Around a third of cars fail their MOT the first time, and many of those failures are for small things you could have spotted at home. These checks take about 15 minutes and need no tools.
Outside the car
- Lights: switch on every light, including indicators, brake lights, fog lights and the number plate light. Ask someone to stand behind the car while you press the brake.
- Tyres: tread must be at least 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre. A 20p coin is a quick test — if you can see the outer band, the tread is getting low.
- Tyre damage: look for cuts, bulges or cords showing on the sidewalls.
- Number plates: clean, readable, correctly spaced and securely fixed.
- Wipers and washers: blades should clear the screen without smearing, and the washer bottle should be full.
- Windscreen: chips or cracks larger than 10mm in the driver's line of sight are a fail.
Inside the car
- Warning lights: engine, ABS, airbag and brake warning lights must go out once the engine is running.
- Horn: one steady sound that's loud enough to be heard.
- Seatbelts: pull each belt sharply. It should lock, and the buckle should latch and release cleanly.
- Mirrors: all present, secure and not cracked.
- Doors: every door must open and close from inside and outside.
- Fluids: top up the screen wash, and check the oil and brake fluid levels. A car can be refused a test if it's low on oil.
Not sure about something?
Ask us for a free pre-MOT check when you book. If your car does fail, we'll explain why in plain English, quote before any work, and your retest is free.