Figures show that blown bulbs account for almost 20% of failures
Worn tyres account for a further 11%
New electronic display guidelines could increase fail rates
When you think about it, car maintenance really should be done regularly – but we are all guilty of leaving checks until the days before our MOT test is due! Ideally, car checks should be carried out on a weekly or monthly basis so any problems can be nipped in the bud, but sometimes checking to see that a bulb is still working doesn’t always cross our minds.
However, recent figures suggest that it should cross our minds more, since around 20% of cars fail an MOT due to a faulty bulb. Tyre problems also make up 11% of fails – that’s nearly one-third of cars failing an MOT due to problems that can be spotted simply by looking at the car.
However, recent figures suggest that it should cross our minds more, since around 20% of cars fail an MOT due to a faulty bulb. Tyre problems also make up 11% of fails – that’s nearly one-third of cars failing an MOT due to problems that can be spotted simply by looking at the car.
Electronic Display Guidelines
New guidelines regarding a car’s electronic display have been effective since April 2012 and may have gone unnoticed, but can result in an instant fail – even if they are illuminated without reason. The main things to watch out for are:
- Headlight main beam warning light
- Brake fluid level warning light
- Tyre pressure monitoring system warning light
- Airbag warning light
- Electronic power steering warning light
- Seat belt pre-tensioner warning light
Easy MOT Checks
There are some really easy and quick checks that you can do to make sure that you give your car the best chance of passing the MOT, saving you time, money and worry:
1. Foot pedals – do the accelerator and foot brake feel spongy when pressed? Do they seem to spring up quickly when released?
2. Handbrake – check that the handbrake can be applied fully before reaching the end of its travel.
3. Steering wheel – check that the wheel and column do not have any cracks or damage, and that the wheel does not suffer from excessive play.
4. Lights – check that all exterior lights are working. Make sure to check all of the lights:
- Headlights
- Sidelights
- Indicators
- Brake lights
- Number plate lights
- Hazard lights – these are on a separate circuit to the indicators, so check these independently.
- Rear fog lights
5. Tyres and wheels – check that the tyre tread is above the legal requirement of 1.6mmaround the central 75% of the tyre. Check that the front tyres are the same size, and that the rear tyres are the same size but tyres can be different sizes between front and rear. Check that the wheels themselves are not damaged, and that there are no missing nuts. A spare tyre is exempt from the MOT.
6. Windscreen, washers and wipers – check that there are no chips or scratches bigger than 10mm in the driver’s line of sight (roughly the width of the steering wheel), or bigger than 40mm in the swept area of the windscreen. Check wiper blades along their entire length, and replace any that are worn or split. Washer jets should be working correctly – only front jets will be tested. If they are not working, try unblocking them with a pin. Top up the screenwash before the MOT so that the jets and wipers can be tested properly.
7. Bodywork – cosmetic rust won’t fail an MOT, but rust can cause an issue if it is in danger of weakening the car’s structure. Any projections from the car will be an automatic fail as they can be a danger to other road users or pedestrians – duct tape will get you through the MOT temporarily. Inside, seatbelts should not be worn or frayed, and fasten securely. Number plates must be visible, so you might want to consider washing the car before the MOT!
8. Mirrors – check that all mirrors are clean and undamaged. Mirror stickers over broken or cracked mirrors are acceptable, as long as they are secure.
9. Doors – ensure all doors open and close from inside and out. The boot must also close and fasten securely. It might be a good idea to clear your boot out before taking the car for its MOT.
Servicing
It is advisable to book your car in for a service regularly too. It’s not just a ploy by the manufacturers: regular servicing is really important to keep your car in top condition.
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