Complete this pre-test checklist to help your car pass an MOT first time
Ready to book your MOT? Before your appointment use our simple 10-point checklist to give your vehicle the best chance of passing first time. Book your MOT with Swansway for comprehensive MOT testing at locations across the UK.
Why choose Swansway for your MOT test?
Our expert certified technicians use state-of-the-art testing equipment to make sure that your car is in peak condition and that you’ll be safe on the road. With convenient locations from Birmingham to Carlisle, transparent pricing, and approved car parts, Swansway is the perfect choice for your MOT test.
Our online booking form is available 24/7 and makes it easy to get your MOT process started.
Pre-MOT Checklist: The ‘Minute or Two’ Check
Avoid being one of the 1.5 million preventable MOT failures each year with these simple checks.
Essential Checks Before Your MOT Appointment
- Headlights, Brake and Indicators Check:
Turn on all of the different light options on your car to check that they all work properly. The light should be bright and strong with no signs of flickering, and the light mounts should be secure with no wobbling.
Don’t forget to check your side lights, reversing light, hazard lights and your indicators. Ask a friend or neighbour to check that your brake lights are working when you press on the brake. Again, they should be bright and not flickering. If you don’t have a friend to hand, you can carefully reverse up to a reflective surface like a window and check your brake lights yourself.
- Number Plate:
Make sure that your number plate is clean and legible. Technically, it is illegal to have a dirty or obstructed number plate, as they must always be readable and visible to police and Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras, so give your number plate a quick wipe with a cloth before you hit the road. You can also fail your MOT if your number plate does not adhere to rules about characters and fonts. Check out our full list of ways that your licence plate could be breaking the law to make sure that you have the best chance of passing your MOT.
- Wheels and Tyres:
Check that your wheels and tyres are undamaged. The wheel arches should be clear of debris and the car should not be warped in any way around the wheels. Take a look at your tyres for any significant cuts or breaks, and inspect the sidewalls of the tyres for anything that could indicate structural issues.
You should regularly check your tyre pressure to keep your car running at its most efficient, but under-inflated tyres can also cause your car to fail its MOT.
The tread depth on your tyres needs to be at least 1.6mm around the centre of your tyre. Luckily, you can easily check this for yourself with a 20p. When you place a 20p piece in the tread of your tyre, the outer band of the coin should be covered by the rubber. Our dealerships can advice you on what type of tyre is best for your car, if you happen to need a replacement.
- Seats and Seatbelts:
The driver’s seat should adjust forwards and backwards freely and all seatbelts should be in good working order. Pull out all of the seatbelts to check for any damage and tug them sharply to make sure that the locking mechanism reacts appropriately.
- Windscreen:
Even minor damage to your windscreen can result in an automatic MOT failure, so it's essential to inspect it thoroughly before your test. Look at your front and back windscreens from both inside and outside, taking note of any chips, cracks or star-shaped damage. Pay special attention to the area directly in front of your steering wheel because there are smaller allowances for any damage here. Look for any spreading cracks that could develop into larger damage in cold weather and measure any damage that you see.
Any damage larger than 40mm will result in an MOT failure, and any damage wider than 10mm in the driving zone is also an automatic failure. Even if your damaged areas aren’t enough to make you fail your MOT, cracks can spread and even a small section of damage can cause an entire windscreen to need replacing if left untreated.
- Windscreen Wipers:
Windscreen wipers are essential for maintaining clear viability in all weather conditions, so faulty or damaged wipers can result in a failure. Make sure that your wipers effectively clear your windscreen without leaving unclean patches or streaks. Run through all the settings on your wipers to make sure that they’re all working properly with no juddering or jerky movements. Finally, check the rubber of your wipers for any damage or tears as torn, perished, or missing rubber will result in a failure.
- Screenwash:
This is perhaps one of the most preventable MOT failures! As with windscreen wipers, you must have adequate screenwash in your car to make sure that you can see effectively when driving. The washer system removes dirt, salt, or grime that may have built up on your windscreen and would severely impair your visibility. Make sure that your screenwash bottle is filled, and that the washers spray across your windscreen effectively. Never used plain water (as it can freeze), washing-up liquid (it can foam), or household cleaners (which may damage the rubber) instead of good quality screenwash.
- Horn:
You need to be able to make yourself known to others on the road when necessary, so give your horn a quick honk to make sure it’s working properly!
- Fuel and Engine Oil:
Your car needs to have adequate fuel and oil so that your mechanics can accurately check your car emissions, so make sure that you stop at the petrol station on the way!
To check your oil, make sure that your car is parked on a level surface and that the engine is cold. Remove the dipstick from your car, clean it on a rag or towel, and then place the dipstick back in the oilwell. This time when you remove the dipstick you should see a clear line showing the amount of oil in your car. This line should be between the ‘minimum’ and ‘maximum’ markers on the dipstick. If you need to fill up your oil, make sure to double check what type is needed for your vehicle as the wrong oil could cause damage.
- Mirrors:
Finally, check your mirrors for any cracks or damage. Your wing mirrors and rear view mirrors should all be adjustable and fixed securely in place. Any missing mirrors or damage that effects your view will result in your car failing an MOT test.
What to expect during your MOT at Swansway
Our professional inspections take about 45 minutes to complete. You’re welcome to wait around until the MOT is finished or leave your car with us and we’ll contact you when the test is complete. If your car has passed then you can come and collect it from us any time, and if it needs any work doing or retesting then our qualified testers and mechanics will talk you through any issues, costs, or how long work would take. For more information about our MOT testing, get in touch with us or find your nearest garage.
Book your MOT Test with Swansway today
Don’t wait until the last minute. Book your MOT test online now and ensure that your vehicle stays roadworthy and legal. With garages across the midlands and expert technicians, Swansway makes MOT testing convenient and reliable.