The MOT test is an end-of-year roll of the dice. Will it pass with flying colours with your favourite vehicle, or will it be repaired with a hefty bill and dreaded fail? Although certain failures are quite unforeseeable, a large share of them has a few common causes, which are, however, very simple to avoid, provided some proactive maintenance. By knowing how to deal with these pitfalls in advance, you will save time and money and avoid the inconvenience of being forced to retake it once more. Let's dive in.
Lighting and Signalling: Not to Be Left in the Dark
It may appear to be a given, but the faulty lights are always on the list of the leading causes of MOT failure. Whether the light is a headlight or a brake light, indicators and number plate lighting, all bulbs need to be in good working order, and properly oriented.
Why it fails:
- Blown bulbs: The most frequent criminal.
- Broken or missing lenses: This may interfere with the projection of light and also enable the entrance of moisture.
- Wrong colour: Aftermarket bulbs that produce unlawful colours.
- Headlights not on course: Florence in the sky is not allowed.
- Blinking lights: More often than not, it shows there is a problem with the wiring.
How to prevent it:
Get this as a monthly practice: Go round your car, flicking the on/off switches of each of the car lights (headlights - dipped and main beam, fog lights, indicators, hazards, brake lights, reverse light, and number plate lights). Have a friend or other family member assist in checking of brake lights. In case a bulb is not lit, change it immediately. It can be a quick DIY project when it comes to several bulbs, and a professional can fix it in a relatively short time.
Tyres: The Road Is Your Only Touch
Your car tyres are important and ensure your safety, as they give a grip on braking, steering, and acceleration. Since they have continuous exposure to conditions of different roads, they are prone to wear and damage.
Why it fails:
- Minimum depth of tread: the UK legal requirement is to have a minimum of 1.6 mm across the main three-quarters of the tread. An early warning can be provided by a quick 20p coin test (put the coin in the main tread grooves; when you can see the outer band of the coin, your tread is probably getting below 1.6 mm).
- Cuts, bulges or cracks: Any major damage to the sidewall or tread may interfere with the structural integrity of the tyre.
- Wrong tyre size/type: Tyres should correspond to the specification of the vehicle and have to fit an axle.
Bare Strands: A Certain and Serious Failure
How to prevent it:
Check the depth of your car's tyre tread regularly, as well as any damage that can be traced. Make sure that they are properly inflated as per the prescription of your vehicle manufacturer (refer to your vehicle owner's manual or a sticker on the door of a driver). Proper tyre pressure is also good for fuel economy and the life of the tyres. In case you are in doubt about your car tyres, visit a trustworthy garage that provides Car Servicing Peterborough so that they can inspect your car tyres.
Brakes: Brakes Are Necessary to Have Safe Stops
The braking system has the paramount position in safety. The MOT test would carefully examine the functionality and state of your brakes.
Why it fails:
- Overuse of pads or discs: When they become too thin, they will fail to protect the car.
- Leaking brake fluid: This is a sign of a malfunction of the hydraulic system, and it decreases the braking force.
- Worn or grabbed callipers: even braking is prevented, and pulling to one side may take place.
- ABS warning light on: A malfunction of the Anti-lock braking system.
- Imbalance on an axle: There is a great disparity between one side and the braking on the other side.
How to prevent it:
Listen to your brakes. The presence of any grinding, squeaking, or sponginess in the pedal must be examined at once. Watch the amount of brake fluid in the level (this is more of an indicator of a leak, rather than wear). Routine maintenance will involve a decent check of the brakes, which will enable them to detect wear early before it becomes hazardous, or they will fail the test of MOT.
Suspension and Steering: Holding You in Control
The systems work in combination to ensure that you have a comfortable ride and, more so, accurate control of your vehicle. The parts of the machine could be worn out, which may cause insecure handling and a life-threatening loss of control.
Why it fails:
- Worn shock absorbers: Cause problems of excessive bouncing or fluid leakages.
- broken or fractured coil springs: easy to see and affecting the stability.
- Overplay in steering parts: Ball joints, track rod ends, and steering racks.
- Broken or rusted parts on the suspension: any component that has broken structural integrity.
How to prevent it:
Be aware of your car driving behaviour. Does it feel 'floaty'? Does it pull to one side? Do you hear clunking sounds on bumps? All this is a sign of possible suspension or steering problems. Check the physically available components to be leaks. A professional will be able to detect small problems early, before they turn into significant safety risks or MOT failure locations.
Driver View: A Clear Strauss View
Safe driving is the most important thing to be visible. Any object that hampers the visibility of the driver on the road may cause an MOT failure.
Why it fails:
- Chips or cracks in the windscreen: Particularly when they fall within the so-called swept area of the wipers and are more than $10mm in length (or 40mm beyond the area).
- Wiper blades that fail to clear efficiently: Streaking or smearing.
- Hurdles: Sat-navs, air fresheners, or stickers that are either not where they should be.
- Broken door mirrors: Absence or grossly broken glass.
How to prevent it:
Get windscreen chips repaired when they occur. Most of them can be fixed before the chips spread. Changing the wiper blades once a year or earlier when they begin to be smeary. Make sure that there is no stuff in your way of the windscreen or mirror.
Conclusion
Although these five areas are the typical areas of failure, a full pre-MOT check is highly advisable. When you have an MOT Test Peterborough, have you thought about having your vehicle booked in to have a pre-MOT? Our trained technicians are capable of diagnosing and correcting minor problems before they cause an expensive retest, so your car will be safe, roadworthy, and pass its MOT test without any doubts. Drive safe!
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