Easy MOT testing for your vehicle: A basic guide to understanding the MOT.

 In the UK, being a vehicle owner means having each and every of your documents updated regularly. Every car in the UK is required to have some major documents such as: a driving licence, a vehicle registration certificate, a tax certificate, a car insurance, and an MOT. Among these, the MOT is a crucial document ensuring your car’s roadworthiness and safety. Considering the statistics, the number of MOT tests conducted in a year, in the UK, is around 40 million. This number represents the importance of this test. Since, driving a car with a failed MOT test means you could be punished or fined legally, it is essential to service your car regularly. Regular car servicing Fulham ensures your car is well-conditioned, and has a greater chance of passing the MOT test. You could be wondering: why is regular servicing emphasised for the MOT? For a better understanding of the MOT test, and the importance of car servicing, continue reading our article. 

 

What is the MOT? 

 

MOT is the short form, standing for Ministry of Transport, the government department that started this test. The test is standard for testing vehicle safety, exhaust emissions and roadworthiness. This car safety test is highly significant for all vehicles in the UK, especially if your car has crossed three years of its anniversary. Without a valid MOT certificate for your car you can be punished for breaking the law. 

 

The Ministry of Transport, now known as the Department for Transport, controls the transport network of the state, including vehicle emissions, and the future of transport and transport related security as well as civil matters. The MOT certificate, necessary for your vehicle, is issued by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). 

 

What does the MOT test generally include? 

 

The MOT Fulham is an extensive test, inspecting and examining every small part of your vehicle. On its introduction, the MOT tested only 20 parts. However, it has been extended to cover every minor and major parts and components of a vehicle. For a greater awareness regarding your car’s MOT and which parts of it are usually tested, you can follow the table below: 

 

Interior Checks	Exterior Checks	Under-bonnet Checks	Under-vehicle Checks
Warning lamps	Registration plates	Vehicle structure	Wheel bearings
Seat and seat belts	Lamps, stop lamps, fog lamps	Steering and power steering components	Steering including power steering
Switches	Indicators, hazards	Speed limiter	Drive shafts
Wipers and washers	Doors, bonnet, bootlid, loading doors	Exhaust system, fuel system	Exhaust system, fuel system and fuel tank
Brake controls	Shock absorbers	Braking system	Brake systems
Steering wheel	Wheels, tyres	Suspension parts	Wheels and tyres
Doors, mirrors, view to front	Mirrors, wiper blades, fuel tank cap		Mechanical components
Speedometer (class 5 only)	Glazing (class 5 only)		Suspension, shock absorbers
Driver control (class 5 only)	Headlamps and aims		Structure and general vehicle check
Horn	Towbars
Servo operation	Overall body check

 

There are some exemptions to an MOT test. Your car’s clutch, gearbox, and engine are not tested during an MOT. Besides, cars that are less than 3 years of age are covered under warranty, and therefore exempted from the MOT. Another exemption applies for classic cars manufactured 40 years ago, provided they have not been “substantially changed”. 

 

What does ‘class’ mean during an MOT test? 

 

Since the MOT is a comprehensive test and includes all vehicles in the UK, the testing has been categorised. This means the varied types of vehicles are differentiated into classes, for efficient testing. Before taking your vehicle for its MOT Fulham, you need recognise the class of vehicle it belongs to: 

 

• L2 Vehicle: Three-wheeled or moped vehicle with maximum speed of 45 km/h and spark ignition engine of 50cc. 
• L5 Vehicle: Three-wheeled vehicle with speed greater than 45 km/h and more than 50cc. 
• L6 Vehicle: Four-wheeled and light vehicle- maximum speed of 45 km/h, spark ignition engine of 50cc max, and unladen mass of 350 kg. 
• L7 Vehicle: Quadricycle- maximum unladen mass of 400 or 550 kg. 
• M1 Vehicle: Dual-purpose vehicles, motor caravans, ambulances, and passenger cars, excluding quadricycles- 4 or more wheels, and passenger seats no more than 8. 
• M2 Vehicle: Ambulances, Dual-purpose vehicles, motor caravans- 4 or more wheels, passenger seats more than 8, and maximum 5000 kg design gross weight (DGW). 
• M3 Vehicle: 4 or more wheels, more than 8 passenger seats, and maximum DGW of more than 5000 kg. 
• N1 Vehicle: Dual-purpose vehicles- 4 or more wheels for carrying goods, maximum DGW not more than 3500 kg. 

 

Now that you have the basic information regarding MOT tests and what it includes, you must be wondering about a most frequently asked question: 

 

Why is regular car servicing important for the MOT? 

 

The MOT is a rigorous test for your car’s safety standards. Minor issues could result in a failure of your car’s MOT test. This is why our technicians recommend servicing your vehicle regularly. Regular car servicing ensures every potential safety hazard is diagnosed early and fixed accordingly. For instance, dirty cars, untopped windscreen wash, and faulty registration plates are some of the common causes of a MOT failure. This could be prevented easily with regular car servicing and maintenance. Investing in a car servicing Fulham before the MOT could reduce your risks of failure. 

 

Getting your MOT certificate annually becomes an overbearing task for vehicle owners and drivers. However, with our easy MOT guides, efficient MOT testing, and comprehensive car services, you can enjoy a relaxed drive without worrying about your car’s MOT.