MOT – our top tips that take minutes to carry out and can help you avoid the fail

Your car is going for its annual MOT and you are crossing everything that it passes – and you’re not the only one.

Surprising statistics from renowned Haynes workshop manuals say that 40-50% of cars and vans fail there MOT first time – but not down to anything major, rather simple things that could have been checked before and so the fail avoided.

-     Tyres

You need to check that all tyres are above the legal minimum limit which is a tread depth of 1.6mm across ¾ of the tyre’s width. You need to also look for any damage, splits or bulges as they could also cause a fail.

-     Lights

Make sure that all lights are working and change any bulbs required. The full list for checking is:

· Headlights – main and dipped

· Sidelights – front and rear

· Indicators – front rear and side repeaters

· Brake lights

· Number plate

· Reverse light

· Fog lights – front and rear

· Hazards

-     Windscreen and wipers

The guidelines on windscreen chips and cracks state that anything over 10mm and within the driver’s line of sight (diameter of the steering wheel) will lead to a fail. Outside of the line of sight chips or cracks can typically get through the MOT as long as they are less than 40mm.

-     Number plate

It is now part of the MOT check that number plates are in the correct format. As well as being lit and un-obscured the design, lettering and spacing needs to be right too – so no more moving spaces to resemble private plates. If you number plate has been supplied from a registered supplier you will be OK, if anything looks different about it its worth getting it checked s it’s a cheap and easy fix.

-     Oils and fluids

Make sure that all of your fluids are topped up – it is something you should do regularly anyway but especially before MOT. That includes:

· Engine oil

· Transmission / gearbox oil

· Antifreeze and coolants

· Brake fluids

· Power steering fluids

Our top tip is to run an engine treatment through before testing as well as it can often clear any potential blockages and issues and even switch off warning lights.