When it comes to getting your car ready for its MOT, a little preparation can go a long way. Every year, thousands of UK vehicles fail their MOTs on issues that could have been sorted at home in a matter of minutes.
On average, pre-MOT checks can save you anywhere between £20 – £100, so it is well worth your time spending a few minutes getting your vehicle MOT ready – whether it’s changing a few bulbs, checking your tyre pressure and topping up fluids.
Why pre-MOT checks matter
The annual MOT test ensures your vehicle meets minimum road safety and environmental standards. If your vehicle fails, you will need to fix any flagged issues before it can legally be driven.
Most of these failures are caused by minor faults.
According to the DVSA data, the most common reasons for failure include:
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Faulty lights and signaling equipment
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Worn or underinflated tyres
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Poor visibility
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Low fluid levels
These are all things you can check, and fix, yourself before you get to your MOT test.
Check and replace faulty bulbs
Blown bulbs are one of the most common MOT failures, accounting for 11% of total failures. However, it's also one of the easiest to fix!
Before your test, check:
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Headlights (main and dipped beams)
To make life easier, ask someone to help check your lights or park near a reflective surface so you can see what is and isn’t working.
Top up essential fluids
Low fluid levels won't always cause a failure on their own, but they do contribute to potentially serious issues.
So, before your MOT, check and top up:
Check wiper blades
Wipers must clear the windscreen effectively. If they smear, squeak or leave streaks, they could be marked as defective.
Replacing wiper blades takes minutes and is inexpensive. Plus, they’re essential for keeping you safe when the weather takes a turn for the worse, so well worth the effort!
Inspect your number plate
Make sure that your number plates:
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Are clean and clearly readable.
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Have no cracks or significant damage.
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Use the correct spacing and font.
If your license plate is looking a little worse for wear, you can get yourself a replacement number plate at Arnold Clark Autoparts.
The real cost of not checking
Failing your MOT can mean:
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Paying for repairs you didn’t budget for.
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Potential retest fees.
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Rearranging your schedule.
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Being unable to legally drive your car.
In contrast, spending 20 – 30 minutes doing basic checks could save you significant time and money.
Final thoughts
An MOT doesn’t have to be stressful. A quick pre-check at home and some easy fixes can make the difference between a smooth pass and an unexpected bill.
