3 common MOT fails (and how to avoid them)

Here at Just the Ticket, our trusted mechanics complete just under 100 MOTs a week.

From hatchbacks to 4x4s and electric cars to fleet vehicles — we’re constantly loading motors onto our MOT ramps to check that the cars meet the road safety and environmental standards.

While most cars pass their MOT with flying colours, we have seen a handful of vehicles fail and it’s for reasons that could have otherwise been avoided.

To help make sure your motor passes its MOT, we’ve compiled some of the most common— yet avoidable — faults.

1. Keep up the tyre pressure

When was the last time you checked your tyre pressure? You should check your tyre pressure regularly and not just before a long-distance drive or your MOT.

Keeping your tyres inflated to the correct pressure can extend their life, keep your vehicle safe and maximise fuel efficiency — a factor that’s especially important, given that the UK’s fuel prices have reached an all-time high.

Wondering how to find out your motor’s correct tyre pressure? Take a look in your handbook or check inside the edge of the driver’s door.

2. Can you see clearly with your wiper blades?

Time and time again, wiper blades and other issues like chips in the driver’s windscreen which can obstruct view, are reasons for an MOT failure.

Your wipers might be an afterthought, but when they don’t work, (especially during the rainy seasons of the year, like autumn, winter and spring), they add up to a big problem.

It’s also worth double checking to make sure you have topped up your windscreen washer fluid before your MOT test, too.

3. Here’s a bright idea — check your lights

According to the RAC, nearly a fifth of all cars that fail their MOT are because of an issue with their lights, like a blown bulb.

However, this is an easy factor to check. Before taking your car for its MOT, turn all the lights on and check to see if they are in working order.

Along with your front headlights, check:

1. Your indicators are working correctly

2. Your number plate light is lit up

3. Your brake lights are visible

What exactly is an MOT?

Under current regulations, vehicles older than three years old must have an up-to-date MOT certificate every year. Generally speaking, the standard cost for cars is around £55 and £30 for motorbikes.

The MOT test checks that your vehicle – whether it’s a car, motorcycle or van – meets all the road safety and environmental standards.

Without a valid MOT Certificate, your vehicle insurance is invalid and it’s illegal for you to drive on public roads without an up-to-date one.

What does it check?

During an MOT Test, DVSA approved testers (like Just the Ticket) will look at all the important functions of your car to ensure that they meet the legal requirements.

• Body or vehicle structure and general items

• Fuel system

• Exhaust emissions

• Exhaust system

• Seat belts

• Seats

• Doors

• Mirrors

• Load security

• Brakes

• Tyres and wheels

• Registration plates

• Lights

• Bonnet

• Wipers and washers

• Windscreen

• Horn

• Steering and suspension

In need of an MOT?

You can check whether your vehicle needs a MOT by heading over to the DVLA website and typing in your reg.

“But the earlier you book in, the better,” Paul Onslow-Cole co-founder of Just the Ticket says. “You can get your vehicle booked in for an MOT a month before it goes out of date and we’ll still honour your last month, meaning you can go 13th months before booking in for your next one.”

Book in for your MOT

We’d be happy to look after your vehicle at Just the Ticket – you can book online or give us a call on 0208 336 1111.

The cost of an MOT at Just the Ticket was £45. We have now cut the cost by just over £5, taking it down to £39.99. Get in touch today.