Key Importance of MOT and Car Servicing That Every Driver Must Know

As a car owner in the UK, you are expected to act responsibly on the road. It is important to ensure that the vehicle is safe, meets all legal requirements, and is roadworthy. This is why one should know the importance of MOT test West Bromwich and regular car servicing. Both of them are extremely concerned about the safety and performance of the car. Although MOT tests and car servicing might be related, they have different characteristics. Let us first understand the MOT test.

What Is an MOT (Ministry of Transport) Test?

Any vehicle that has crossed the age of 3 years needs to have a valid MOT certificate. It is an annual requirement where the car is thoroughly inspected based on many parameters. Failure to obtain the MOT certificate would result in a heavy penalty and could even invalidate the car’s insurance policy. The two important objectives of the MOT test are to make sure that the car is compliant with the set environmental standards and is safe to be driven on the road.

 A certified MOT tester inspects various parts such as brakes, seat belts, tyres, lights, exhaust and emissions, steering, suspension, body structure, and other important elements. One has to note that the MOT test falls under a legal requirement for every car owner in the UK. The police use automatic number plate recognition cameras that can scan registration plates of vehicles and cross-check them against their MOT database.

Importance of Car Servicing

The only way to maintain your car and take good care of it is by regular car servicing. Automotive experts and car manufacturers always recommend regular car servicing, even though it is not a legal requirement like the MOT. The biggest advantage of regular car servicing is that small issues of the vehicle are addressed and resolved before they turn into bigger problems. Car servicing, in other words, is seen as a proactive measure towards maintaining the car and ensuring high efficiency and a long life for the car. If we compare car servicing with the MOT test, car servicing stands out, as it is a more detailed procedure depending on the type of service that the vehicle requires. Some of them could be:

1.   Brakes and tyres: Although inspection of brakes and tyres is a part of the MOT test, during car servicing, these are more thoroughly checked. It checks if there is any wear and tear which might not have met the minimum criteria set for an MOT test.

2.   Filter replacement: During car servicing, several filters of the vehicle, such as the oil filter, pollen filter and air filter, are checked and replaced if necessary. This ensures the engine is free from contaminants.

3.   Fluid checks: Car service generally includes changing of engine oil and other important fluids like coolant, power steering fluid, brake fluid and windscreen washer fluid, among others.

4.   Replacements: One of the key benefits of car servicing is that it checks all components of the vehicle and identifies if there are any replacements required to be done.

5.   Engine check: The heart of any vehicle, which is the engine, is checked carefully; that also includes inspection of spark plugs, timing belts, and other components.

Here are three key benefits of taking your vehicle to the service station from time to time:

Saving from long-term cost: Car servicing is a great way to identify hidden issues that you were not even aware of. These issues, if not addressed at an early stage, usually snowball into a larger issue, which results in expensive repair costs. Thus, early detection saves a lot of money.

Fuel efficiency: Every car owner is keen to improve the fuel efficiency of their car. Regular car servicing is an ideal way to boost fuel efficiency. This is because the expert inspects issues and blockages and ensures better fuel efficiency of the car.

Prevents sudden breakdown: It has been found that in the UK, the reason behind the maximum breakdowns is the failure of key components of a vehicle. Thus, make sure your car is taken for service in its due time to ensure safety and prevent it from sudden breakdowns.

When Should I Service My Car?

• You need to have your car serviced if you see that the dashboard lights — such as the brakes, oil pressure, and check engine are on.
• There can be a problem with the braking system or tyres of your car, taking longer to stop after pressing the brakes.
• If you hear unusual vibrations or noises coming from your car.
• If you frequently have trouble starting your automobile, particularly in the morning, it may be due to a weak battery, a malfunctioning engine, or a starter motor.
• If you see black, white, or blue smoke coming from the vehicle, immediately get your car serviced.

Conclusion

The importance of car servicing and MOT tests cannot be ignored at any cost, as it keeps the performance and safety of the car. Being a law-abiding citizen, the MOT test certificate is mandatory, but this does not reduce the importance of regular car servicing in West Bromwich.