, front and rear, must operate correctly and not be damaged
• Wiper fluid container should not be empty

Tyres & Wheels

• Wheels will be inspected for cracks, damage and distortion
• Tyres must all be the correct size and match each other in structure and they will be inspected for any visual signs of damage
• Tyres must have sufficient tread depth, which is minimum 1.6mm
• Tyres must be inflated to the correct pressures

Body

• The body of the vehicle should be free from excessive damage or corrosion, it will fail if there are sharp edges that may cause injury to other vehicles or people

Doors

• All doors must latch securely in a closed position
• Rear doors must be able to be opened from the outside
• Front doors must open from both the outside and inside
• The boot and bonnet need to close securely

Registration Plates

• Front and back registration plates need to be secured properly to the car
• It is important that the plates are not obscured by damage or dirt
• Customised registration plates which do not follow standard formatting could lead to an MOT test fail

Car Engine

Brakes

• A brake performance test will be carried out to test the overall condition of the brakes, pedals and levers
• The brake lights and relevant dashboard symbols will also be checked

Steering & Suspension

• Your steering system must not show signs of damage or corrosion
• Your steering wheel must only lock when the car is turned off
• Suspension systems will be checked for excessive damage

Fuel System

• There must be no leaks in the fuel system and you must have a fully locking fuel cap
• The exhaust must be complete and it will be checked for any leaks, corrosion and damage
• The noise levels of the exhaust will be examined
• Exhaust emissions must meet legal specifications

Battery

• Your car battery and all electrical wiring will be checked for functionality and condition

For more information on the MOT test contact your local PTA Garage Services branch where our technicians will be able to answer any further questions you may have.

Find out what is checked in the Class 7 MOT here.

You can book your next MOT online at your local PTA Garage Services branch here.