Essential Pre-MOT Checks You Can Perform Yourself
An MOT test is indeed a stressful period for most vehicle owners when the various parts of the vehicle will be checked; one part's failure can fail the entire MOT. Avoid disappointment with costly repercussions that come along with failed tests; therefore, to prepare for your own pre-MOT, do some checks. By doing checks on the vehicle weeks before the impending inspection, one will identify and correct any issues giving the vehicle a head start in passing the MOT Test Wrexham.
The Importance of a Pre-MOT Checklist
Correctly designed pre-MOT checklist serves as your best friend regarding bringing your car up to required standards. Most of the common reasons behind MOT failure are areas that can easily be checked at home. Here is an excellent checklist that you can prepare with:
1. Lights
Lighting systems in cars are very important for safe driving in addition to the successful passing of the MOT test. All lights must function correctly. They include:
- Front lights: Check whether the submerged and elevated beams work fine.
- Sidelight: Check whether this properly illuminates when switched on.
- Indicators: Test to check if it blinks appropriately; Brightness: Rated from dim to bright.
- Brake Light: You may need a friend to confirm this for you, or you could back right up against a wall and see where the reflection hits.
- Number Plate Light: this is often not thought of but is critical for passing the MOT.
2. Tyres
Tyres Inspection For MOT: These are among the biggest causes for failures in an MOT test and hence, require a thorough check. Here is what you should be looking for:
- Pressure: Inflated at the correct pressure, which is usually found in the vehicle handbook for reference.
- Tread Depth: The legal limits for tread depth are a minimum of 1.6 mm. Test with a 20p coin by inserting it into the tread; if some of the outer band is visible, your tread is too shallow.
3. Mirrors
MOT checks include mirrors, and these are some of the things to be checked:
- Mirrors: Unbroken and Fastened-carried: In addition to cracks, see to it that the mirrors are also well attached.
- Replacement sources: If you really need to replace any damaged mirror, please be specific with respect to the make and model. Avoid self-stick types; they tend not to last very long.
4. Fluid Levels
Checking the fluid levels in your vehicle is critical as the quantities may influence the performance of the vehicle during the MOT test.
- Oil Levels: For checking oil, take off the dipstick, wipe it, put it inside again, and then draw it again. The minimum and maximum marks should contain the oil level within them. Always check while the vehicle is parked on level ground.
- Coolant and Brake Fluid: Ensure the levels of both, coolant and brake fluid, are right as having low levels can lead to problems in performance.
5. Brakes
Evaluate condition: your brake system is for safety. Here is a way to do it:
- Braking Performance: If your car drifts to the side when your brakes are applied, it indicates that there is some fault that requires attention.
- Visual Inspection: If you have alloy wheels, then it is possible to have a cursory inspection of brake pads and discs without having to remove the wheels. Look for excessive wear or pitting.
- Handbrake Test: The handbrake should be able to keep your car in place, especially on an incline using the handbrake test. A feeble handbrake could result in a failed free MOT.
6. Windscreen and Wipers
Thorough checks on the windscreen and wipers are to be considered to ensure visibility before driving about. The checks include the following:
- Condition of Windscreens: Look out for cracks or chips that may impair visibility. In case those occur but provide excessive faults, it might be advisable to repair or change them.
- Wiper Blades: Ensure your wiper blades are still new and can clear water without streaking. Replace them before the test if worn or damaged.
7. Taking care of the interior parts of your vehicle makes it ready for MOT. Here are the important inspection sections:
- Seatbelts: The seatbelts are supposed to be secured and in good conditions. Make a sharp pull on each seat belt and check whether they lock properly.
- Horn Functionality: While taking your car for the MOT testing, you are going to be tested on the horn. Before that, give it a little honk to check if it can be heard by other road users.
- Warning Lights: It should also go without saying that all the warning lights on your dashboard light up as you start the car and switch off once you are moving. All those which do not switch off should have reported to be looked into ahead of the MOT.
8. Additional Checks
That said, here are a few other checks that could be taken into consideration to prepare your vehicle as best as possible:
- Fuel Levels: Assure sufficient fuel for completing the emission tests during the MOT.
- Body Condition: Inspect the body for major damages or indications of rust that might raise concerns during the inspection.
- Number Plates: Ensure your number plates are clear, visible, and correctly attached to the vehicle.
Thorough checks before the MOT could considerably increase the chances of passing your car through an inspection. Not only does this prevent you from getting disappointed by an unsuccessful test and Car Repair wrexham in your vehicle but most importantly, it keeps your vehicle in a safe and roadworthy condition .
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