How To Be Ready For An MOT Test?

 If you are planning on going for an MOT anytime soon, then we suggest first making sure that your vehicle can pass the test. Although MOT is held annually and is a mandatory inspection, it is not something that can be passed willy-nilly. In fact, it is one of the most comprehensive inspections of a vehicle that is in place to ensure that every car that is at least three years old from the day of its registration is actually roadworthy and fit for driving. So, the test ensures your safety and your car’s impact on the environment. This begs the question: how do you prepare for an MOT Park Royal? Well, if you want, we have listed a few tips you can follow to improve your chances of passing the test. All you have to do is give this guide a read and then prepare for an MOT accordingly.

Do A Pre-MOT Check

The first thing you can do when preparing your car for the upcoming MOT is run a checklist to ensure some of the not-so-obvious things are working fine. We know that most people can easily keep an eye on the big things that stand out, components that can be a potential problem, but what about the little issues that you might not even consider? So, before heading for an MOT, do the following:

• Check if your horn is working. 
• Ensure that your windscreen is not damaged and that there is no crack in the driver’s line of sight. 
• You should also give your wipers a quick look and ensure that they are functional.
• Inspect the wipers thoroughly and check if they have intact rubber. If not, you might need to replace them before the MOT. 
• Give your seatbelts a tug and check for any signs of wear and tear.
• Try to move your car seats front and backwards and make sure they are not a safety hazard.
• Open all the doors and windows on your car and see if they are functional. 
• Check your tow bar to see if it is in optimal shape. 

Inspect Your Tyres

Now, understand that tyres play a huge role in your car’s safety and performance. As such, it's a given that they will be checked when you go for an MOT. Thus, to pass the test, you have to ensure the following:

• Your tyres should be in optimal condition, there should be no physical signs of damage, such as cuts, cracks, scrapes, bulges, etc.
• Tyres also have to be properly inflated, as per the manufacturer’s recommendation.
• Even the spare tyre has to adhere to these instructions and remain in good shape for you to pass the test. 
• Finally, you have to ensure that your tyre tread is not worn out. Your tyres have to maintain a tread depth of 1.6 mm or more; otherwise, forget MOT, and you can even get fined up to £2500.

Make Sure Your Car Lights Are Working

If you want to pass the MOT test, then you have to make sure that your car lights are working fine, and this includes all the lights in your vehicle, such as the headlights, taillights, brake lights, indicators, fog lights, and cabin lights as well. So, you have to:

• Make sure that all the bulbs are functional
• There is no problem with the wiring
• The glass is not foggy

Try Your Brakes Beforehand

We don't have to highlight the importance of your car brakes for you to understand how important they can be for your MOT test. As such, you should check your brakes beforehand and make sure of the following:

• All the components of your brakes, be it the pedal, rotors, pads, callipers, etc., are functional, and they are not worn out. 
• Check your braking system for any signs of damage, including leakage.
• Go through your bonnet to ensure that your brake fluids are sufficiently topped up.
• Inspect your handbrakes.

Inspect Your Steering

You also have to make sure that your car can run properly on the road, and this requires it to remain under control while being stable. As such, your steering plays a larger part in ensuring your safety and your car’s handling. Thus, it is given that your steering system will also be inspected during the MOT test. To pass the test, you have to make sure that your steering wheel is tightly mounted and that there are no undue vibrations when you drive. You can also improve your chances of passing the test by going for a car service beforehand, as checking your steering on your own is rather difficult. 

Check Your Suspension System

Just like your steering, it's best that you head to an auto repair shop to ensure that nothing is wrong with the suspension system of your car. Although you can do a visible inspection of the shock absorbers, it's still best to trust in the judgment of a professional, especially when any problem with the suspension can easily lead to an MOT failure. Other than professional help, you can still do a little on your own, such as checking the suspension system for leakage or any signs of damage. 

Ensure That Your Emission Levels Are Within the Parameters

Lastly, you should try to ensure that your emission levels are within the prescribed limits. Again, there is no easy way to do this, other than going to a car service, but nonetheless, you need to pass the MOT test. As such, you should make sure that your exhaust system shows no signs of damage, and the smoke emitted is not darker.