An MOT is a test that aims to identify whether your car is considered roadworthy and whether it is safe and environmentally safe to be driven on the roads. Anything from minor faults like a broken light to major suspension and emission faults can cause you to fail your test and if this happens then you won’t receive a valid MOT. You will have to have the appropriate repairs made before you can have the car re-tested and drive it again.
It is a legal requirement that car owners have their cars tested every year if it is necessary. Generally speaking, once a car reaches the age of three years old it becomes a legal requirement to have the aforementioned test every twelve months. There are other laws that regulate taxis and the age at which these cars need to be tested but the general principle is the same.
The MOT tests the condition of your car. It considers hundreds of different aspects in a bid to ensure that every car on the road is roadworthy. Having a current MOT test certificate is not the only legal requirement a driver needs to meet and it is your responsibility to ensure that your vehicle meets the necessary standards throughout the year and up to the age when an MOT becomes necessary.
You should use a reputable and reliable MOT test centre. There are approximately 19,000 VOSA registered test centres to use. These centres are regulated by the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency or VOSA and they are checked routinely to ensure that they continue to meet the standards they need to in order to be considered for test centre licensing. It is imperative that the test centre you use is VOSA registered or your MOT may be invalid.
The best test centres will provide MOT help. Once the test has started you cannot interrupt the person conducting the test but once it is completed, they will be able to provide you with guidance and advice and, in a lot of cases, may be able to complete the repairs that will be needed before you have your car tested again.
For more MOT help visit MOTMOT.org.uk. You will find general guidelines on the testing procedure as well as some simple tips and measures that you can take to help ensure your car passes its test.