An MOT test is a yearly inspection that ensures your vehicle meets key safety and environmental standards.

In the UK, most cars over three years old are legally required to pass an MOT each year. The test helps keep you and other road users safe by making sure your car is roadworthy.

An MOT usually takes between 45 minutes and an hour, but if your car fails, it may need repairs that could take days or even weeks. While the test itself is affordable (capped at £54.85 for a standard vehicle), the cost can rise if your car requires fixing.

To avoid the hassle of a failed MOT, we’ve created the ultimate checklist to help you prepare your vehicle before taking it to the garage.

If you tend to forget your MOT due date, use our handy reminder tool to ensure your MOT never expires again.

Simple Pre-MOT Checks and Replacements

You can do several quick and easy checks before your MOT to reduce the likelihood of your car failing for minor issues. Here’s what to look for:

• - Windscreen: Check for cracks or chips. Any larger than 40mm on the passenger side or 10mm on the driver’s side will cause a fail.
• - Windscreen Wipers: Ensure your wiper blades aren’t splitting, and check that your windscreen washers aren’t blocked.
• - Lights: Verify that all your bulbs are working properly. This includes headlights, indicators, brake lights, hazard warning lights, fog lights, and the registration plate light. If any bulbs are dim, replace them.
• - Engine and Fuel Oil: Make sure your oil levels are adequate for the emissions test. The oil level should be between the minimum and maximum marks on your dipstick.
• - Tyres: Ensure your tyres are properly inflated and have at least 1.6mm tread depth on all four tyres.
• - Exhaust: Check that your exhaust isn’t rattling or producing unusually dark or strong-smelling fumes.
• - Brakes: Test that your brakes work effectively and that your car doesn’t lean to one side when braking. Don’t forget to check your handbrake too.
• - Mirrors: Ensure your mirrors are clean, undamaged, and securely attached.
• - Dashboard Lights: Test all dashboard warning lights by starting your car to ensure they work correctly.
• - Seatbelts: Verify that all seatbelts fasten securely and lock when pulled suddenly.
• - Horn: Your horn will be tested, so make sure it’s working before heading to the garage.

What Does an MOT Test Include?

While these pre-checks can help reduce your chances of failure, the official MOT test is far more thorough. Here’s what the mechanic will inspect:

• - Interior Checks: This includes your seats, seatbelts, brake controls, steering wheel, and speedometer.
• - Exterior Checks: This covers your lights, mirrors, tyres, shock absorbers, and the general condition of your car’s bodywork.
• - Under Bonnet Checks: The mechanic will inspect your car’s braking system, steering, power steering components, and suspension.
• - Under Vehicle Checks: This involves inspecting the fuel system, fuel tank, wheel bearings, wheels, tyres, and exhaust system.
• - Emissions Test: Your vehicle’s exhaust fumes will be analysed to check for harmful pollutants.

Common Reasons for MOT Failure

While there are many reasons why a vehicle might fail its MOT, some issues are more common than others. According to DVSA data, around 30% of MOT failures are due to lighting and signalling faults, which is why checking your bulbs and dashboard lights is so important.

Additionally, about 10% of failures are related to tyre problems, and 8.5% are caused by issues with mirrors, wipers, and washers—anything that could impair the driver’s view of the road.

Want to avoid common MOT fails? Check out our article on the top 10 MOT failures to watch out for.

What Are Advisory Notes?

Advisory notes are comments made by the mechanic about issues that were noticed during the MOT but weren’t serious enough to cause a failure. These notes are meant to alert you to potential problems that may need attention in the future.

Advisories might include things like early-stage corrosion, tyres nearing the legal tread limit, or worn brake pads. While these issues don’t pose an immediate danger, ignoring them could lead to a failure in your next MOT.